A Look Back: July 15

50 Years Ago

■A formal application for a construction permit was filed yesterday with the federal government to build a $1.52 billion nuclear generating plant in Montague. The application, filed by Northeast Utilities, indicates that the proposed 2.3-million-kilowatt power plant would be in operation by the early 1980s if approved.

■The Northampton License Commission Tuesday night granted transfer of an all-alcoholic license from Mike’s Tavern Inc. to Mr. and Mrs. Roger W. Kirkwood of Longmeadow who will operate the new bar and restaurant at the same location, 123 Main St. It will be called Joshua’s Inc.

25 Years Ago

■The looming threat as the state prepares for the new century is not that all computer systems will crash on Jan. 1, but that the public’s overreaction will cause a drain on water, money or other resources, a state administration official told lawmakers. “If everybody withdraws 20 gallons of water in mid-December in anticipation of Jan. 2, because they think their water’s going to shut down, you know the effect it will have on the public water system,” said Andrew Natsios.

■A young bull moose died on Main Street in Florence this morning. The moose ran out of a small park near Trinity Row at a full gallop and was struck by a van heading north, according to witnesses. The van sustained heavy damage, but there were no reported human injuries.

10 Years Ago

■City residents hope a planned redesign of Pulaski Park will transform the centrally situated plot of land into the downtown destination it has the potential to become. The project’s budget, estimated to be more than $2 million, was made possible when the state recently changed the Community Preservation Act funding requirements to allow grants to renovate parks.

■Residents anticipating their first stormwater bill this summer will have to wait until the fall. That’s because of a delay in the process needed to set up the new stormwater and flood control enterprise fund approved by the City Council in March.