Dubbed 'irreplaceable,' planner Stuart Beckley says goodbye to Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON - Stuart Beckley spent his last day as city planner much as he did many others in his 22 years on the job: attending meetings, coordinating details with other city officials and meeting with potential bidders for an affordable housing project on Everett Street.

Beckley, 50, of Sunderland, starts a new job as Ware's town manager Monday.

Sunderland puts out call for used DVDs to stock library

SUNDERLAND - The Sunderland Public Library wants to boost its DVD selection and is putting out the call for donations. Adam Novitt, the library's new director, said that while the library has about 1,200 videos in its collection, only about 100 of those get checked out with any regularity.

Sunderland man cleared for trial in 20-year-old case

NORTHAMPTON - A Sunderland man charged with sexually assaulting a girl more than 20 years ago has been declared competent to stand trial.

Jose L. Calderon, 48, of 248 Amherst Road, has been held at the Hampshire County House of Correction in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $25,000 surety since his arrest in October.

Open house planned for Sunderland Fire Department

SUNDERLAND - The Sunderland Fire Department will hold an open house on Saturday geared for anyone interested in volunteering with the department from noon to 2 p.m. at the fire station at 105 River Road.

New Sunderland director a believer in 'preposterous' notion of libraries

SUNDERLAND - Adam Novitt says that if someone were to invent a library tomorrow, people might think they were crazy.

The idea of every town having a nice building where people volunteer their time and distribute copyrighted material for free and sometimes charge only a small fee if that material is returned late seems laughable on its surface, Novitt says.

Briefs

SPECIAL ED CONCERNS: The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is encouraging parents and guardians to attend a meeting with attorney Michael Weisman Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Bangs Community Center.

Amherst investment firm owner faces accusation of defrauding clients

AMHERST - The owner of an Amherst investment firm faces an accusation that he defrauded clients of over $1 million, as the secretary of state's office alleges that he earned "hundreds of thousands of dollars" by advising clients to buy "worthless stock" in his firm.