Brief thoughts on some of the events making news from Franklin County and the North Quabbin:

As Greenfield continues to feel some of the after-shocks following the Town Council’s cutting of a capital project budget plan, one significant piece should be moving forward: shifting the Greenfield School Department’s administrative offices from Davis Street to the Greenfield Middle School. The council OK’d $800,000 for the move that requires renovation of space on the building’s first floor. Although this isn’t an inexpensive move, continuing to maintain the antiquated former Davis Street school would be a waste. The move is long overdue.

Recognized for his work

We can’t say it was a surprise that state Sen. Benjamin Downing was picked as the 2016 Public Advocate of the Year by the state’s Food Bank Coalition. The Democratic lawmaker from Pittsfield, whose district includes several Franklin County towns, has long been a strong voice in the area and state when it comes to what can be done to lessen hunger. Downing won this recognition for his efforts to increase state money for the emergency food assistance program. As he said, “in the Legislature, we deal with many complex and arcane issues. This is not one of them.” It’s work like this that should remind the public that Downing, who has decided against seeking re-election, will be missed.

Healey wants state to wait on marijuana

The recent pronouncement from Attorney General Maura Healey that the state should wait on the issue of legalizing marijuana for recreational use probably won’t dampen existing support for the ballot question. But we think it should cause undecided voters to pause to listen to what Healey is saying. During an appearance on WGBH’s Boston Public Radio, she said, “Let’s see how this continues to play out in these other states. I come back to the concerns I have about young people and the health effects on young people, and that’s why I think it’s important that people talk to doctors and members of the health community and get their perspective on things over the next couple months.”

This discussion is going to get louder and more intense as Massachusetts nears the November election.