Bernardston
supports pot group
BERNARDSTON — The Board of Selectmen signed an updated letter of support for Happy Valley Compassion Center, a nonprofit medical marijuana organization, during a meeting Wednesday.
Bernardston tallies record voter turnout
BERNARDSTON — Town Clerk Paul Luther said during a Wednesday Board of Selectmen’s meeting that the Nov. 8 election turnout broke the town’s previous record.
Voter turnout this year was 79 percent, the highest in the past 10 years that the Town Clerk has been able to collect records.
“I think it’s a testament of the civic concern of everyone in town,” Luther said.
Luther also proposed possibly investing in a new voting machine, as Bernardston’s machine was frequently clogging. A new machine would cost around $7,500.
However, because the clogging is largely a result of the way the ballots are folded, Luther said, the same problem could continue with a new machine. Selectman Robert Raymond proposed manufacturing an envelope for each ballot.
LEYDEN — The Leyden Council on Aging is holding “Go Wild,” a program demonstrating the historic use of native plants to nourish people through times of hunger, on Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon in Town Hall.
Carly Leusner, co-founder of Acorn Kitchen, will show how native plants can be transformed into nutritious foods and provide free samples.
After the program, the Council on Aging is holding a luncheon which will include stuffed turkey breast, sweet potato casserole, peas, pumpkin or apple pie, coffee and tea. Call Sue Howarth at 413-774-3118 to make reservations for lunch by Nov. 14, though reservations are not needed for the “Go Wild” program.
LEYDEN — The Leyden Cultural Council is hosting award-winning artist Gregory John Maichack at Town Hall Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. for a free pastel workshop called “Stunning Still Lifes: Pastel Paint Like the Masters.”
The Cultural Council invites beginners to advanced painters. All supplies are provided.
Contact Michael Frees by phone at 413-773-5123 or by email at bunburyfarm@aol.com to register.
LEYDEN — The Leyden Council on Aging is hosting a screening of “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” Friday, Nov. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Town Hall.
In the PG-13 film, a national manhunt ensues to track down a rebellious child and his cantankerous foster uncle who go missing in the wild New Zealand bush.
LEYDEN — The Leyden Board of Selectmen announced the proposed tax rate during a Thursday meeting.
The proposed rate for 2017 is $17.08 per thousand dollar evaluation, a 58 cent decrease from 2016’s $17.66 rate.
The rate must be approved by the Department of Revenue.
BERNARDSTON — The Board of Selectmen expressed concern over failing town vehicles during a meeting Wednesday.
One Highway Department vehicle and the Fire Department’s rescue vehicle have both been taken out of service due to mechanical failures.
“This speaks to the vehicle maintenance issue that perhaps we need to get more organized about,” said Town Coordinator Hugh Campbell.
BERNARDSTON — The Board of Selectmen considered changing the speed limit over the Turners Falls Road bridge during a meeting Wednesday.
The board explained that representatives from Stantec, the architecture and engineering consulting firm tasked with finding the best, most cost-effective way to replace the failing bridge, said if the bridge were to keep its current 35-mile-per-hour speed limit, construction would require 136 more linear feet to be in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Transportation regulations.
Adding 136 more linear feet to the bridge’s design would cost an extra $30,000. Should the town change the speed limit to 30 miles per hour, no additional design would be needed.
For now, the board decided to have Stantec put the additional cost as an alternate in the bid contract and keep the current speed limit.
As Bernardston submitted a grant application through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Small Bridge Program, it is possible that the state might cover the cost of the bridge’s replacement.