EASTHAMPTON — Growing up, Luzed Guzman Romano was raised to believe that she could do and become anything she put her mind to.

Her mother grew up in a modest home in Puerto Rico, came to New York at around 15 years old, and had Guzman Romano at 19 years old.

“I just want to use my voice to create opportunities for people like my mom,” Guzman Romano said.

On Friday, the Easthampton resident was sworn in as a Hampshire-Franklin County Regional Commissioner for the Status of Women and Girls, a regional commission that represents women and girls, recommends policies that benefit women, and holds hearings and public forums as necessary.

Guzman Romano currently chairs of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, where she has leads various committees. She also works full time at an insurance agency, and has prior political experience as finance director for the committee to elect Jesse Lederman to City Council At-Large.

“I grew up in a really political family,” Guzman Romano said, adding that her grandfather is former longtime state Rep. Benjamin Swan Sr.

She has also worked as a part-time counselor providing direct care on nights and weekends to teen mothers experiencing homelessness and immigrant mothers.

“I think that I’ve been granted a lot of opportunities in my life that have really allowed me to flourish,” she said. “I just think that it’s important if you’ve been allowed any opportunity in your life to use your voice for those who do not have the same opportunities that you have, and to create a better world.”

As a commissioner, she will be tasked with evaluating legislation and advocating on behalf of women in Massachusetts, according to Guzman Romano.

Out of a number of legislative priorities of the commission, all of which Guzman Romano is enthusiastic about, she is particularly passionate about a bill that would support parents running for public office.

The bill would allow candidates to use campaign funds for their child care needs, which “would really put inclusion into practice and remove barriers in order to see increased representation of women in elected roles,” Guzman Romano.

“I think we owe it to our sisters to use our voice to make things better for them,” she said.

Climate Action Planworkshop to be held

EASTHAMPTON — In its continued development of a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, the city will hold its next community workshop this Thursday, at 6 p.m., at 50 Payson Ave. and virtually.

The plan, the first of its kind for the city, will serve as a roadmap for city officials, residents and businesses to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, by examining work already done and identifying next steps for the city, including making the most of coming state and federal incentives.

At the workshop — which will be the third and last in the series of community input sessions — representatives from the contracted engineering firm Weston & Sampson will present specific action items to be included in the final plan.

Such actions include infrastructure projects, tree-saving ordinances, new zoning rules and much more.

Attendees will have the opportunity to weigh in and help prioritize those actions, as well as suggest any additional actions that could be included.

Residents, landlords and business owners are encouraged to attend the workshop, where food and child care will be available. More information on the Climate Action Plan can be found at https://easthamptonma.gov/728/Climate-Action-Plan.

Tax work-off program

EASTHAMPTON — Homeowners ages 60 and older interested in working a few hours weekly at the senior center, city hall, parks, library or public safety complex may be eligible to apply for the city’s senior tax work-off program.

Workers in the program who complete the maximum of 100 hours receive a $1,500 credit on their fiscal year 2025 property taxes, and those who work fewer than 100 hours will receive a prorated credit.

Position start dates vary, and work will take place in 2024 through Oct. 15, with some seasonal positions.

To be eligible, applicants must have an annual gross income not exceeding $65,590 for a one-person household and $74,960 for a two-person household; own a home in Easthampton; and have current property taxes and water and sewer payments.

The program is limited to one $1,500 work-off per household.

Applications are due no later than Dec. 14, and can be found at the Council on Aging, City Hall, or online at https://easthamptonma.gov/Docu mentCenter/View/6582/STWO-Application-and-Policy-20 24.