■The first town in Hampshire County to name a general rationing board is Hatfield. Selectman Chairman A. Cory Bardwell said that the board “is to be in readiness” as requested by Civil Defense authorities.
■Worthington Judge Jon Wiig ruled Tuesday that the $184,000 the Northampton Redevelopment Authority offered Chester Szawlowski in 1971 for 60.8 acres of land near Bates Street was insufficient. He stated that Szawlowski and five co-plaintiffs “are entitled to damages in the amount of $500,000.” The Redevelopment Authority said Thursday they will appeal the ruling.
■Half of the 32 carved stone eagles that gaze over traffic from pylons above the Coolidge Bridge stand to have their wings clipped when the span is widened — a change opposed by local historians. The clip job is forced by a need to gain an additional lane of traffic. Nine inches would be removed from each bird’s plumage as the existing pylons are narrowed in width.
■After working on the deal since 1992, Northampton is now the owner of approximately 26 acres of land at the former Northampton State Hospital. The biggest and most valuable parcels are two that include the Community Gardens and open land that the city intends for use as playing fields.
■The position of town crier in Northampton is nearing an end. The mostly ceremonial position is about to be eliminated by the City Council. In this day of social media, a town crier is unnecessary, said City Council President William H. Dwight. “We have no need for a town crier.”
■Seventh grade students on the Green Revolution team at JFK Middle School will present a check next week to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts for $1,071 — the results of a fund drive they organized earlier this fall.