A Massachusetts town has responded after it was discovered that someone was projecting a political advertisement on town property.

The following is a statement from Hanson Town Administrator Lisa Green:

“On Friday, Oct. 11, the Town of Hanson became aware that a resident was projecting the image of a political sign from their property onto the Town of Hanson municipal water tower at 228 High St.This misleads the public into believing that this activity is sanctioned by or condoned by the Town.

As a governmental entity, the Town of Hanson does not endorse candidates for any office from any political party, nor does the Town allow political signs to be displayed on municipal property.

The Town of Hanson’s Sign Regulations, which can be viewed here, contain language that makes this individual’s actions a violation of Town bylaws. The Town is working on a Cease and Desist order to present to the resident.

The Town intends to issue the maximum fine of $100 per day until the activity is discontinued.

Highway Department employees have positioned a spotlight to shine on the water tower to dim the projection. Further measures are being considered at this time.

This individual’s actions have the potential to cost a significant amount of taxpayer dollars, including attorney fees, overtime to pay Highway Department workers to turn the spotlight on and off each day, and the potential for having to rent or purchase stronger lighting equipment. The $100 per day fine will likely not cover these expenses.

The Town of Hanson respects the free speech rights of all residents, and the right of all residents to express their political views, but not on Town property or in a manner that makes it appear that the Town of Hanson is endorsing any political candidate.”

The name of the resident was not released.

For decades, Stop & Shop has been a staple in Massachusetts communities, offering groceries, pharmacy services, and household essentials to families throughout the state. Sadly, 2024 marks the end of an era as several beloved Stop & Shop locations are closing their doors for good. For many loyal shoppers, the news has come as a shock, leaving communities wondering what went wrong.

The recent wave of Stop & Shop store closures is part of a larger strategy aimed at restructuring and repositioning the company for future growth. According to Gordon Reid, President of Stop & Shop, the decision to close these underperforming stores was not made lightly. Rising operational costs, shifting consumer behaviors, and increased competition from e-commerce platforms and large chains like Walmart and Target have made it increasingly difficult for traditional brick-and-mortar grocery stores to remain competitive.

In an official statement, Reid emphasized that Stop & Shop will focus on enhancing the customer experience by investing in remodeled stores and offering lower everyday prices. By streamlining their store portfolio, Stop & Shop aims to create a solid foundation for future growth.

Founded in 1914, Stop & Shop has grown from a small grocery store in Somerville, Massachusetts, into one of the most recognized supermarket chains in the northeastern United States. The company has long prided itself on being a neighborhood grocer, deeply rooted in the communities it serves.

However, as times changed, so did consumer habits. The rise of online shopping and food delivery services has hit many traditional grocery stores hard, leading to a reevaluation of Stop & Shop’s business model. While the company has remained a favorite for many Massachusetts residents, the closures reflect the growing need for adaptation in today’s rapidly evolving retail landscape.

Which Stores Are Closing?

At the beginning of 2024, Stop & Shop had 124 stores in the state of Massachusetts, accounting for approximately 31% of its total stores. By November 2, 2024, seven Stop & Shop locations across Massachusetts will permanently close their doors. These closures include stores in prominent towns and cities such as Brockton, Worcester, and Springfield. Below is the full list of locations that will be shutting down:

• 932 North Montello St., Brockton
• 36 New State Highway, Raynham
• 341 Plymouth St., Halifax
• 539-571 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury
• 415 Cooley St., Springfield
• 545 Lincoln St., Worcester
• 24 Mattakeesett St., Pembroke

These closures follow the shutdown of a Stop & Shop in Newton on August 29, 2024. Stop & Shop has already begun going-out-of-business sales at the affected locations, offering discounts of up to 70%. For those living near the closing stores, this is a final opportunity to take advantage of the deals before the doors shut permanently.

For loyal Stop & Shop customers in Massachusetts, the closure of these stores marks a significant change. Many families have long counted on Stop & Shop for their convenience, quality products, and reasonable prices. Now, they are faced with the prospect of traveling further for their shopping needs or turning to alternative grocery chains.

What’s Next for Stop & Shop?

Despite the closures, Stop & Shop remains optimistic about its future. The company is committed to investing in its remaining locations by focusing on store remodels, improved customer experiences, and offering better prices. Since 2018, Stop & Shop has remodeled more than 190 stores, and the company plans to continue this trend as it adapts to new consumer demands.

The closure of these beloved Stop & Shop stores is undoubtedly a loss for the communities they’ve served for so long. While shoppers may still find Stop & Shop at other locations, the departure of these neighborhood stores will leave a void. As Massachusetts bids farewell to these small but significant establishments, it’s clear that this marks the end of an era.

For now, shoppers affected by the closures can take advantage of the final clearance sales before their local Stop & Shop stores shut down for good. It’s a bittersweet moment, but one that will live on in the memories of the customers who walked those aisles for years.

New regulations are coming for pet kennel, in a move legislators are touting will increase pet safety.

Gov. Maura Healey and Lieutenant Gov. Kim Driscoll signed Ollie’s law on Oct. 10, which is meant to bring oversight to the kennel industry in Massachusetts.

The legislation is the result of four years of effort from Amy Baxter, the dog mom of labradoodle Ollie. In 2020, Ollie sustained serious injuries in a dog fight while staying at a doggy daycare and died from complications soon after. Baxter has fought since then for more animal protection. The law is now named “Ollie’s Law” after her dog.

“For far too long, Massachusetts lacked oversight of our animal daycare facilities, and our pets paid the cost for that inaction,” said Driscoll in a press release. “Now, pet facilities across Massachusetts will begin adhering to a higher standard to make sure our pets are properly cared for and come home happy and healthy to their families.”

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What is Ollie’s Law?

Ollie’s Law updates licensure and regulation of kennels and other pet boarding facilities.

Specifically, under Ollie’s Law, all kennels and their individual dogs must be licensed, and all kennels must have an established limit of the number of animals that can be housed according to accommodations and staff availability.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) will provide all kennels with detailed operational and safety regulations, to be enforced by municipalities.