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Photos: Green River Festival returns to Franklin County Fairgrounds
The Green River Festival was held from June 21-23 on the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield. The festival offered live music across four stages, as well as food and craft vendors, attracting people from all over the region and beyond. If you purchase a product or register for an account...
Western Mass. town gets $10 million to convert abandoned mill buildings to riverfront park
The western Massachusetts town of Montague will receive nearly $10 million in state and federal funding to convert an abandoned mill into a riverfront park. The town is one of 13 Massachusetts communities receiving funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up former industrial sites known as brownfields. EPA...
Construction Update Brattleboro-Hinsdale Bridge – July 19, 2024
BF A004(152) Motorists should remain alert for construction traffic entering and exiting the work zone from Vermont Route 142 and Depot Street. Due to current work on New Hampshire Route 119 associated with the project, the eastbound lane shift on NH 119 shortly after traveling over the twin bridges remains active for the time being. Motorists should be vigilant in the area for shifting traffic patterns as work is nearing completion in this location.
More Than Meets the Eye
Amherst has a rich array of interesting sights, stories, and architecture dating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Recently, the Amherst Historical Commission was asked to weigh in on two demolition permit applications for quite modest buildings that got me thinking more about Amherst’s west side and perhaps generally, about a past era in town when the penetration of residential with commercial, service-industry buildings, barns, and outbuildings was easier to see and was seen as acceptable.
Interim Finance Director hired in Greenfield
GREENFIELD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — At Greenfield’s City Council meeting Wednesday night, Mayor Ginny Desorgher announced the city has hired a new interim finance director after the departure of finance director Diana Schindler in April. The Mayor said the interim director, Stella Chan brings years of private...
New Owners for Black Walnut Inn
Report on the Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals, July 11, 2024. This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. It can be viewed here. Craig Meadows, Everald Henry, David Sloviter, and Philip White. Staff: Chris Brestrup (Planning Director), Rob Morra (Building Inspector), and Jacinta Williams (Planner) After...
Annual League of Women Voters Book Sale Begins Friday, July 26
The Annual League of Women Voters Books sale opens on Friday July 26 in the gym at the Fort River Elementary School, 70 Southeast Street. Opening day hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The sale will continue on Saturday July 27 and Sunday July 28 and Saturday August 3 and Sunday August 4 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Jones Library Consultant Amps Up the Vitriol
Few would attempt to assail the integrity and commitment to justice of former federal prosecutor and onetime President of the Jones Library Board of Trustees, Sarah McKee. McKee, an occasional contributor to the Amherst Indy, has served as general counsel to INTERPOL and has sat on the board of the Massachusetts Alliance Against Predatory Lending. A 2009 Washington Post story recounts how she discovered a long-forgotten book which she returned to the Arlington (VA) Central Library along with a check for $25 and a note of apology for the book being 30 years overdue. McKee is also a vocal opponent of the Jones Library demolition-renovation-expansion project.
Sunderland receives $195K grant to study, design multi-use trail from Whately to Amherst
SUNDERLAND — With a $195,090 MassTrails grant, visions of people walking and biking on the Norwottuck North Shared-Use Path from Whately to Amherst are one step closer to becoming a reality. Alongside a $76,840 match from Sunderland, which is the lead community on the grant, the money will help...
Listening Sessions in Full Swing for Age- and Dementia-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan Refresh
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs and a range of community partners have held listening sessions for the Age- and Dementia-Friendly Massachusetts Action Plan Refresh in Salem and on Cape Cod with more coming up in Boston, Lawrence, Springfield, and Greenfield. In addition to supporting the listening sessions in Springfield and Greenfield, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is also co-hosting a virtual listening session on July 30th.
Puffers Pond Remains Closed to Swimming
Puffer’s Pond will remain closed to swimming until further notice due to high levels of E. coli bacteria. There are many factors that could be contributing to this ongoing issue and the town is looking into causes and exploring long-term solutions. The town conducts water quality testing weekly with results being posted on Wednesdays at www.amherstma.gov/puffers. The most recent results were posted on Wednesday, July 17 and new results will be posted on Wednesday, July 24.
Hadley Route 9 project finish expected in spring 2026
HADLEY — The $26.2 million project to widen Route 9 from the town center east to the intersection of North and South Maple streets remains on track to be completed by spring 2026. The expected finish date for the work on the state highway is April 2026, Billie Li,...
Tree falls into Palmer home, crews work to clear damages following severe thunderstorms
PALMER, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Wednesday evening was a stormy one western Mass, with thunderstorms that brought with them high winds and heavy rain, leaving significant damage in their path. Maria: abbey: many of us experienced that heavy rain and thunderstorms first-hand today….but unfortunately for many, the storm didn’t come and...
Valley Green Energy launches in Amherst, offering residents cleaner electricity
The town of Amherst has announced the upcoming launch of Valley Green Energy, a new program designed to offer Amherst residents and businesses a more sustainable and cost-effective electrical supply.
Kubiak and Porter Recommended as Nonvoting Members of Finance Committee
With only three of its five members present, the Governance, Operations, and Legislation (GOL) Committee recommended the appointment of Bernie Kubiak to serve the remaining year of Bob Hegner’s term as a non voting member of the Finance Committee and Thomas Avery Porter to a full three-year term. Hegner was elected to the Town Council in November, 2023. Kubiak has served as a nonvoting member of the Finance Committee since 2018, but his current term has expired. The recommendations will be forwarded to the council for consideration at its August 19 meeting.
Finance Director to Serve on Building Committees, 25 Reappointed to Boards, Commissions, and Committees
In memos to the Town Clerk dated July 9, 2024, Town Manager Paul Bockelman nominated Town Finance Director Melissa Zawadski to fill openings on the Jones Library and Elementary School Building Committees, and 25 people as reappointments to town boards, commissions, and committees. The nominations were unanimously approved on the consent agenda of the Town Council at their meeting on July 15.
Town Seeks Councilor Feedback on New Solid Waste Plan
Report on the Meeting of the Town Services and Outreach Committee, July 11, 2024. This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded. It can be viewed here. Andy Steinberg (Chair, at large), Bob Hegner (District 5), Hala Lord and George Ryan (District 3), and Jennifer Taub (District 4). Council President Lynn Griesemer (District 2) was also present.
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