Shutesbury library backers appeal ruling that resulted in ballot loss

SHUTESBURY - Supporters of a new Shutesbury library are appealing a Franklin Superior Court judge's decision that left the town without money needed for the $3.5 million project.

Michael Pill and William McDermott, the attorneys representing supporters of a new library, filed an appeal Friday. It will be heard at the Appeals Court in Boston.

DEP enforcement actions in Valley

The following is a selection of state Department of Environmental Protection orders for March, the most recent period for which reports are available.

Elaine Puleo wins second term on Shutesbury Select Board

SHUTESBURY - Select Board Chairwoman Elaine M. Puleo won a second term in the annual town election on Saturday, defeating challenger Melissa Makepeace-O'Neil with 55 percent of the vote in a contest defined by lingering bitterness over a proposal to build a new library.

Judge's ruling on eligible voters blocks building new library in Shutesbury

SHUTESBURY - A court ruling Thursday means a new library will not be built in Shutesbury, at least in the immediate future. Franklin Superior Court Judge Mary Lou Rup ruled that two people who voted in favor of the library are ineligible. That means the Proposition 2½ override debt exclusion vote Jan. 10 failed 522-520, blocking the expenditure of the town's $1.4 million share of the project. Librarian Mary Anne Antonellis, who had helped lead the campaign for a new library, conceded the ruling means that Shutesbury will not likely have one anytime soon.

• Click here to read judge's ruling

Judge's ruling nixes Shutesbury library project

SHUTESBURY - A court ruling released Thursday means for the immediate future, a new library is not in the cards Shutesbury.

Shutesbury Select Board race centers on proposed library

SHUTESBURY — All eyes are on the race for a seat on the Select Board with two candidates on opposite sides of the controversial debate over building a new library on the ballot.

Melissa Makepeace-O’Neil of 315 West Pelham Road, an opponent of the library project, is seeking to defeat incumbent Select Board Chairman Elaine M. Puleo, who supports the project.

Shutesbury to vote on $5.75 million budget at Town Meeting

SHUTESBURY - Town Meeting voters here Saturday will be asked to approve an operating budget of $5,750,472 for fiscal year 2013.

The lion's share of the funding, $3,269,605, is earmarked for education, with $1,731,007 going to the elementary school and $1,431,602 for the Amherst/Pelham Regional High School.