■By unanimous vote, Easthampton’s Town Meeting members last night approved construction of a new 1,000-pupil middle school, after an attempt to amend the main motion to exclude a swimming pool failed. Superintendent of Schools Neil Pepin was heard to remark, “I’m still in shock,” as he left the town hall wearing a broad smile.
■James M. Ross, president and executive officer of the Northampton Co-operative Bank, has announced his retirement. James R. Tobey, treasurer of the bank since 1969, will succeed Ross as president and also as treasurer, and Theresa L. Dunn is appointed an assistant treasurer.
■Smaller classes, more arts in the curriculum and better enrichment programs are some of the reasons parents cite for sending their children to area charter schools instead of the Northampton public schools. Superintendent Bruce Willard last night released a summary of the results of a survey of 33 Northampton families who had children enrolled in charter schools.
■After three years as executive assistant to Mayor Mary L. Ford, Michael Vito is leaving to work for U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry. Vito, 35, of Florence, begins his new job as regional director of Kerry’s Springfield office Jan. 2. His region extends from Worcester through the western part of the state.
■About 200 state and local dignitaries, including Gov. Deval Patrick, turned out Friday for the dedication of the new Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center in Holyoke. “Holyoke’s best days are ahead of it,” Patrick said, adding that the $90 million computing center has sparked a “rebirth” of the city’s long-dormant manufacturing district.
■Responding to appeals from representatives of the business community, a proposed ban on use of expanded polystyrene for takeout food at restaurants and convenience stores in Amherst is expected to be pushed back six months.