COLRAIN — A town issues forum will be held Thursday, April 20, inside the Colrain Central School, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The purpose will be to discuss articles on the May 2 annual town meeting warrant.
The meeting is hosted by the Colrain Educational Committee for residents to learn more about the proposed town and school budgets, as well as other warrant items to be voted on at town meeting. Contact Kate Barrows for any questions about the event or to be added to the Colrain Education Committee email contact list (413-624-3920 or barrowskss@gmail.com).
ROWE — Despite objections from two families living on a very rugged, unpaved stretch of Tunnel Road, the Selectboard has voted to discontinue maintenance on this two-mile, one-lane section, to prevent the town from being liable for lawsuits by hikers and those riding motorbikes or all-terrain vehicles who might be injured on it.
In March, many people attended a public hearing, in which the Hardison and Houghtailing families and their supporters objected to the discontinuation of the only legal access to their occupied houses. The road has not been maintained for at least three decades, and Selectboard members say the road maintenance had been discontinued by the Board of Selectmen in the 1980s — but documentation of it has not been available.
The residents themselves do not drive on the road, but have used a trestle bridge that is owned by PanAm Railways, along an access road used by the railroad for track maintenance. The Hardisons and Houghtalings are concerned about access, should the railroad discontinue using the bridge.
Selectboard member Walter Quist said the road discontinuance doesn’t eliminate public access, but allows the town to post “travel at your own risk” warnings on the road.
CUMMINGTON — Now is the time to think of entering the Cummington Fair while planning your garden. There are at least 90 classes in the vegetable department, 50 items in the canning department, and over 40 in the flower department.
The premium book is usually online at cummingtonfair.com., closer to fair season. There is no cost to entering the fair and you might just win a blue ribbon. So, go ahead and plant that extra row of green beans and plan on entering the fair.
The fair takes place Aug. 24 to 27, and attracts many growers from western Franklin County. The fairgrounds are located at 97 Fairgrounds Road, off Route 112.
COLRAIN — A hike in the Catamount Hills, sponsored by the Deerfield River Watershed association and the Catamount Hill Association, will take place Saturday, April 22, to celebrate Earth Day. The plan is to explore the interesting things found in vernal pools.
Vernal pools are special, temporary wetlands hence fill with snowmelt in the spring and gain more water with spring rains but dry out in late summer. No fish survive. Those joining the hike will be looking for egg masses laid by wood frogs and yellow salamanders. The beautiful McLeod Pond will be the setting for lunch.
Organizers say this is a fairly easy hike of about three miles but the ground may still be wet. Please bring nonscented bug dope, lunch and an extra pair of socks, camera and notebook if you want to document your trip into the Catamount State Forest. Meet at the corner of Route 112 and the Charlemont Road in Shattuckville (About two miles north of Shelburne Falls on Route 112). Rain cancels. To register and for more information, call Muriel Russell at 413-624-3311.
SHELBURNE FALLS — The spring trout season is here and the Deerfield River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is hosting a talk on fisheries research, data collection, trout stocking and conservation efforts in the Deerfield River Watershed.
The meeting is Thursday, April 20, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club, 52 State St. The talk begins around 7 p.m., following a Trout Unlimited chapter meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife’s western district supervisor Andrew Madden and aquatic biologist Leanda Fontaine Gagnon will make a presentation about the watershed.
Trout Unlimited chapter President Kevin Parsons said spring is a good time to learn about the spring stocking efforts and fisheries research that has been conducted throughout the Deerfield River and its tributaries.
The meeting is open to the public.