Brief thoughts on some of the events making news from around Franklin County and the North Quabbin area:
The conditions placed on a proposed solar project in Shutesbury seem a reasonable way to address the interests of the developer in moving the project forward as well as those of the public concerned with the possibility that the land might be a Native American burial ground. The Planning Board is requiring that the developer hire an archaeologist to survey that land to determine what, like a burial site, exits. And the board set out other conditions, too, that look to ensure the matter is handled properly.
Part of the value to a town-meeting form of government is that it gives residents an opportunity to have a say in town budgets and get answers to how that money is spent. Those New Salem voters who want more information about what they’re getting from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments for their tax dollars when it comes to help with broadband used the right avenue available to them. And while no one could realistically expect the COG officials to attend every town meeting in the county, voting to have selectmen set up a meeting with the COG officials before paying the assessment isn’t so unreasonable. Call it an insurance policy that a meeting will happen.
We were sorry to learn that Charlemont is canceling its Yankee Doodle Days because a call for new volunteers to take the wheel fell on deaf ears. It’s a shame, since so many residents and out-of-towners enjoyed the event. But maybe having the fair go missing for a year will get a message across, and enough people will step forward. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.
When one thinks about the dangers that firefighters face, skin cancer doesn’t readily come to mind. But as it turns out, firefighters also are outside enough, responding to emergency calls, training and doing chores at the station that they, too, can be exposed to too much sun and therefore develop melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Understanding this, the Turners Falls Fire Department teamed up with the Melanoma Foundation of New England to install some sunscreen dispensers at the Montague Safety Complex. It’s a simple step to ensure that people protect themselves. We would think that this is something that other departments might want to look at doing as well.
A tip of the hat to all those involved with bringing a new Civil War memorial to Northfield. While the town did honor those who served in that war, the monument is inside the elementary school and is not easily accessible to the public. Having a new monument to join the others outside of Town Hall makes sense, and the design should complement the others. Well done.