Legal Ad, Daily Hampshire Gazette Announcing Draft AAP Public HearingLIV ING Satur day, Mar ch 9, 2024 | DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE C3gazet tenet.com
Bridge Club Results
The Northampton BridgeClub welcomes anyone whowishes to play duplicatebridge. Online games areplayed on h t t p s : / / w w w. b r i d g e -base.com/ at 7 p.m. on Tues-days and Thursdays; in-per-son games are played at 1 p.m.on Wednesdays at the ChristUnited Methodist Church, 271Rocky Hill Road (Route 66) inNorthampton. Visitw w w. n o r t h a m p t o n b r i d g e -club.org and click “HELP ” tolearn more.For additional help, contactPhilippe at phgalaski@gmail.com. For kids to learnplaying bridge, visitACBLEF.org/BridgeWhiz fordetails.There were six tables in the
online play on 2024-03-05.Overall winners:Stanley Tuhrim-BettyMintz 64.55, Steve Peck-YanDrabek 63.64, George Abbott-Liz Hildebrandt 60.00, MyrnaButler-Barry Laflam 57.27,Sonja Smith-Paul Burnham50.91, Richard Valenti-JohnRufer 43.18.There were six tables in thein-person play on 2024-03-06.Overall winners:Carol Fricker-Susan Daily61.67, Arlene Nolan-Karen A.French 58.33, John DeBaggis-Motoko Oinaga 57.92, Jan Net-tler-Sheila Ryan 52.92, AliceShearer-Jeannie Jones 52.50,Allison Ryan-Maud Fischer49.17, Anita Thompson-JohnDahl 40.00.
needs a healthy mother whois getting good nutrition, is liv-ing relatively stress free,avoids toxins, both internal(smoking, drugs or alcohol)and environmental (air andwater pollution, lead in pipesand paint, guns and violence),and has access to regularmedical care and consulta-tion. Once born, babies con-tinue to need good nutritionand significant interactionwith their primary caregivers.As they respond to these in-teractions they are formingbillions and billions of neuralconnections as their brainsform and develop. It is essen-tial that there is significanttime for the parents (particu-larly the mother) to interactwith the child, to spend timewith them, bond with them, sothat they can safely exploretheir environment, and thatthey are living in as stable,safe, and stress-free environ-ment as possible.Informed both by researchon the crucial importance ofthose first 1,000 days and bytheir decision to place thehealth and well-being of theirpopulation as their numberone priority, many of theworld’s countries haveadopted policies that offermedical, nutritional, financial,and social support to youngfamilies from the very start.They have decided that help-ing newborns and their fami-lies to focus on their new livestogether without having toworry about medical bills,mortgage payments, or otherstressors will lead to betterhealth and the best chance fora healthy, happy, and success-ful future for the child. Thesepolicies have had very posi-tive results, with many of thecountries now identified asthe best places in the world toraise a family, as having top-rated school systems, andhaving increasingly healthypopulations. I want to share afew of those policies that havemade such a powerful differ-ence for their children andfamilies.
Paid family leave
There is nothing more im-
portant than paid family leavewhen we consider ways tobetter support families thatare pregnant and/or livingwith an infant. The idea be-hind paid family leave is thata woman who is pregnantneeds to minimize her ownstress and maximize herhealth, and working full timeleading up to the birth andthen returning to work shortlyafter birth does the opposite.There is not one way to of-fer paid family leave. Greeceand Germany both offer sev-eral weeks of paid leave be-fore birth and then roughlythe same number of weeks ofpaid family leave after thebirth. Sweden, which tops thelist of best places to give birthand raise a family, offers 420days of paid family leave,which can all go to themother, or be split betweenthe mother and father how-ever the family chooses. Esto-nia offers more than a yearand a half of paid leave to newparents. Bulgaria, Hungary,Japan, Lithuania, Austria, Slo-vakia, Latvia, Norway andSlovenia offer over a year’sworth of paid leave as well. Infact, there are only sevencountries in the United Na-tions that do not offer paidfamily leave: six small coun-tries and the United States,the only wealthy country thatdoes not do so.
Universal health care
Most of the countries of theOrganization for EconomicDevelopment nations (OECD)have some form of universalhealth care for their popula-tions. They do not all look ex-actly the same, but all offerbasic health care to citizens inthe country at no cost. Whileit is possible to purchase pri-vate insurance in most ofthese countries, people’s ba-sic health care needs can beaddressed for free, and inmany of these countries thatincludes giving birth.In Sweden, for examples, itcosts virtually nothing forSwedish women to give birth.In the U.S., since there is nouniversal health care, givingbirth can be very expensive,especially if the delivery is atall complicated, with prices
ranging from $15,000 to$30,000, depending on insur-ance. There is also a greaterrisk that there will be healthconsequences, especially forfamilies that are cutting medi-cal corners because they can’tafford to get the care theyneed. The rate of women whodie in childbirth is signifi-cantly higher in poorer com-munities as is the rate of in-fant deaths. Having the gov-ernment provide basic healthcare coverage, including med-ical coverage during preg-nancy, birth, and beyond canliterally be the difference be-tween life and death. Univer-sal health allows women toget regular checkupsthroughout pregnancy, a fullycovered birthing experience,and ongoing postpartumcare at no cost. Universalhealth care, combined withpaid family leave means thatfamilies can focus on theirbaby and their family withoutthe stress of looming hospitalbills or worries about missingpaychecks.
Child care
Most families in the OECDand European Union nationspay a relatively low percent-age of their incomes for childcare. Swedish families, for ex-ample, pay around 5 % of theirincome for childcare;
Japanese families 7%, Frenchfamilies 8%, and Canadianfamilies around 18%. This ispossible largely because theirgovernments pay the rest ofthe actual cost of the care.On average, families in theU.S. pay more than 30% oftheir incomes on child care ifthey can find an opening in achild care center near them.As we found out duringCOVID, available and afford-able childcare is essential iffamilies are to function in theworking world, and if theeconomy is going to function,as more families cannot af-ford to have an adult stayingat home. Many women (whodo most of the child care) hadto leave their jobs or severelycut back their hours whenschools closed during the pan-demic, and that had a signifi-cant impact on the overalle c o n o m y.Child care seats are lim-ited, partially because, de-spite the significant price tag,wages for childcare workersare at poverty level, with fewor no benefits. The wages arenot enough for them to sup-port their own families, and soit has been increasingly diffi-cult to find people to work atchildcare centers and to stay.It also means that many ofthose who are hired may nothave had (and do not receive)
adequate education regarding
their work with children, dueto the constant turnover.Without significant govern-ment support for public child-care there are many childcare deserts — places wherethere are not enough seats forfamilies needing childcarehelp — and it is estimatedthat a lack of childcare avail-ability costs the U.S. morethan $122-billion a year in lostp r o d u c t i v i t y.
Summar y
Most of our peer countriesin the world have chosen toinvest in their people andtheir investments have paidoff with better health,schools and economies. Therich nations of the OECD andEuropean Union each con-tribute an average of $14,000per year in support of eachtoddler. Despite its greatwealth, the U.S. only con-tributes around $500 per tod-d l e r.Sarah Carr, a contributingeditor to the Hechinger Re-port, writes, “Unlike most de-veloped nations, America hasnever treated care of itsyoungest children as a publicgood worthy of significantpublic investment, especiallyin relation to K-12 public edu-cation.” It has chosen to in-vest most heavily in its mili-
tary, in cutting taxes for itswealthiest individuals andcorporations, and in allowingthose corporations that aretaxed to move their moneyoffshore, beyond the reach ofthe public, depriving us ofbadly needed public dollarsthat could be used to supportour children, our families andour schools. We can continueto support our growing in-equality at the cost of ourhealth and well-being, or wecan invest more in our people.Getting our children off tothe best start possible isclearly to the benefit of thechildren and their families,but it is also of great benefit tothe country. I can’t think of abetter way to change theworld than by investing asfully as possible in the first1,000 days of our children’slives, from conception to their2nd birthday, so that theyhave every chance to livehappy, healthy and successfullives.Doug Selwyn taught at K-12 public schools from 1985until 2000 and then at univer-sity as a professor of educa-tion until he retired in 2017.He is the chair of theFranklin County Continuingthe Political Revolution edu-cation task force. You canreach him at dougselwyn12@gmail.com.
SELW YN FROM C1
Changing the world starts with supporting babies and their families
characters.
“This being a story about fear
and our hunger for it, suspense is
the mode,” The New York Times
wrote. “‘The Thin Place’ keeps on
haunting because it presses against
the deepest human longings not only
for connection but also for expo-
sure.”
Next on CTC’s schedule is “Un-
reconciled,” a one-man play that had
short workshop productions at CTC
and at CitySpace in Easthampton
last year but will make its debut as a
finished play July 4-14.
“It’s really a tour de force,” Bar r y,
who directed the play last year, told
the Gazette at the time.“Unreconciled,”starring East-
hampton actor and writer JaySefton, is an absorbing production inwhich Sefton recalls being abused bya Catholic priest in the Philadelphiaarea as a teen and how that experi-ence reverberated through his life.In a sold-out performance atCitySpace last November, Sefton,who co-wrote “Unreconciled,” puton an acting clinic, inhabiting 12 dif-ferent characters, including his latefather, some of his school class-
mates, lawyers with the Philadelphia
diocese, and the abusive priest, a Fa-
ther Smith.
The play “certainly has its dark
moments, but it’s also full of humorand love and empathy, just reallymoving and powerful,” Barry toldthe Gazette. He’ll direct the playagain this summer.According to CTC, one audiencemember who saw the play inChester last summer said “I’ve been
coming to Chester Theatre since the
days of Vincent Dowling, but I don’t
believe I’ve ever seen anything as
powerful or moving at your theater
as ‘Unreconciled.’”
CTC will offer another one-man
performance during a two-day, mid-
summer break (July 14-15) with “ItGoes Without Saying,” an autobio-graphical tale by Broadway veteranand noted mime Bill Bowers inwhich he recalls growing up in Mon-
tana, taking on a wild array of per-
formance roles, and studying with
Marcel Marceau.
Bowers, whose Broadway resume
includes roles in productions such
as “The Lion King” and “The Scarlet
P imper nel,” also appeared last sum-
mer in CTC’s “The Making of a
Great Moment.” His work in “It
Goes Without Saying” has earned
comparisons to David Sedaris.
Chester Theatre Company’s full
season then continues with “Wi l l
Sacrifice,” from July 26 to Aug. 4,
and “Big Blue Sky,”Aug. 8-18.
This will be the premiere of “Wi l l
Sacrifice,” a comedy written by Julie
McKee, in which Bridget, a New
York City woman with a troubled
marriage, cramped apartment, and
stagnant career, tries to find refuge
in a country home in the Catskills,
where real estate is up for grabs in
the wake of 9/11.
As program notes put it, “Ar med
with a limited budget and plenty of
nervous enthusiasm, [Bridget] en-
lists the aid of Mr. Sunshine to help
her realize her dream.”
“Will Sacrifice” will be directed by
Keira Naughton, a veteran stage and
screen actor who has directed three
past CTC plays.
“Big Blue Sky” is set in a seaside
town in East Yorkshire, England,
where Lauren, a young woman who
waits tables at a cafe, mourns the
loss of her mum and now has a diffi-
cult relationship with her father,
Dennis, who’s become withdrawn
and ornery following the death of his
wife.
But an unexpected arrival in
town of a young conservationist, Ed,
will alter the dynamics of the char-
acters in what program notes call “a
beautifully tender play … that ex-
plores nature’s influence on love,
friendship and family — the belief
that anyone who’s lost can be found,
even in the remotest of places.”
Barry, who plays Dennis in “Big
Blue Sky,”notes that the play will be
directed by another CTC veteran,
James Warwick, who he’s worked
with “since the 90’s when he di-
rected us in productions at UConn/
CT Rep. We’re so pleased to have
him back at CTC to direct this life-af-
firming love story.”
For more information on this
summer ’s schedule, ticket prices,
and post-play events, visit
chestertheatre.org.
Steve Pfarrer can be reached at
spfar rer@gazettenet.com.
Some new plays help Chester Theatre celebrate its 35th year
IMAGES COURTESY CHESTER THEATRE COMPANY
Abuzar Farrukh, left, plays an unexpected visitor to a small English
village in “Big Blue Sky.”Veteran stage and screen actor
Keira Naughton, center, will direct the world premiere of “Will Sacrifice,”
a comedy written by Julie McKee, at CTC this summer. Young Valley actor
Hero Marguerite, right, who made her CTC debut last summer in a
production of Annie Baker’s “Circle Mirror Transformation,”returns this
year in “Big Blue Sky.”
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CITY OF NORTHAMPTONCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM2024 DRAFT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN PUBLIC HEARING
On or about July 1, 2024, the City of Northampton will receiveapproximately $630,060 in CDBG funds from the U.S. Department ofHousing and Urban Development for the 2024-2025 program year.Activities must benefit persons of low and moderate-income,improve public facilities or infrastructure or aid in the elimination ofslums and blight. The program proposes to fund the followingactivities to address priorities from the City's Five YearConsolidated Plan and the 2024 Draft Annual Action Plan.
6:00 PM, Wed. 3/14/2024, Hearing Room, City Hall, 210 Main St, 2ndFl., Northampton, MAOr virtually over Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2577046101?pwd=ajMyOGhGMEVQVm1YeG56NUR5V1Mrdz09 or call +13017158592,2577046101#
Economic Development - Microenterprise $ 50,000Tech AssistanceAffordable Housing for Low-Income $ 300,000Individuals & Housing RehabPlanning and Administration $ 126,000Improve Public Facilities & Infrastructure $ 60,060Public Services - Six agencies addressing $ 94,000community resource access, literacy, employment readiness,housing search, youth mentoring, & language attainment.
Comments will be taken until April 14, 2024 by Keith Benoit,Community Development Planner at kbenoit@northamptonma.gov or 413-587-1288. A copy of the draft plan willbe available on March 14, 2024 athttps://www.northamptonma.gov/2083/CDBG March 94433320
Public HearingThe Southampton ConservationCommission will hold a publichearing on 3/18/2024 on anamendment to the Order ofConditions for Maryann Hyatt,Berkshire County Arc, LLC, for theinstallation of water service at120 East St. under file number289-0245. The hearing will beheld via Zoom and will begin at6:00 PM. The Zoom link(Southampton, MA(mytowngovernment.org) willbe available 48 hours beforethe meeting. Copies of theapplication may be examinedat the Conservation Officeand/or the Town Clerks Office inthe Southampton Town Hall, 210College Highway, Southampton.MA.March 94433249
Legals Legals
TOWN OF GRANBYBoard of Appeals
The Granby Board of Appealswill hold public hearings onTuesday March 19, 2024,commencing at 6:00 p.m. at 1Library Lane, Old CarnegieLibrary, top floor, to consider thefollowing petitions:
1.) Applicant Alan Kotowicz, andowner Peter Gaj, seeking aSpecial Permit under Section 6.2of the Granby Zoning By-Laws,and Section III- Use Regulations,3.3.9 - Residential Uses,dwellings and housekeepingfacilities for employees andnon-paying guests of owner orlessee in accessory building tobe located at 125 MaximilianDrive, Granby, MA, known asMap 14-A-18-1-2.
2.) Applicant Alan Kotowicz, andowner Peter Gaj, seeking SpecialPermit under Section 6.2 of theGranby Zoning By-Laws, andSection III- Use Regulations, 3.7.5- Accessory Uses, regarding aprivate garage or stablesexceeding Twelve Hundred(1200) square feet in area to belocated at 125 Maximilian Drive,Granby, MA, known as Map14-A-18-1-2.
In addition to the abovehearings, the Board of Appealsmay conduct other agendaitems following said hearings astime permits. This notice is givenpursuant to Chapter 40A andChapter 39, Section 23B of theMassachusetts General Laws.
Kathleen Bronner, ChairmanGranby Board of AppealsMarch 2, 94433155
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