Lt. Gov. Murray visits Greenfield area

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The state is reaching out to local cities trying to weather these tough economic times. Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray visited Greenfield to work with local officials on some big problems.

Town officials and residents filled the Greenfield Community College meeting room, hoping for some ideas. Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray tried to connect them to members of his administration to find answers.

He listened to residents who brought their own concerns, like Diane Kanzler, who says the state's health care system needs work.

"We're falling through the gap because we make just a little too much to get any assistance, and have been told that we may be allowed to have a waiver to not have health insurance, thet's not an option for families," said Kanzler.

Others like Dale Kowacki asked the state take another look at pension reform: "Let's not take a shotgun approach, let's save what's good and just direct our attention at what's bad and fix that."

Several Greenfield residents still had questions about the states stance on a proposed Biomass plant. Sandra Boston said, "We feel this is not a green project, it's not renewable energy, it's not carbon neutral, and these are the terms the state government are using."

Lt. Governor Murray said these issues are not easy to fix. His priority is to get the state to work better with localities.

"We've put more tools in the toolbox to help cities and towns manage their way through this crisis, but we've got to continue to do more, because of the economic situation," said Lt. Governor Murray.