SHELBURNE FALLS — Opening in 1896 to carry passengers and freight, the Shelburne Falls & Colrain Street Railway changed lives and businesses in the two towns until the coming of the automobile bankrupted the line in 1927. Shirley Pelletier will tell the story at the next meeting of the Colrain Historical Society tonight, October 13, at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, 14 Depot St.
The program begins at 7:30 p.m., following the annual business meeting at 7. From 6:30 to 7:30, attendees can ride the renovated No. 10 trolley. The program is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. For more information call Belden Merims, 624-3453.
BUCKLAND — Tax Collector/Treasurer Linda Marcotte is retiring from her job, after 13 years of service as a town employee. Marcotte said she’s enjoyed her job and will miss the town employees she has worked with. She said she hopes to do some travelling when she retires.
The Board of Selectmen has hired Lisa Blackmer of North Adams for Marcotte’s part-time position, starting Monday.
Blackmer has been on the North Adams City Council for the past nine years and is chairwoman of its finance committee. She is also interim assistant town accountant in Lanesborough and has been town administrator in Sandisfield. She is also president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association through January.
Blackmer has a bachelor of science degree in finance from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is working on getting her master’s degree at MCLA.