Christopher Kelleher

BREAKING NEWS: BROOKFIELD DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER UNSANCTIONED GRASS CUTTING

BREAKING NEWS: BROOKFIELD DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER UNSANCTIONED GRASS CUTTING BROOKFIELD — Chaos erupted Tuesday after local resident Shelby O’Day Hill allegedly attempted to improve the appearance of the Town Common before Memorial Day weekend. According to totally reliable Facebook sources: • Chief Blanchard immediately activated the Massachusetts State Police Tactical Lawn Response Unit• …

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Editorial: One Set of Rules for Officials, Another for Everyone Else?

Editorial: One Set of Rules for Officials, Another for Everyone Else? By Christopher Kelleher This editorial is the third part of the Brookfield Examiner’s ongoing coverage surrounding the controversial removal of two trees from town property by Select Board member Richard Chaffee. As previously reported, the incident resulted in the resignation of Brookfield’s Tree Warden …

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Brookfield Residents Encouraged to Participate in Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Saturday

Brookfield Residents Encouraged to Participate in Annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Saturday By Christopher Kelleher  BROOKFIELD — Residents across Brookfield will have an opportunity tomorrow to help local families in need during the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. The Brookfield Examiner spoke with staff at the Brookfield Post Office, who confirmed that both …

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Questions Raised After Charlton Coalition Health Agent Denies Food Truck Permit Tied to Neighboring Farm

FOOD TRUCK OWNER QUESTIONS PERMIT DENIAL LINKED TO NEIGHBOR DISPUTE Questions Raised After Charlton Coalition Health Agent Denies Food Truck Permit Tied to Neighboring Farm By Christopher Kelleher A dispute involving a first-year local food truck business is raising questions about permitting standards, conflict-of-interest concerns, and the role of a regional health inspector who allegedly …

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Tree project fallout raises questions about Brookfield’s procurement process

Tree project fallout raises questions about Brookfield’s procurement process By Christopher Kelleher BROOKFIELD, MA — A Brookfield tree removal project that was put out to competitive bid—and later cited as part of the town’s Tree Warden’s resignation—has raised questions about whether the town’s procurement process was effectively undermined after work was performed outside that process. The …

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UPDATE: Post Road Trading approved hours before scheduled Board of Health meeting

UPDATE: Post Road Trading approved hours before scheduled Board of Health review By Christopher Kelleher BROOKFIELD — After a months-long permitting process involving shifting requirements, multiple applications, and repeated requests for clarification, a Brookfield business has been approved to sell prepackaged food—with the approval issued just hours before a scheduled public meeting on the matter. …

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Police clarify noise enforcement after initial ATV post draws attention

Police clarify noise enforcement after initial ATV warning draws attention By Christopher Kelleher SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. — The Southbridge Police Department issued a clarification following widespread attention to an earlier post that warned of a “zero tolerance” approach to ATV-related noise complaints, including on private property. The original message, released earlier Friday, stated that ATV operators …

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BROOKFIELD SELECT BOARD TO INTERVIEW TOWN ADMINISTRATOR CANDIDATES, APPOINTMENT EXPECTED THIS WEEK

BROOKFIELD SELECT BOARD TO INTERVIEW TOWN ADMINISTRATOR CANDIDATES, APPOINTMENT EXPECTED THIS WEEK By Christopher Kelleher BROOKFIELD — The Brookfield Select Board is scheduled to conduct a series of remote interviews this week for the position of Town Administrator, with an appointment expected following the final session.The interviews will take place over three public Microsoft Teams meetings: Monday, …

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BROOKFIELD — POLLS OPEN NOON TO 7 P.M. FOR MONDAY TOWN ELECTION

BROOKFIELD — POLLS OPEN NOON TO 7 P.M. FOR MONDAY TOWN ELECTION By Christopher Kelleher  BROOKFIELD — Voting hours for Brookfield’s annual town election on Monday, May 4, will be limited to the afternoon and evening, with polls open from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., according to town officials. The Select Board voted to reduce …

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Southbridge ATV crackdown draws swift backlash hours after announcement

Southbridge ATV crackdown draws swift backlash hours after announcement By Christopher Kelleher SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. — Just eight hours after the Southbridge Police Department announced a “zero tolerance” approach to ATV-related noise complaints, the policy is drawing attention for its broad scope — including its application to private property and its lack of time-of-day limits. The …

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