About 4,000 registered voters will be voting at a different location.

Republican file photo

CHICOPEE – Thousands of registered voters will cast ballots in new polling places because population shifts in the city required changes in wards and precincts.

An estimated 4,000 registered voters were switched to different wards or precincts. The 2,016 households with voters will receive letters in the mail soon giving them information about where they are to vote for the March 6 presidential primary election, said Janina Surdyka, registrar of voters.

One of the biggest changes was part of Ward 3A was moved into Ward 2B. About 660 households were affected by the change, including those on Coolidge and Gardner streets, Szetela Drive and Lawrence Road, she said.

About 590 households formerly in Ward 4C will vote at the former Chicopee High School instead of their former location at the Central Baptist Church, she said.

“We switched from three precincts to two precincts and Ward 4C was merged into Ward 4A and Ward 4B,” she said.

Some of the polling locations were changed as well. For example, all residents of Ward 4 will vote in the same place at the former high school, Surdyka said.

There were other changes that will affect a smaller number of people since the city went from 26 voting precincts to 18, she said.

Census figures showed Chicopee remained virtually the same size with 55,298 people counted in 2010, but it was necessary to redraw lines because populations shifted within wards. Each ward had to have about 6,144 residents, and each precinct about 3,000 people.

Because the number of wards and polling places has been cut, some of the part-time poll workers will no longer be needed, City Clerk Keith Rattell said.

The clerk’s office sent letters to a number of workers telling them the precinct where they served has been consolidated into another and they would not be needed on Election Day.

“Not wanting to lose good people, we are compiling a list of those who would still like to serve as poll workers as others retire or don’t wish to serve any longer,” Rattell said in the letter.

One of the reasons for consolidating precincts was to save money and be able to set aside some voting machines to be used in case another breaks. The move will save $3,570 per election in poll workers salaries, Rattell said.

Here is a list of major municipal meetings for the coming week: Agawam Tues.- Beautification Committee, 9 a.m., Department of Public Works at 1000 Suffield St. Agawam Disability Commission, 4 p.m., Senior Center. Agawam Housing Authority, 4:30 p.m., 66 Meadowbrook Manor City Council, 7 p.m., Roberta G. Doering School. Thu.- Conservation Commission, 6:30 p.m., Agawam Public Library. Amherst Tues.-...

Republican file photoHolyoke City Hall

Here is a list of major municipal meetings for the coming week:

Agawam

Tues.- Beautification Committee, 9 a.m., Department of Public Works at 1000 Suffield St.

Agawam Disability Commission, 4 p.m., Senior Center.

Agawam Housing Authority, 4:30 p.m., 66 Meadowbrook Manor

City Council, 7 p.m., Roberta G. Doering School.

Thu.- Conservation Commission, 6:30 p.m., Agawam Public Library.

Amherst

Tues.- Amherst Housing Authority, 33 Kellogg Ave.

Wed.- Board of Assessors, 5 p.m., Town Hall.

Planning Board and Zoning Subcommittee, 5 p.m., Town Hall.

Thu.- Zoning Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall.

Board of Health, 7 p.m., Bangs Community Center.

Chicopee

Tues.- City Council, 7:15 p.m., City Hall.

Wed.- Sewer Commission, 5:30 p.m., 80 Medina St.

Water Commission, 5:30 p.m. 115 Baskin Drive.

Cultural Council, 6:30 p.m., 449 Front St.

Thu.- Finance Committee, 6:30 p.m., City Hall.

East Longmeadow

Wed.- Conservation Commission, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Easthampton

Tues.- Zoning Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m., Municipal Building.

Wed.- City Council Finance Committee, 6 p.m., Municipal Building.

Granby

Tues.- Selectboard, 6:30 p.m., Senior Center

Board of Assessors, 7 p.m., Town Hall Annex

Wed.- Library Building Committee, 6 p.m., Public Safety Building

Greenfield

Tues.- Greenfield School Building Committee, 5:30 p.m., Town Hall.

License Committee, 6 p.m., 14 Court Square.

Thu.- Council on Aging, 2 p.m., Senior Center.

Hadley

Tues.- Planning Board, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Select Board, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Board of Health, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Sat.- Finance Committee, 8 a.m., Senior Center.

Hatfield

Tues.- Board of Selectmen, 9 a.m., Memorial Hall.

Board of Health, 9:30 a.m., Memorial Hall.

Housing Authority, 6:30 p.m., 2 School St.

Sat.- Board of A Selectmen, 9 a.m., Hatfield Elementary School.

Holyoke

Tues.- Fire Commission, 6 p.m., Fire Department headquarters, 600 High St.

City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall, City Council Chambers.

Thu.- Handicap Commission, 6 p.m., City Hall, City Council Chambers.

City Council Redevelopment Committee, 6:30 p.m., City Hall, City Council Chambers.

Monson

Tues.- Planning Board, 7 p.m., Hillside School.

Wed.- Veterans Services District, 7 p.m., Hillside School.

Assessors, 2 p.m., Hillside School.

Thu.- Zoning Board of Appeals, 7:30 p.m., Hillside School.

Northampton

Tues.- Transportation and Parking Commission, 4 p.m., Council Chambers.

Smith Agricultural Vocational High School, 5 p.m., Vocational High School

Wed.- Board of Public Works, 5:30 p.m., 123 Locust St.

Human Rights Commission, 7 p.m., City Hall.

Thu.- Conservation Commission, 5 p.m., Council Chambers.

Zoning Board of Appeals, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers.

Planning Board, 7 p.m., Council Chambers.

South Hadley

Mon.- Capital Planning Committee, 5 p.m., Town Hall 204

Tues.- Community and Economic Development Commission, 3 p.m., Town Hall 109

Solid Waste Advisory Committee, 5:30 p.m., 10 Industrial Drive

Sustainability and Energy Commission, 6 p.m., Town Hall 204

School Committee, 6:30 p.m., South Hadley High School Library

Wed.- Town Meeting Electronic Communication Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m., Police Station

Thu.- Fire District 1 Prudential Committee, 6 p.m., 144 Newton St.

Selectboard, 7 p.m., Town Hall

Fri.- Selectboard, 7:30 a.m., Town Hall

Springfield

Tues.- City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee, 3 p.m., room 200, City Hall.

Springfield Redevelopment Authority, 4:30 p.m., conference room, 18 Saab Court.

Springfield Parking Authority, 5:30 p.m., authority office, 150 Bridge St.

Wed.- Superintendent search hearing, 5:30 p.m., Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, 1300 State St.

Thu.- City Council Committee on Elder Affairs, 2 p.m., Greenleaf Community Center, 1188 Parker St.

City Council General Government Committee, 5 p.m., Room 200, City Hall.

Superintendent search hearing, 5:30 p.m. Frederick Harris School, 58 Hartford Terrace.

Fri.- City Council Human Services Committee, 12:30 p.m., community room, 18 Saab Court.

Warren

Tues.- Warren Water District, 1 p.m., 20 Old West Brookfield Road.

Assessors, 4 p.m., Shepard Municipal Building.

Wed.- Planning Board, 6 p.m., Shepard Municipal Building.

West Springfield

Tues.- West Springfield Arts Council, 6:30 p.m., municipal building.

Board of License Commissioners, 7 p.m., municipal building.

Planning and Construction Committee, 7 p.m., municipal building.

Board of Library Trustees, 7 p.m., West Springfield Public Library.

Town Council, 7 p.m., municipal building.

The addition will allow the college to expand its popular nursing programs.

Republican staff photo by Dave RobackThe new science building will be attached with an indoor walkway to the existing Berchman's Hall, pictured here, at Elms College.

CHICOPEE – Elms College will build a new $13.5 million science building that officials say will enhance the school’s science offerings and allow it to expand its popular nursing programs.

Construction is scheduled to begin in June and the building is expected to be ready for classes in January 2014, Elms College President Sister Mary Reap said.

The building is to measure about 22,000 square feet and will be connected to the existing Berchman’s Hall with a pass-through hallway. The project also calls for renovations to the older building, she said.

The science building will have modern laboratories and other academic rooms with high-tech equipment. Parts of it will be designed for the nursing program, which is the most popular major at Elms College, she said.

“This building will help us with career preparation and help our programs to grow,” Sister Reap said.

The building will allow the college to offer new academic programs in health care, including its first doctoral program for students who want to become nurse practitioners, she said.

All of the school’s science classes will be held in the new building, so almost all of the about 1,500 full and part-time students at Elms College will use the new building, Sister Reap said.

Construction is expected to be funded with a combination of loans, fund-raising and a federal program that will give the school tax credits. Because Elms is a non-profit organization and does not pay taxes, the school will be able to sell the credits to other businesses to raise money for construction, said Kevin M. Edwards, vice president of the office of institutional advancement.

Recently, the City Council voted unanimously to expand its Economic Opportunity Area to include the Elms campus, which will make the school eligible for the tax credit program. In the application for the designation, it said the project will create an estimated 117 construction jobs and 18 permanent jobs.

City Councilors and Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette said the expansion of the college helps build the education corridor in the Springfield Street area that also includes Holyoke Catholic High School. It should also help with efforts to improve the nearby downtown Chicopee.

In his state of the city address last week, Bissonnette called Elms College the city’s “hidden jewel,” and said he was happy that the city and school are partners.

“It is going to benefit the city as well as the college,” City Councilor James K. Tillotson during the discussion about creating the economic opportunity area.

City Council President George R. Moreau agreed saying “It is a win-win situation for us.”

Asher is charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous in connection with the arrest of Melvin Jones III during a traffic stop in Springfield 2009.

The Republican | John Suchocki02.21.2012 | CHICOPEE - Former Springfield police officer Jeffrey M. Asher in Chicopee District Court Tuesday for the beginning of his trial on assault charges stemming from the 2009 arrest of Melvin Jones III.

CHICOPEE - Jury selection began Tuesday morning in the trial of retired Springfield police officer Jeffrey M. Asher.

Asher is charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for allegations he beat Melvin Jones III during a traffic stop in Springfield 2009.

The trial is being held in Chicopee District Court with District Court Judge Maureen Walsh specially assigned to the case.

Asher left the police force on a stress-related disability retirement in 2009 days after an amateur video of the traffic stop surfaced.

When Walsh asked if any of the 50 people in the jury pool had heard or read about the case, only seven people raised their hands. When she asked if anyone had formed an opinion no hands were raised.

The video, made public by The Republican and MassLive.com, showed Asher apparently beating Jones with a police flashlight after a car in which Jones was a passenger had been pulled over on Rifle Street.

The police said Jones, who had a criminal record, made a grab for one of their guns.
Jones is in the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow awaiting trial on a drug case unrelated to the traffic stop that is the focus of the Asher trial.

Walsh allowed a pretrial motion by prosecutor Elizabeth Dunphy Farris requesting that when Jones testifies in this trial, he not be handcuffed or shackled -- so there will be no way for jurors to know he is incarcerated.

Asher is represented by lawyer Thomas Monahan III.

When a jury is selected jurors will be brought to view the site of the traffic stop. They will also see the amateur video.

Opening statements will be heard Wednesday, followed by the beginning of testimony.

The Republican/Dave RobackJeffrey M. Asher, Elizabeth Dunphy Farris and Thomas W. Monahan III, front, during view on Rifle Street at start of Asher's trial

CHICOPEE – Jurors in the police brutality trial of former Springfield police officer Jeffrey M. Asher were taken by bus Tuesday afternoon to view the Springfield street where Asher is alleged to have assaulted a man during a traffic stop.

Asher is charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the November 2009 arrest of Melvin Jones III, of Springfield, on Rifle Street.

Prosecutor Elizabeth Dunphy Farris and defense lawyer Joseph W. Monahan III will give opening statements and testimony will begin Wednesday.

Jury selection began Tuesday morning in Chicopee District Court and was complete by mid-day, when four men and three women were seated.

In district courts, the deliberating jury has six members. One extra juror was selected in case for any reason a juror has to be excused during the trial.

An amateur video of the arrest made public by The Republican and MassLive.com showed Asher apparently beating Jones with a police flashlight after a car in which Jones was a passenger had been pulled over on Rifle Street.

Police maintained that the use of force came after Jones attempted to flee the scene and tried to grab an officer’s gun in the scuffle that ensued.

Jones' injuries included damage to an eye, eye socket and face.

Asher left the police force on a stress-related leave in January 2010, days after the amateur video of the traffic stop surfaced. Nine months later, the Springfield Retirement Board approved Asher's application for disability retirement.

The trial is being held in Chicopee District Court with District Court Judge Maureen E. Walsh specially assigned to the case. The case is in Chicopee District Court to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Three other white Springfield police officers faced internal department discipline in connection with the Jones matter. Those officers received suspensions by Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet, but avoided criminal charges.

Asher was fired by Fitchet, but Asher received state disability retirement approval.

Jones, who will testify, is currently in the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow awaiting trial on an unrelated drug case.

Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni had dismissed drug and resisting arrest charges against Jones from the Nov. 27, 2009, arrest on Rifle Street.

“These charges relate to an incident which also gave rise to one of the arresting officers (Asher) being charged criminally for his alleged conduct during the arrest,” Mastroianni said at the time.

He said available evidence didn’t allow for “consistent and credible prosecutions of both defendants (Asher and Jones) related to this incident.”

Funding to the Meals on Wheels program would mean the loss of more than 200,000 meals per year.

Photo by Michael S. Gordon / The RepublicanLunch time at the Pleasant View Senior Center in East Longmeadow. The state is considering cutting funding to meal programs in 2013.

Marge Sheehan, of East Longmeadow, has lunch at the Pleasant View Senior Center on North Main Street every day at noon. For Sheehan, and many seniors, lunch is a chance to get out of the house, meet with friends and eat an inexpensive and healthy meal.

“It’s a lifeline,” said Sheehan, who has also volunteered to prepare the meals for the Meals on Wheels program. “It gives me a chance to socialize, eat a healthy meal and have a good time with friends.”

Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 includes a 24 percent cut to funds that pay for Meals on Wheels and congregate meal programs like the one at Pleasant View. Elder care service providers said the cuts would be devastating to the program.

“This is an important nutrition program, but also an important socialization program for seniors,” said Albert Norman, the executive director of Mass Home Care. “Whether they go to a congregate meal site or they get a meal delivered at home it is an opportunity to interact with other people.”

Norman said Patrick’s budget slashes the elder nutrition program by $1.5 million, from the fiscal year 2012 level of $6.3 million, to $4.8 million in fiscal year 2013.

“The loss of funding will cut nearly a quarter a million meals in 2013. Total meals served to seniors will plummet from 996,000 meals in 2012, to 754,000 meals in 2013, a loss of 242,000 meals,” he said.

Mass Home Care works with WestMass ElderCare, Greater Springfield Senior Services, Highland Valley Elder Services, Franklin County Home Care Corporation and Elder Services of Berkshire County, which in turn provide funds for meals at individual towns in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties.

WestMass ElderCare Executive Director Priscilla L. Chalmers said her organization is responsible for meals in Belchertown, Chicopee, Granby, Holyoke, Ludlow, South Hadley and Ware. They also provide funds for Lorraine’s Kitchen in Chicopee and Kate’s Kitchen and the Salvation Army in Holyoke. In fiscal year 2011 they served 380,320 meals.

“We do get federal funding and some local donations, but we rely heavily on funds from the state,” Chalmers said. “This would be a devastating loss for us.”

Photo by Michael S. Gordon / The RepublicanLunch time at the Pleasant View Senior Center in East Longmeadow.

Chalmers said the program helps seniors stay in their homes for longer.

“By providing them a daily meal we help keep them out of nursing homes,” she said.

John Lutz, executive director of Highland Valley Elder Services, which serves twenty-four communities in Hampshire and Hampden county including Northampton, Hadley, Amherst, Southwick, Westfield and Easthampton, said they serve about 950 meals a day with 826 of those being home delivered and 124 at congregate meal sites. He said this is the first time in years that the state has considered cutting funding to the program.

“Seniors are very aware that there could be a cut and we are encouraging people to advocate for the program by calling their local legislatures and telling them how important the meals are,” he said.

Ruth Pessolano, Connie Garcia, Marilyn Cramblit and Kay Murphy meet for lunch every day at Pleasant View. They are aware of the possible funding cut and said they will write letters to their legislatures and promote the program any way they can.

“If it wasn’t for this program I don’t know where I would be,” Murphy said.

Garcia said the program gets her out of the house and into the senior center where she can then participate in a variety of activities throughout the day.

Local senior center directors like Carolyn Brennan, who runs Pleasant View, said the funds are essential to for operating the program.

Brennan said she budgets about $100,000 a year for the meals program. The money comes from federal and state grants as well as donations. They do not receive money from the town’s general fund, she said.

Brennan said she receives about $20,000 from the state to run the program.

“If we lost that it would be a huge blow to us. I don’t think we could supplement such a large amount,” she said.

Senior center’s like Pleasant View receive the grants from Greater Springfield Senior Services, one of the organizations Mass Home Care supports.

“We provide grants for East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Monson, West Springfield and Agawam,” said Elaine Massery, the executive director of Greater Springfield Senior Services.

Massery coordinates 20,000 meals per day through the congregate sites, but mostly through the Meals on Wheels program. The organization directly serves communities including Springfield, Wilbraham, Palmer, Wales, Holland, Brimfield and Hampden.

Massery said the program receives about $315,000 in state funds. With Patrick’s cut they would lose about $75,000 dollars.

“If we lose that money some things will have to change. We will have to look more closely at who is getting meals, we might require our drivers to take on more meal deliveries,” she said. “This has never been an issue before, so we will have to come up with some other options.”

Chalmers hopes an event put on by WestMass ElderCare in March will bring awareness to the importance of the program.

“On March 23 we will be organizing an event called March for Meals where we will invite elected officials to assist us in delivering meals to people. It will give them a chance to speak with seniors about the value of this program,” she said.

Brennan said she is working with the Meals on Wheels Association of America to raise awareness about the importance of the program.

“This is more than just a meal, it serves as a method of socialization and a well-being check,” Brennan said. “Often times our drivers will stop by to deliver a meal and find an elderly person on the floor or in need of medical help. For some seniors this is the only person they will talk to in day.”

Norman said he will be going to Beacon Hill to defend the program before the Senate and the House of Representatives make a decision on whether to cut funding.

“We are ready to fight for this program,” he said.

The information sessions are designed to help citizens and contractors learn more about funding opportunities to help rebuild properties damaged in the June 1 tornadoes.

June 1, 2011 - Springfield - Republican staff photo by Michael S. Gordon - Main St. in the South End in the aftermath of the first tornado that ripped through Springfield Wednesday afternoon.

SPRINGFIELD – A tornado recovery information session will take place Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m., at St. Anthony's Social Hall, 375 Island Pond Road, according to Thomas T. Walsh, communications director for Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

Another session for members of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Western Massachusetts is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee.

Both sessions will include information about how to access rebuilding funds in the wake of the June 1 tornadoes that carved a path of destruction through western Massachusetts. Sections of Springfield — particularly the South End, Six Corners and East Forest Park neighborhoods — were hit hard by the twisters. Downtown Monson also was in the line of fire, and much of the hillside terrain surrounding the center hardly resembles the pre-tornado landscape.

The information sessions are a cooperative effort by Rebuild Western Massachusetts, the state Department of Energy Resources and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

Representatives from Rebuild Western Massachusetts will be on hand to discuss topics ranging from energy efficiency to how citizens and contractors can tap into grants and no-interest loans to rebuild homes and commercial properties damaged by the tornadoes. Funding is available for such projects as insulation, high-efficiency heating and hot water systems, Energy Star windows and doors, and solar electric and water heating systems.

Last year was the fourth deadliest tornado year ever recorded in the U.S., with more than 500 casualties and more than 1,700 tornadoes across the country. Tornadoes are caused when warm, moist air collides with cold, dry air. Also, the weather phenomenon known as La Niña — when the sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean around the equator are below normal — was particularly strong last year and is believed to have contributed to the high number of tornadoes.

The all-time record was set in 2004, when more than 1,800 tornadoes touched down across the nation.

Information about rebuilding assistance is available at www.mass.gov/energy/ReBuildWesternMA, or by calling (877) 524-1325 or emailing rebuildwma@icfi.com.

The Town Council president said he has contacted five to eight entities about potential economic development opportunities in Palmer.

Paul Burns

PALMER – Town Council President Paul E. Burns thinks Mohegan Sun should find a partner, or investor, if it wants to make its plan to build a resort casino here a reality.

He also is trying to find other casino developers who might be interested in creating a proposal for other available sites in town, either to compete against Mohegan, or work with them.

"I think we have to cover all our bases," Burns said.

“I’m really just trying to encourage other development. Whether it supports or competes with Mohegan Sun isn’t my concern. My concern is that we generate some strong economic development opportunities in the town,” Burns said.

Burns said he thinks it's important to have the best casino proposal, as Palmer is now competing with Brimfield (MGM Resorts International), Springfield (Ameristar)and Holyoke (Hard Rock), and potentially Chicopee, for the lone Western Massachusetts casino license.

Two months ago, Burns said, he called on Mohegan Sun to "step up or step out" and prove it has the financing to make the project happen. Burns said the project has gotten smaller since it was first unveiled in 2007 - it once was advertised as an $1 billion resort casino and it has been scaled down to $500 million to $600 million. Meanwhile, Connecticut-based Mohegan is trying to refinance approximately $1.1 billion of debt, but has extended the deadline for the bond exchange several times. The latest deadline was Feb. 22.

Moody's Investor Service downgraded the company's heavy debt last spring, citing increased competition and declining gambling revenues.

Burns issued a press release recently – leaving off his title as Town Council president - saying that “to ensure Palmer is chosen it will be vitally important for Mohegan Sun to partner with other developers who can support this vision.” He wrote that he believes this approach would stand out to the Gaming Commission, which will award casino licenses.

“I urge Mohegan to be open to this concept and I urge other interested developers, whether in the casino, hospitality or some other field, to visit Palmer and see all we have to offer. As always I would be happy to meet with anyone looking to bring economic development opportunities to town,” Burns wrote in the release.

Burns then named what the advantages he thinks the Palmer site has over competing casino proposals – a dedicated Massachusetts turnpike exit, strong community support, existing infrastructure, a large site, zoning that allows such a development and ample land throughout the community for development of projects to support the casino.

Burns later said he left off his title in the press release because he says he is not speaking for the council, and these are his own actions.

He said he has made calls to five to eight entities - developers of casinos and hotels that he would not name – in which he identified himself as the Town Council president and discussed economic development opportunities in Palmer.

“I’m encouraging a dialogue about opportunities in Palmer,” Burns said.

Burns named the former Olsen Farm off Route 20, or land right off the turnpike exit, as potential alternative casino or development locations.

James L. St. Amand, community liaison for Northeast Realty, which is leasing the land to Mohegan Sun for a resort casino, said Mohegan’s financial woes are no secret, and said he feels Burns is showing “strong leadership” by seeking a partner for Mohegan or other developers.

“I think it’s appropriate as the Town Council president for the economic development for Palmer. And hopefully Mohegan will step up and clarify their financial situation so we can move forward,” St. Amand said.

Mitchell Etess, chief executive officer of Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, said in a statement that “We believe Mohegan Sun Palmer represents the best opportunity for Western Massachusetts to generate economic development from expanded gaming, including the potential for complementary development of other nearby parcels by other entities.”

“We continue to be pleased with the strong support we have in the community as we make progress on a host community agreement,” Etess continued.

Jones said he remembers nothing after the first hit to his head, until he woke up in Baystate Medical Center.

CHICOPEE – Melvin Jones III sat on the witness stand in Chicopee District Court – a short distance from former Springfield police officer Jeffrey M. Asher – and said he was struck in the head with a flashlight as he was pinned by officers on the hood of a police car.

“They had me pinned down on the car. I couldn’t move. They had control of me,” Jones said Wednesday at the police brutality trial of Asher.

Jones said he remembers nothing after the first hit to his head, until he woke up in Baystate Medical Center.

In opening statements first thing Wednesday, prosecutor Elizabeth Dunphy Farris said Asher made decisions, including hitting Jones, who was not resisting at the time.

She said Asher used unreasonable force and injured Jones seriously by hitting him repeatedly with a flashlight.

Defense lawyer Joseph W. Monahan III told jurors Asher believed rightfully he had to use deadly force to diffuse a dangerous situation.

“He hit him hard. He hurt him. He hit him again. There’s no question about that,” Monahan said. He said Asher wanted to keep Jones from grabbing any officer’s gun.

The seven jurors were brought to the back of the courthouse to see a green Ford Taurus, the police vehicle Jones was held against when hit with the flashlight.

There were some clearly visible dents in the hood of the car, where Jones was held and struck.

Asher is charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the November 2009 traffic stop of Jones on Rifle Street in Springfield.

An amateur video of the arrest made public by The Republican and MassLive.com appears to show Jones, who is black, being struck during an arrest by four white officers.

Tyrisha T. Greene, the woman who lived on Rifle Street and shot the video, testified that Jones was hit 16 or 17 times with a flashlight.

Jones testified he never attempted to grab any officers gun. He said he got out of the car in which he was riding when police asked, and was pat frisked at the back of that car.

When an officer grabbed his waistband he ran because he was afraid he would be beaten, Jones said.

Officers quickly caught him and put him on the hood of the police vehicle, he said.

Jones had surgery for an orbital bone broken in his eye in December 2009. He had a broken nose. He could not see out of his right eye at that time because of swelling.

He said today he has blurry vision in the right eye and can’t see in some spots. Dunphy Farris circulated pictures of Jones’ injuries to jurors.

Jones left finger was broken and he said he can’t close it completely even though he had surgery. His two front teeth were broken.

Jurors watched the video taken by Greene, and enhanced by a company hired by the prosecution. They were given earphones to better hear the audio portion.

Monahan told jurors in his opening they will, when deliberating, go over and over what Asher did. He said Asher had to make a split second decision, because “who knows what could have happened.”

The trial continues Thursday with the prosecution’s last two witnesses. Then the defense will being its case.

It may be difficult to find classroom space to expand the program.

CHICOPEE – School officials are hoping to expand early childhood programs to give more students a better start in school.

Among the initiatives being used to improve local schools, Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette said in his state of the city speech last week that he hopes to receive the money to expand the early childhood program so the city can offer high-quality preschool to more children who need it most.

This year, Gov. Deval L. Patrick put $10 million in his budget for initiatives at schools in the so-called 24 Gateway Cities that are mostly former mill cities with a high population of low-income residents who have low educational levels and often speak little English.

Richard W. Rege Jr.

The money is earmarked for expanded early childhood programs, career awareness classes and summer and after-school programs to help children learn English.

Bissonnette said he is hoping especially for money that will allow the early childhood programs for 3- and 4-year-olds to expand, saying children who start kindergarten behind their peers who have attended preschool have a hard time catching up; and if they do not, they tend to do poorly in elementary school and frequently drop out of high school.

“If they are not even when they get to the third grade, it’s over,” he said. “Can you imagine that? It’s over at the age of 8.”

Superintendent Richard W. Rege Jr. said he would like to see an expansion of the preschool program if there is funding, but finding room for the extra classes could be difficult.

All districts are required to offer preschool for children with disabilities by the time they turn 3. Chicopee, like most, offers an integrated program, where slightly more than half the children have no developmental delays. Parents of children without disabilities pay a fee for the classes and are charged on a sliding scale depending on their income.

Currently about 240, 3- and 4-year-olds attend the Szetela Early Childhood School in full- or half-day classes. There is also a full-day program at Chicopee High School and two, half-day classes at Patrick E. Bowe School.

Because of the philosophy of early childhood education is different, ideally the classes would be together, Rege said.

As part of the proposal to convert the former Chicopee High School into a middle school, the Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School students would move to the renovated school, and the middle school would be used as an elementary school and students from Szetela Early Childhood School would move to the other half. Administrators are to move to the Szetela School.

But there is an alternative plan to move administration to the now-closed Chicopee Public Library next to City Hall if several issues, including a lack of parking, can be resolved.

“If we moved to the library, you could easily add onto Szetela,” he said.

At his police brutality trial, Asher testified, "I figure if I hit this guy with everything I had ... it would cause him to fall to the ground." Watch video

The Republican | John SuchockiFormer Springfield police officer Jeffrey Asher looks to the judge during questioning in his police brutality trial in Chicopee District Court on Friday.

CHICOPEE – Former Springfield patrolman Jeffrey M. Asher told a District Court jury Friday every blow he delivered with his flashlight to Melvin Jones III was necessary to keep himself and other officers safe.

Asher said when Officer Michael Sedergren said Jones had his gun, he anticipated gunshots and he “reacted before that happened.”

Testimony at Asher’s police brutality trial has shown Jones never took Sedergren’s gun. Sedergren, Asher and Officer Theodore Truiolo have all testified they never saw Jones go for Sedergren’s holstered gun.

Sedergren said he believed Jones was going for his holster when he and Truiolo had Jones face down on the hood of a police Ford Taurus.

Closing arguments are slated for Monday morning, after which Judge Maureen E. Walsh will instruct the jury and the jury will begin deliberating.

Asher is charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with the Nov. 27, 2009 traffic stop of Jones on Rifle Street in Springfield.

He was fired by Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet one day after being approved by the state for disability retirement. The jury was not told about the firing, and Asher said he is retired.

An amateur video of the arrest made public by The Republican and MassLive.com appears to show Jones, who is black, being held down by two officers while struck repeatedly by Asher with a large flashlight.

The jury also doesn’t know Fitchet had suspended Lt. John Bobianski and Sedergren without pay 45 days and officer Truiolo for 15 days after an investigation of the Jones incident.

Sedergren and Truiolo testified Thursday for the defense, saying Asher used the appropriate amount of force. Sedergren said he asked Asher to hit Jones.

Jurors have seen the video, which was enhanced by a contractor hired by the prosecutor for more visibility and better audio quality. They will have the video in the jury room to watch during deliberations.

On the stand Friday, Asher said he thought Jones had Sedergren’s gun in his hand because of what Sedergren said. He said because of that he had to hit Jones hard in the head area three times.

“I’m trying to stop him from killing the people who are there,” he said.

After landing three hits, Asher said he then missed Jones eight or 10 times and hit the car hood because Sedergren and Truiolo, who were holding Jones, were in the way of his flashlight strikes.

So he went around and gave Jones three “hard shots” to his upper leg, the only part of Jones’ body not covered by the other officers.

“I figure if I hit this guy with everything I had ... it would cause him to fall to the ground,” Asher said.

Asher said he heard Sedergren say, “Hit him again,” so he then hit Jones as hard as he could behind the left knee. Jones went to the ground with Sedergren and Truiolo on top of him, Asher said.

Asher said he has seen the amateur video shot by a Rifle Street resident many times. He said it accurately depicts what happened.

Defense lawyer Joseph Monahan III asked Asher what his feelings were when Sedergren said Jones has his gun.

Asher said, “It’s never changed to this day. Afraid, scared, fight for my life, fight for the life of my fellow officers. Fight to get home to my kids.”

Under cross examination by prosecutor Elizabeth Dunphy Farris, Asher said he didn’t have a police baton.

Dunphy Farris cited a law saying officers must carry the same equipment on extra duty shifts, which includes a baton.

At one point during cross-examination the judge warned Asher he had to answer the prosecutor’s questions with a yes or no rather than make statements of his own which weren’t in answer to questions.

She said, “You didn’t have a problem answering questions by your attorney.”

Asher said he saw Jones was struggling with Sedergren and Truiolo on the hood of the Taurus. He never saw Jones’ hands or a gun, he said.

Dunphy Farris asked Asher what he meant when he said Jones was struggling. Asher said he couldn’t tell if Jones' head and arms were moving, but it looked like Jones was pushing off the car with his upper body.

“His legs weren’t moving at that stage were they,” Dunphy Farris asked. Asher said he didn’t know.

He said he never asked the two officers after his initial three strikes to Jones’ head if Jones really had Sedergren’s gun.

Asher said he struck Jones as hard as he could with the flashlight while Jones was on the ground. Asher said Jones' hands were behind his back while he was on the ground so he didn’t know if Jones had Sedergren’s gun.

He acknowledged three other officers, including Sedergren, were right there while Jones’ was on the ground and he hit him hard with the flashlight.

MacDonald follows in the footsteps of her sister Maura, who was crowned Chicopee colleen five years ago.

View full sizeManon Mirabelli photoErin McDonald, 17, seated in center, the 2012 Chicopee Colleen, with her court and their escorts, from left, Annie O'Reilly, Tyler Naginewicz, Samantha Hill, Matthew Lukasik, Jonathan Sliwa, Sofia Carapeta, Bryan Dupre and Kara Lacoste at the Chicopee Coronation Ball held Saturday at the Castle of Knights, Knights of Columbus Council.

CHICOPEE – When Erin MacDonald’s name was announced as the 2012 Chicopee Colleen, the 17-year-old carried on a family tradition that began with her sister, Maura MacDonald, who captured the title in 2007.

“I’m so proud of her,” Maura MacDonald said of her younger sister. “She is an extremely accomplished young woman.”

Despite her pedigree, Erin MacDonald, a senior at Holyoke Catholic High School and the daughter of Patricia and Craig MacDonald, of Chicopee, was shocked to be selected from a contestant pool of 46 young women vying for the colleen title.

“I certainly didn’t think I would have this crown on my head,” she said.

To say that MacDonald has been enamored with the idea of being a colleen since before she could walk would not be an exaggeration. The teen was born on Feb. 7, 1994, and one month later was watching the parade as an infant in her parents’ arms. It was the first Holyoke St. Patrick’s parade she attended, and she has not missed one since – nor will she.

View full sizeManon Mirabelli photoErin McDonald

“It’s hard to describe in words how I feel right now,” she said after being crowned. “This is something I’ve wanted my whole life – ever since I was a little girl. This is so important to me. It’s been such a big part of my life.”

The experience, her sister, Maura, said, will serve Erin well in all future endeavors by giving her the poise, grace and confidence she will need to succeed in life, just as it has done for her as a consultant for Grant Thornton business advisors in Boston.

“The experience gave me the professionalism and confidence to reveal my true character and helped me in all my interviews by enabling me to communicate my strengths and abilities,” Maura MacDonald said. “I know it will do the same thing for Erin.”

Erin MacDonald will be joined on the Chicopee colleen float on parade day March 18 by her court: Sofia Carapeta, 18, Kara Lacoste, 17, and Samantha Hill, also 17, all students at Chicopee Comprehensive High School, as well as Annie O’Reilly, 19, a student at Johnson and Wales University.

The five young women were culled from a field of 46 contestants were scored on accomplishments, personality, poise and appearance. From that group, the five were selected as semi-finalists with the winner decided based on an interview question.

All five were asked: “If you could devote your time to any cause or organization, what would it be and why.”

MacDonald’s reply, which helped her capture the crown, was Homework House in Holyoke, where she is currently a tutor.

“To see one in Chicopee would be a dream of mine I would like to see fulfilled,” she said.

Police continue to follow leads to find the person who killed Amanda Plasse.

Photo of Amanda Plasse taken the day of her death.

CHICOPEE – Long-term friends, acquaintances and family released balloons into the sky in memory of a 20-year-old homicide victim described as sweet, funny and a great friend.

More than 200 people gathered Sunday to remember Amanda L. Plasse on the six-month anniversary of her death.

In her memory they released balloons each tied with a message asking people to call the Chicopee Police at 594-1736 or text a tip anonymously if they have even a tiny amount of information about her death.

“Six months ago somebody stole my beautiful daughter’s life, and I still have no answers,” said Michelle Mathieson, Plasse’s mother.

Wearing a yellow T-shirt made in her daughter’s memory, Mathieson thanked the crowd for coming to Ray Ashe Park for the balloon release and for remembering her daughter.

But the event was also held in part to remind the community that her killer has not been caught, Mathieson said.

“Six months later there is still no justice for Amanda,” she said.

Volunteers sold balloons, bracelets and T-shirts. All money raised went to the Wounded Warrior Project in Plasse’s name. The charity was selected because Plasse’ younger brother is a U.S. Marine, Mathieson said.

Life-long friends said they also cannot imagine anyone would have wanted to kill the 20-year-old, who was described as a free spirit and a beautiful person.

Police believe Plasse, a waitress at Friendly’s, was getting ready for work on Aug. 26 when someone entered her third-floor apartment at 73 School St. and stabbed her multiple times. She was found dead at about 4 p.m. by a friend.

Hampden District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni and police detectives have released few details about the circumstances of her death, saying they do not want to compromise the investigation.

An undated photo Amanda Plasse.

Chicopee Police detectives and state police investigators continue to track down every lead to her killing, which happened as Tropical Storm Irene was bearing down on New England. To leave a tip on the crime, people can text 274637, type SOLVE, type the message and hit send.

“She was always in a good mood, always smiling,” said Robert Dutton, of Springfield, who knew Plasse since she was a child and worked with her later at a restaurant. “We won’t stop until they find out who did this.”

Plasse loved sunflowers and they have become a symbol of her. Dutton said he and many of her friends have the flowers posted on their Facebook page to remember her.

Long-term friend Kelly Shannon, of Chicopee, proposed the idea of the vigil to Mathieson and helped organize it.

“I wanted to bring the community together and to let people know we aren’t giving up,” she said.

Another friend, Jesse Ginman, of Chicopee, called Plasse funny, caring and sweet.

“She was beautiful inside and out,” he said. “Her smile lighted up the room.”

Nick McDonald, of Chicopee, became friends with Plasse when the two worked together at Applebee’s.

“Mandy was probably the most genuine person I know,” he said. “She was a good friend, a really good friend. She was always there to listen.”

No one was injured in the accident

LUDLOW – A 44-year-old Chicopee man was arrested on his third drunken driving offense after he allegedly hit a car parked in a driveway parallel to the street.

Leonard E. Asselin, 44, was arrested at about 5:40 p.m. after a police officer pulled him over on Holyoke Street when he saw the car had serious front-end damage and was leaking oil and other fluids, Ludlow police Sgt. Daniel Valadas said.

At the same time of the stop, six people called 911 reporting an accident at 18 Fuller St., Valadas said.

Asselin is being accused of striking a 2007 Saturn with his 2001 Jeep Cherokee and leaving the scene of the accident. No one was in the parked car and Asselin was not injured. Both cars had serious damage, he said.

Police were able to follow a path of oil and other fluids to the car on Holyoke Street. Asselin was charged with drunken driving and other crimes including operating after license revocation, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, reckless operation of a car and on an outstanding warrant, Valadas said.

Asselin is scheduled to be arraigned in Palmer District Court Monday.

A number of streets including Lower Whitney, East, State and Windsor have been blocked because of the fire.

Submitted photoA Ludlow fire truck in front of the three-story building at 21 Lower Whitney Street. Smoke blanketed the neighborhood from the fire.

LUDLOW – A fire that started in the basement of a three-story apartment building spread to the third floor, forcing residents to evacuate.

All six families that lived in the building at 17-21 Lower Whitney St. were forced to leave for the night. Town officials were determining if they will be able to return to their homes soon, Ludlow Fire Capt. Joseph Crowley said.

The fire was reported at about 6:50 p.m. by a resident who was in an apartment on the second floor. Police officers arrived and were able to evacuate residents, Police Sgt. Daniel Valadas said.

When the fire department arrived they found a serious fire in the basement that was spreading to the first floor. Because of the older construction of the building, the fire was able to travel up the walls and into the attic of the right side of the building, which is 21 Lower Whitney St., Crowley said.

“We were able to keep the fire to the right side of the complex and hold it there,” he said.

The three apartments on the left side received heavy smoke damage. Utilities were turned off so residents could not return to any of the six apartments, Crowley said.

The Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross were at the scene to assist the victims, he said.

The number of people living in the home was not available.

Wilbraham and Chicopee Fire Departments assisted Ludlow with extinguishing the fire. Springfield firefighters were called to cover vacant fire stations in the town, Crowley said.

Heavy smoke from the blaze blanketed the downtown area. A number of streets including Lower Whitney, East, State and Windsor were blocked off because of the fire, Valadas said.

The cause is under investigation by Ludlow firefighters and the state Fire Marshal’s office.

Defense lawyer claims Asher acted in self defense and to defend others.

The Republican | John Suchocki02.27.2012 | CHICOPEE - Prosecutor Elizabeth Dunphy Farris speaks during her closing arguments Monday morning in the trial of former police officer Jeffrey Asher.

CHICOPEE - A District Court jury has begun deliberating the fate of former Springfield Police Officer Jeffrey M. Asher.

Asher is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (a flashlight) and assault and battery in connection with a traffic stop Nov. 27, 2009. The named victim is Melvin Jones III.

When a verdict is reached it will be posted here on Masslive.com.

Defense lawyer Joseph Monahan and prosecutor Elizabeth Dunphy Farris gave closing arguments this morning.

Monahan said Asher was justified in his actions because they were in self defense and defense of others.

Dunphy Farris said Asher's multiple blows to Jones were excessive force and not necessary.

022412 - Chicopee - Staff Photo by John Suchocki - Chicopee District Court trial of Former Springfield Police office Jeffrey Asher for assault on Melvin Jones III. Jeffrey Asher on the witness stand is given instructions on answering the proscuitions questions by Judge Maureen E. Walsh

Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray will chair the new Commonwealth's Military Asset and Security Task Force.

File photo | The RepublicanLt. Gov. Timothy Murray on Monday created a task force to review military assets and security in Massachusetts.

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray Monday created a task force to review military assets and security in Massachusetts and prepare strategy to protect reserve and National Guard units and facilities from possible Department of Defense budget cuts.

Murray, who will chair the new Commonwealth’s Military Asset and Security Task Force, said the agency will work “directly with stakeholders to develop and implement actions that will support military bases across the Commonwealth.”

“It is critical that we retain and promote the operations and missions at all our military installations. All are major players and any loss or reduction in spending at these facilities will impact our local businesses, communities, revenues, jobs, families and national security,” Murray said.

The executive order signed Monday received immediate support from the state’s Congressional delegation and state, business, labor and military leaders.

The task force will be charged with identifying goals and strategies that will not only protect current military presence from Defense Department budget reductions but also protect jobs and economic impact on the state.

“Massachusetts’ defense and aerospace industries generate more than 120,000 jobs, fueling local and regional economies across the Commonwealth," Murray said. “In working with our congressional delegation and this formalized Task Force, Massachusetts is ready to fight for the jobs and missions at our military base facilities which provide significant value to our economy as well as our national defense strategy,” he said.

Defense contracts held by Massachusetts companies total more than $14 billion, Murray said.

Task force membership, in addition to various state agencies, will include representatives from the Massachusetts National Guard, Massachusetts Port Authority, state Department of Veterans’ Services, MassDevelopment as well as a state senator and state representative.

The Defense Department plans to cut spending by $500 billion in the next 10 years, and the Air Force last month targeted the Air Force Reserve’s 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee for reduction of eight of its 16 C-5 jumbo jet transport aircraft by 2016. The aircraft will be transferred to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Westover and state officials are awaiting information on potential staff reassignments or reductions to coincide with the aircraft transfer.

The Air Force has also proposed changes at nearby Bradley International Airport involving the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing in fiscal 2012 by abandoning plans to assign C-27 transport jets and eventually replace them with MC-12s, intelligence and surveillance aircraft.

There has been no indication of cuts targeting the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Regional Airport nor the Army Guard’s Aviation Flight Facility there.

The 104th Fighter Wing is responsible for Homeland Security and air sovereignty of the entire Northeast. The Aviation Flight Facility and its six Blackhawk ambulance and two observation helicopters provides services including aerial firefighting and medical evacuation.

U.S. Sens. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., and Scott P. Brown, R-Mass., as well as U.S, Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, have said the Air Force proposal and any future Base Realignment and Closure recommendations must be approved by Congress and the president before they can be implemented.

But, Murray said, “We must be prepared in case BRAC becomes a reality. We need to be ready to address budget cuts of any kind at our bases across the state.”

He said Massachusetts has plenty to promote, citing military and state collaboration in cyber security, cutting edge research and development of protective clothing, food and equipment used by the military, heavy air transport capabilities for both combat and humanitarian missions, military intelligence and air defense.

Creation of the task force follows an initiative started last month by the Deaval Patrick administration to recruit state, business and labor support for military installations.

The state’s focus on preserving its military presence began Feb. 3 on a tour of the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes led by Murray and joined by chamber of commerce, labor and community and state leaders.

Murray still plans to bring his tour to Westover Air Reserve Base and Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford in March, followed by similar tours at Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts Military Reservation and Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod and Fort Devens in April.

Developers are expected to announce if they will pursue plans to build a casino in Chicopee in late March.

Republican file photo Allan W. Blair, left, president and chief executive officer of Westover Metropolitian Development Corporation, and Kenneth W. Delude, president of Westmass Area Development, look over plans when the Chicopee River Business Park was first under construction 10 years ago.

CHICOPEE – Any plans to build a casino off Burnett Road may run into a variety of daunting obstacles, including its proximity to Westover Air Reserve Base.

Allan W. Blair, president and chief executive officer of Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation, which owns the proposed Air Park South, said he has not been approached by developers who want to build on the property slated for an industrial park.

“We have not talked to anybody. Until we understand what they need, there could be no in-depth conversations,” Blair said.

Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette announced last week unnamed developers have approached him to discuss building a casino in Chicopee. They should say in late March if they will pursue a plan.

Bissonnette said he is unaware of who else the casino companies have contacted.

He said the companies are interested in two properties: Air Park South, which is vacant land located between Burnett Road and the Chicopee Municipal Airport, and the Chicopee River Business Park.

The Chicopee River Business Park is owned by Westmass Area Development Corporation. Both are affiliates of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts but are run by their own board of trustees.

Kenneth W. Delude, president of Westmass Area Development, could not be reached for comment.

Chicopee River Business Park, which measures about 170 acres, was designed for high-technology manufacturing but has remained mostly empty in the 10 years since it was created. Some of the park is located in Springfield.

Air Park South is still being developed. Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation acquired about 80 acres of land, most of it purchased from the city, and is hoping to buy about 20 more acres for the park, Blair said.

There will be some building limitations dictated by wetlands on the property and there will be problems with traffic, Bissonnette said.

Blair said the fact that the park is so close to the Westover Air Reserve Base makes it more complicated. There are restrictions on what can be located there because the property is in the military flight path.

“There are some limitations to the number of people that can be gathering at any one time at parts of that property based on the path of the airway,” he said.

He said he cannot even comment on how he and the board which governs the property would react if a developer proposed a casino on the site.

“It depends on so many things,” Blair said. “We talk to anybody. Until we understand what they need there could be no in-depth conversations.”

Any sale to a casino developer could also be controversial because when the land was acquired by the non-profit corporation, it was understood it would be used for traditional businesses such as manufacturing and warehouses.

“It was not in the category that was contemplated in our particular developments,” Blair said. “In Westover’s (Development Corporation) case we would want the community to be in favor of the use and we would work very hard with the city. It is not a decision you make on your own.”

Chicopee firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze that broke out at 217 Broadway St., a residence near Lincoln Park.

CHICOPEE – A residential fire reported around 3 a.m. Tuesday forced people from their home at 217 Broadway St., according to a Chicopee Fire Department official.

No one was injured in the fire, which was quickly extinguished and caused minimal damage, the official said. "It wasn't very big," he said.

The cause was not immediately known. Officials did not identify the owner of the home, which is near Lincoln Park and Falls Branch Library.

THE MAP BELOW shows the approximate location of a Chicopee house fire that was quickly extinguished early Tuesday morning:

View Larger Map

Since Feb. 29 happens only every 4 years, leap-year babies have only a quarter of the birthdays ordinary people have – technically.

The Republican | Don TreegerLeap Year baby Aryana Angelis will be 8 this year. She is seen here with her mother, Yansa Garcia.

James Kalbaugh, who celebrates his 9th birthday today, is a firefighter in Agawam.

James Wooller, of Holyoke, is a pastor with four kids. He turns 11 today.

In Northfield, Walter Morgan, who is retired from a long career in environmental management and forestry, turns 16.

No, these are not alarmingly precocious children.

They are all people who were born on Feb. 29. In a leap year, February has 29 days instead of 28.

Since that happens every four years, leap-year babies have only a quarter of the birthdays ordinary people have – technically.

That’s why Aryana Angelis, who made the front page of The Republican when she was born eight years ago, is telling people that she turns 2 today. She arrived minutes after midnight on Feb. 29, 2004.

It’s also why, although the calendar says she is only 4, Westfield High School sophomore Monica Browne will celebrate her “Sweet 16” birthday with a special party.

There’s no question that this calendrical oddity catches people’s attention. There’s even an Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies (leapyearday.com), which claims to have more than 10,000 members

“People are just fascinated by it,” said leap-year baby and psychic medium Jess Steinman, of the Agawam-based business In Touch with Spirit.

“I get a lot of jokes like, ‘Wow, you’re really smart for 8 years old,’” said Steinman, who is actually 32.

Kalbaugh, who lives in Chicopee and is a paramedic as well as a firefighter, says his 10-year-old daughter Meghan loves the fact that she’s “older” than her dad.

Julius Caesar adopted the leap-day concept from the Egyptians after figuring out that the quadrennial addition of an extra day could make a precise calendar. Leap years are necessary to keep the calendar in alignment with the Earth’s revolutions around the sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days to circle once around the sun.

Being the fanciful critters they are, people soon began attaching special meanings to leap year.

For example, on Feb. 29 it’s supposed to be permissible for a woman to propose marriage to a man. Also, leap-year babies are thought to be lucky.

The myths keep coming. Wooller said a member of his congregation at Crossroads Community Church in West Springfield reported hearing on the radio that “you can’t put Feb. 29 as your birthday on a driver’s license.” False!

Calendar or not, rare is the family that doesn’t celebrate Feb. 29 birthdays in the off-years, too.

Lisa Guillemette, of Ludlow, couldn’t wait to celebrate her son Caleb’s birthday. She and her husband, Justin, had been childless for 10 years when Caleb was born on Feb. 29, 2008.

A year later, they celebrated with a “big party in a rented hall,” said Lisa.

She would have done the same this year for Caleb’s other “first” birthday, but the 4-year-old wanted to have his party at home. Fifteen of his friends have been invited.

Aryana’s mom, Yansa Garcia, said she usually celebrates her daughter’s birthday on March 1 in the off-years. Morgan said his parents used to celebrate his birthday on either Feb. 28 or March 1, and would let him choose what kind of cake he got.

Springfield FalconsDamon Markiewicz

Damon Markiewicz, head of marketing for the Springfield Falcons hockey team, jokes that he got “greedy” as he got older, so he started claiming both days in off-years.

Wooller claims he went even further. One of the good parts of being a leap-year baby, he says, is that he gets to decide when to celebrate his birthday – “and sometimes I can make it several days!”

Though leap-year babies tend to shrug off the idea that they are “special,” Markiewicz was indeed a miracle baby.

He was supposed to be born on April 10 – and was born on Feb. 29 instead.

Doctors gave the preemie a 2 percent chance of survival. His chest collapsed and he was baptized in the hospital in case he didn’t make it.

He grew up strong and healthy. He got involved in youth sports. When his birthday fell on the day of a game, he and his pals would all go out together afterwards to celebrate.

He is now 36. “I’m very lucky,” said Markiewicz.