Healey Pledges Land Purchase for Agawam Cemetery
Governor Maura Healey vowed to start acquiring land to expand the Agawam Veterans Memorial Cemetery, which is nearing capacity.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections
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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey pledged Thursday to begin land acquisition for the Agawam Veterans Memorial Cemetery, one of the state's two state-operated veterans cemeteries. The announcement came days before Tuesday's gubernatorial election, in which Healey is seeking re-election.
Why it matters
The cemetery sits on 61 acres and holds at least 13,000 internments, leaving limited room for future burials. Healey said planning must start now before space becomes a challenge for the state's veterans community.
The cemetery spans 61 acres and contains at least 13,000 internments, while State Senator John Velis's $700,000 bond authorization for expansion remains pending in a Senate economic development bill now in conference committee. It is not yet clear how much land would be acquired or when the funding will be finalized.
The players
Maura Healey
Massachusetts governor who pledged to pursue land acquisition for the Agawam cemetery and is seeking re-election on Tuesday.
John Velis
Massachusetts state senator who joined the announcement and previously sought a $700,000 bond authorization for cemetery expansion.
The details
Healey made the pledge during a visit to the Pioneer Valley, joined by State Senator John Velis, who previously sought the bond authorization. The Agawam site was secured in 1997 when Edward Squazza donated his 65-acre farm, after a last-minute pitch and tour helped it win out over a proposed site in Chicopee near Westover Air Reserve Base.
Timeline
1997: Edward Squazza donates his 65-acre farm for the cemetery.
Late last week: Healey stops in the Pioneer Valley and pledges land acquisition.
Thursday: Healey publicly makes the land acquisition pledge.
Tuesday: Gubernatorial election in which Healey seeks re-election.
Political Context
Agawam is one of two state-operated Veterans Memorial Cemeteries in Massachusetts, the other located in Winchendon. The expansion pledge extends that existing state system by adding burial capacity to the Agawam facility rather than creating a new site.
If the $700,000 expansion authorization clears conference committee, the state would begin acquiring land to add burial space at Agawam. Families seeking interment there could face limited availability until expansion is completed.
The takeaway
Expanding veterans cemetery capacity depends on funding moving through the legislature, so the outcome of the pending bond authorization will determine whether planning turns into land acquisition.
Further reading
For more on the governor's re-election race, see Elections coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WAMC/Northeast Public Radio.
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