SHELBURNE — Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, will host his next “Speak Up Western Mass” public forum and community office hours in Shelburne on Monday, July 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room in Memorial Hall, located at 51 Bridge St.
Hinds plans to host at least 10 open conversation/community office hours events in rotating locations across his Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District each year. The meetings are agenda-free, unscripted, and designed for residents and local officials to ask questions, share concerns, and make recommendations on state issues to the state Senator and his district staff.
ROWE — Nomination papers are now available, through Wednesday, July 19, for residents who are interested in running for Selectboard in a special election Sept. 9. The elected candidate will serve the nine-month balance of the term left by Marilyn Wilson, who stepped down last month for health reasons.
Town Clerk Kathy Sprague said signed nomination papers must be submitted by July 21.
BUCKLAND — Dena Willmore now chairs the Selectboard, Kevin Fox is vice-chair, and new Selectman Zachary Turner is the board’s clerk.
COLRAIN — The Selectboard has hired BSC Group Engineering of Worcester for design work needed to replace an Adamsville Road bridge over Tisdell Brook, contingent upon the town’s receipt of a $500,000 grant from the state’s Small Bridge Program.
COLRAIN — The town has received its first “Last Mile” state grant payment of $610,000 and is currently negotiating a contract with Westfield Gas & Electric Co. (also known as Whip City Fiber). Town Coordinator Kevin Fox said town officials hope to have an approved contract by the end of July, so that work could begin. The internet build-out is estimated to take between 18 months to two years.