City of Springfield, MA - Office of Communications

08/31/2026

‘Entering Forest Park Heights Historic District’

Mayor Sarno, Congressman Neal, City Councilors Walsh and Davila, and Forest Park Civic Association (FPCA) celebrate unveiling of Forest Park Heights Historic District Street Sign Toppers

On Friday afternoon, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal, City Councilor Kateri Walsh, City Councilor Victor Davila, Hope Lewis, Deb Shea and Kathy Post from the Forest Park Civic Association, Parks & Recreation Director Tom Ashe, Department of Public Works (DPW) Foreman Brandon Beaulieu, and residents of the Forest Park neighborhood joined at Garfield Triangle to unveil special new street sign toppers for Springfield’s Forest Park Heights Historic District. School Committee member Rosa Valentin was in attendance, as well as Lisandra Rosario on behalf of State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez.

The Forest Park neighborhood is home to the Forest Park Heights Historic District, a nearly 200-acre section containing roughly 600 historic homes. To aid in preserving this architecturally delightful area, the city established it as an historic district years ago. The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

Mayor Sarno states, “Thank you to our Forest Park neighbors, especially Deb Shea and Kathy Post, along with City Councilor Kateri Walsh, for your continued advocacy and love for our beautiful Forest Park neighborhood. These signs look great and were designed to be cohesive with the existing ‘Entering Forest Park Heights Historic District’ signs that welcome folks to the area.”
The new sign toppers affixed to the top of existing street signs by our dedicated DPW can be found throughout Forest Park Heights, Springfield’s second historic district ever designated, created in 1975 and enlarged in 1980. The new toppers read: “Est. 1975, National Register 1982, Forest Park Heights, Historic District.”

“These sign toppers are one of the many neighborhood enhancements that follow up on my administration’s numerous listening tour sessions and neighborhood walks on how best to use our local allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support these quality-of-life neighborhood infrastructure projects,” explained Mayor Sarno.

“Many of the historic aspects of Forest Park and Forest Park Heights historic district – which was not only established as a protected historic district by the city back in the 70’s, but also added to the National Register of Historic Places in the early 80’s – are unique and meaningful, and should be highlighted. Shout out to DPW’s Brandon Beaulieu for the installation work. Special thanks to retired Judge Phil Contant, Deb Shea, Erica Swallow, Gary White, and Kathy Post, a dedicated team of engaged and passionate citizens looking to make our neighborhoods and our city stronger, who put forth this initiative,” said Mayor Sarno.

“After the city was awarded federal ARPA pandemic recovery funds, thanks to the strong advocacy and leadership of our Congressman Richard Neal, we started meeting with our residents on it right away. The creation of our ARPA Neighborhood Council & Community Stabilization Grant program comes as a direct result from my community and neighborhood council meetings and on-site walking tours I did with my city team. In total we met with over 30 neighborhood councils and organizations to hear their ideas on how we can work together to enhance our neighborhoods for the betterment of our residents and business community. In our Forest Park neighborhood, the dedicated Forest Park Civic Association, which has been operating to serve the neighborhood since its first meeting in December 1963, has been closely involved in directly allocate funding to neighborhood COVID-19 Pandemic recovery needs. From addressing sidewalk concerns and pedestrian safety, to these sign toppers distinguishing this historic place, I deeply appreciate the continued partnerships from our Congressman Neal to our very involved neighborhood councils throughout the city, to continue enhancing our Springfield, and regaining the momentum in our neighborhoods interrupted by the pandemic years.”

These new special designations are fitting for the turn-of-the-century neighborhood composed of architecturally fine houses. They help establish the community identity and communicate the beautiful and historic neighborhood’s compelling stories. Many signs are already in place, and the Department of Public Works will be installing them on the street signs throughout the Forest Park Heights historic district.

Thank you to Focus Springfield Community TV for covering this neighborhood event. Watch the unveiling ceremony video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zobAXBAU3y4

Visit the Forest Park Civic Association website, their next meeting is Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
https://www.forestparkcivic.org/

Did you know that these emoticons/emojis are commonly used to mark an historic place? 🏰🏛 ⛬

08/31/2026

Mayor Sarno joins to celebrate Raw Talent Boxing and Fitness for One-Year Anniversary Celebration

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno was honored join with family owners Nancy and Isaac Reyes to celebrate the 1st Year Anniversary in business for Raw Talent Boxing gym in Indian Orchard.

Mayor Sarno and the Eco Dev team were thrilled to join last year for the grand opening of Raw Talent Boxing located at 176 Main Street in IO. About a year prior to that, the City of Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development started a Small Business Assistance Program for grants to eligible businesses for development costs like new furniture, equipment, and interior buildout, complementary to the Storefront Improvement Program. Raw Talent Boxing and Fitness was awarded $50,000 to assist with the buildout of their storefront. This was funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program through our City of Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development.

The storefront grant helped make the business more visible, enabled aesthetic exterior improvements to help improve and increase business sales and provide an improved neighborhood streetscape. After one year in business, Raw Talent was thrilled to celebrate and featured live sparring sessions showcasing their athletes during the anniversary celebrations.

Mayor Sarno states, “Congratulations to Nancy and Isaac on 1 year in business with Raw Talent Boxing and Fitness, and thank you for your continued belief and investment in our Springfield. Nancy and Isaac have seen their vision of offering high quality training, where individuals of all skill levels and backgrounds can discover their strength build confidence and achieve their health and fitness goals through boxing and cardiovascular training, come to reality. This is a proud moment for them as a family, for their business, the neighborhood they operate in, and our city as we join to congratulate and thank Raw Talent for serving our community.”

“With our strong federal partnerships with our Congressman Richard Neal, we have been able to support the growth and scaling of our local small business, many family owned,” stated Mayor Sarno. “The team at the Office of Planning and Economic Development, under the leadership of Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan has continued to beautify storefronts within the City. This team has also created opportunities for our residents to create unique businesses, and encourage small business growth.”

To learn more about Raw Talent Boxing, please visit their website:
https://rawtalentboxingandfitness.squarespace.com/

08/31/2026

City of Springfield Veterans’ Activities Committee Accepting Nominations for 2026 Veteran of the Year

Who: Springfield’s Veterans’ Activities Committee, Incorporated
What: Nominations being accepted for the 2026 Veteran of the Year
When: Submissions accepted until Friday, October 9, 2026
Where: To be awarded on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 2:00pm in City Hall, Room 220, 36 Court Street, Springfield, MA

Springfield, MA – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Springfield's Department of Veterans' Services Director Joe DeCaro announced today that the Springfield Veterans’ Activities Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Veteran of the Year Award.

The Veteran of the Year Award is given on an annual basis to a current Springfield resident who is a veteran and continuously volunteers their personal time to better our community and never seeks recognition for the work they’ve done.

If you know of a veteran who continuously volunteers their personal time to better our community and has never received recognition for the work they’ve done, please consider completing the 2026 Veteran Of The Year Nomination Packet to sponsor their nomination as the next Veteran of the Year for the City of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Applications are available under Springfield’s Department of Veterans’ Services webpage at: https://www.springfield-ma.gov/hhs/veterans

The deadline for submission of applications is Friday, October 9, 2026. All applications must be returned to:

City of Springfield’s Department of Veterans’ Services
C/O Joe DeCaro
36 Court Street, Room 101
Springfield, Ma 01103

You may know of a veteran who continuously volunteers their personal time to better our community and has never received recognition for the work they’ve done. If you know of any such individual, please consider completing the nomination form to sponsor their nomination as the next Veteran of the Year for the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Honorable military service and active community volunteerism are integral in the selection process.

The annual ceremony announcing the Veteran of the Year will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026 in City Hall Room 220, 36 Court St. Springfield, MA 01103, at 2:00PM.

The annual Veterans Day Parade will be held on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026, stepping off from the campus of Springfield Technical Community College at 11:00 a.m. and marching down to City Hall for a speaking program on the front steps, and wreath laying along Veterans Way in Court Square.

For further information, please contact Springfield Department of Veterans’ Services, Director, Joe DeCaro at (413)787-6141.

Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank the Veterans’ Activities Committee for their continued and unyielding support of our veterans and their families. Special thanks to our Veterans’ Services Director Joe DeCaro and team who continue to lead our City of Springfield’s Veterans’ Services Department, providing our brave and dedicated veterans and their families the care, compassion and service they need and deserve. We look forward to honoring our veterans once again this Veterans Day here in the City of Springfield.”

https://www.springfield-ma.gov/cos/news-story?tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=17918&cHash=425884797e57a6173b516d2d629fc8e7

08/31/2026

Springfield Police Department Surpasses 700 Life-Saving Uses of Narcan

August 31st is recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day. The day serves as a way to raise awareness about fatal and non-fatal overdoses, educate the public, and encourage action and discussion around overdose prevention. It is also meant to recognize the grief felt by family and friends whose loved ones have been lost to addiction or have been permanently injured as a result of an overdose.

Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers is pleased to announce that the department has surpassed 700 lives saved in its ongoing Narcan program (712 as of 8/31/26).

On March 19th, 2019, officers began carrying the opioid reversal drug. Narcan, an opioid antagonist, can quickly reverse the effects of a potentially fatal painkiller or he**in overdose by binding to opioid receptors and reversing or blocking the effects of other opioids, quickly restoring normal breathing. Narcan is not dangerous if administered to a person who is not overdosing on opioids and it has no potential for abuse.

Superintendent Akers stated, “With more than 700 lives saved by our Springfield Police Officers administering Narcan, I am proud of the difference this program is making in our community as we continue to fight the opioid epidemic here in the city. It is also important to remember the individuals who have lost their lives due to the opioid crisis and their families who continue to grieve. This Monday on International Overdose Awareness Day I’d like to recognize our officers, firefighters and paramedics in this city who, on a daily basis, encounter individuals suffering from addiction and act in unison to save those suffering from the effects of an opioid overdose.”

“God Bless our brave and dedicated men and women of the Springfield Police Department. Day in and day out our SPD officers continue to do their job of serving and protecting our community”, stated Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “This has never been more evident than with the prevalence of opioid-related overdoses. The damage inflicted by the opioid crisis to our Springfield community has been tremendous and continues to take Herculean efforts from the city, including our Police and Health Departments, nonprofits, our community partners and stakeholders to heal. Thanks to our SPD carrying Narcan, they can immediately respond to these unfortunate situations and save lives, and just as important, steer them towards recovery program assistance. Since SPD started carrying Narcan in their vehicles over 700 lives have been saved, a testament to their selfless service to our community and those in need.”

In Springfield, Narcan is attached to the automated external defibrillator (AED) in every marked, unmarked and undercover car used by the department so that each of the approximately 500 sworn officers who have access to an AED also have access to Narcan. Additionally, Narcan is available to all bureaus and in all satellite locations and is stationed throughout the public safety complex.

Proper use of the medication is taught to officers during the police academy as well as each year during in-service training. As part of the training, officers learn the appropriate circumstances for Narcan use, how to administer doses and proper disposal methods after a dose is given.

08/30/2026

Mayor Sarno and Springfield City Library Team thank Deb Hawley for her service, and congratulate her on her retirement!

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno joined with Library Director Molly Fogarty, Assistant Director for Public Services Jean Canosa Albano, and the Mason Square Library team, along with guest of honor Debora Hawley on Friday, to thank Ms. Hawley for her incredible service to our community and wish her well as she retires from her library role.

Debora Hawley has served the residents of Springfield at Springfield City Library for thirteen years, working as a Senior Clerk before being promoted to Principal Clerk. Last week, she retired after many years of dedicated library work. Prior, she had done security work for our Springfield Museums and Central Library. Since coming to the other side of the Library Desk thirteen years ago, she has continued to be a valued colleague.

Mayor Sarno states “Today, we proudly honor Deb for her extraordinary service and dedication to our community. Her contributions to the Springfield City Library and to the residents of Springfield were many, and her absence will be felt. As she described today, her library team is more like a family. Deb plans to still volunteer her time with the library – thank you, ‘Deb!’”

“P.S. It was nice and cool inside our Mason Square neighborhood branch library today with the brand-new chiller having been installed after the lightning strike. Thank you to our Parks, Buildings, & Facilities team for your efforts on this, it was once again a nice cool summer here at mason Square Library. Also, nice to run into my friend Charlie Arment of Charlie Arment Trucking Inc. who was, as usual, out working hard on a job.”

Springfield City Library -- All Yours, Just Ask: https://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/

08/30/2026

Springfield is looking forward to welcoming the North American Festival of Wales (NAFOW) to the city for the first time! We'll join to raise the Flag of Wales on the front steps of Springfield City Hall on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Learn about the Festival, a more than 100-year old tradition celebrating Welsh language, history, and culture with seminars, music, and community! https://www.festivalofwales.org/

Our NAFOW Host in 2026 is The Welsh Society of Western New England. 🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

The society brings together those with a love of Wales to celebrate its rich language, culture, music, history, and traditions. Through social gatherings, cultural events, Welsh language sessions, genealogy workshops, and annual celebrations, the society keeps Welsh heritage thriving while fostering friendship and community across Western Massachusetts and Connecticut.

To find out more visit → http://welshwne.org/

08/30/2026

Share your story and help us address barriers to health in your community: take our 2026 Community Health Equity Survey. Your feedback's anonymous, and we’ll use survey results to make better-informed decisions about programs and resources where you live: http://mass.gov/HealthSurvey

08/28/2026

08/28/2026