BUCKLAND — Residents who still need to vaccinate their dogs against rabies for this year’s dog licenses are welcome to attend a rabies clinic in Rowe on Saturday, March 31, at the Rowe Fire Station.
The clinic, for Rowe and Buckland residents, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. It is sponsored by the Shelburne Falls Veterinary Clinic.
To avoid a $25 per dog late fee, Buckland residents can put their rabies certificate, check for licensing and a self-addressed, stamped envelope in the mail slot in front of Buckland Town Hall on Saturday.
BUCKLAND — The Selectboard has supported Town Clerk Janice Purington’s request for a wage adjustment and for longevity pay that is offered to town employees but not to paid elected officials. Purington has been the elected town clerk for 28 years. She has asked the town to comply with a wage study that recommended the town clerk be paid at the same rate as the town’s treasurer/tax collector. Purington also requested a longevity stipend that is available to town employees after 10 or more years of service, but not to elected officials.
Although she is a salaried employee, working 30 hours per week, the pay-grade would change her pay from about $22.40 per hour to $24.17 per hour in the fiscal year that starts in July, according to Town Administrator Andrea Llamas. The maximum longevity stipend, after working for the town for 25 years or more, is $1,000 per year.
The Selectboard unanimously agreed to make an exception in Purington’s case for the longevity stipend, but are discussing whether to discontinue the practice for new town employees in the future.
“I do think we’re very fortunate to have Janice,” said Chairwoman Dena Willmore.
HAWLEY — Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited Hawley recently to inspect the Chickley River bank stabilization project that was completed last fall and paid for with a MassWorks state grant. The river bank beyond the back of the town Highway Garage was severely washed out by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and the restoration work will prevent a similar wash-out in the future, according to Selectboard Chairman Hussain Hamdan.
Besides inspecting the bank stabilization project, Polito toured the town’s Green Communities initiatives, including the installation of solar panels and LED lighting at the town garage, with the work being done by students from the Franklin County Technical School.
BUCKLAND — Jill Lively has been reappointed to serve as the town’s “small animal” or dog inspector, while Martha Taft Ferguson has been reappointed as the large animal inspector.
SHELBURNE — With only 150 tickets available for Shelburne’s 250th Dinner Dance celebration, residents who want to be part of the event should buy tickets early, says Town Clerk Joseph Judd. The event will be held on Friday, June 22, at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center on Main Street, which has space limitations. The event begins with a 6 p.m. social hour/cash bar; a 7 p.m. buffet put on by the Kiwanis Club and dancing from 7:30 p.m. on to the music of Janice D and Shakin’ All Over.
Tickets, $25, may be obtained from Judd or Town Administrator Terry Narkewicz in Memorial Hall, from Cathy Buntin at the Senior Center, or from Selectman Bob Manners.