COLRAIN — The Colrain Cultural Council has two vacancies. If you are interested, please call 413-624-5549.
COLRAIN — Tax bills have been mailed to Colrain residents and are due Nov. 6.
Contact Tax Collector Paula Harrison with any questions at axcollector@colrain-ma.gov or 413-624-5549 during business hours — Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SHELBURNE FALLS — The Arms Library is now open for limited access that includes half-hour visits by appointment (with three people in the library at a time), computer use and a limited browsing area.
Call 413-625-0306 to make an appointment to browse or to use a computer. According to a notice from Library Director Laurie Wheeler, patrons without appointments will be asked to wait outside the library, at the corner of Main and Bridge streets, until there are the appropriate number of people in the building and cleaning has been done in between visits.
Social distancing protocols, mask requirements for staff and patrons, desk safety shields, regular sanitizing of heavily trafficked areas, frequent hand-washing by staff, and use of hand sanitizer by staff and patrons are all part of the reopening plan.
The hours for building access are Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. According to Wheeler, curbside service will continue for those who do not feel comfortable entering the building. Curbside service is available Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
HAWLEY — There are now two more places for residents to access WiFi in Hawley, at the Highway Garage and at the Hawley Grove facility.
The Highway Garage offers indoor access, with a few tables and chairs, provided that advance arrangements are made by calling 413-339-5509. Residents can also park outside the garage, but are advised not to block the doors, according to a notice from Administrative Assistant Cass Nawrocki.
Additionally, the Sons and Daughters of Hawley have had internet capabilities added to the Hawley Grove facility, which has a heated kitchen and is insulated. The kitchen space is available for WiFi use from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
According to the notice, there are six workspaces that are at least 6 feet apart. Everyone who uses the facility must wear a mask.
After hours, the internet can still be accessed from the porch and the grassy area directly in front of the building, provided that you have the login information, which is posted inside and outside the Hawley Grove facility.
SHELBURNE FALLS — The traditionally festive village center will be mostly dark on Halloween, according to a survey conducted on Oct. 10. Of the 52 households responding, 70 to 80 percent reported that they do not plan to hand out candy on Halloween night.
The survey was conducted by Shelburne Selectboard Chair Andrew Baker, who polled households in the downtown area bordered by Main and Mechanic streets on the east and west, and Bridge and Grove streets to the north and south, in response to requests from residents seeking guidance about Halloween. Baker has lived on Mechanic Street for 23 years himself.
“Over the years, that rectangle in the center of town has become the focus of trick-or-treating in the village,” Baker said. “In a typical year, my wife and I hand out 600 pieces of candy — one per child — and if Halloween is on a Saturday with good weather, maybe 800 to 900 pieces. That doesn’t include parents. Most of my neighbors did not think that this is the year to invite over 1,000 people to congregate on Mechanic Street as we usually do, and I regretfully agree. But I hope we’ll be back with a great celebration next year.”
The survey found only three households on Mechanic Street who do plan to hand out candy this year, along with seven households on Main and Grove streets. Baker added that the households that often project outdoor movies, grill hot dogs and hand out popcorn on Mechanic Street will be dark on Halloween this year.
Additionally, the traditional Rag Shag Parade and the Halloween party at the Shelburne Grange Hall have been canceled. According to Baker, the Board of Health has not prohibited trick-or-treating, but has issued guidelines for safe dispensing of candy that can be found at bit.ly/2HHCasm.
“It is unclear if or when the town has the power to cancel Halloween celebrations entirely, or how it would enforce such a ban,” Baker said. “I hope we will all do our part to keep this virus under control so we can get our kids back to school safely, protect our elders and our public-facing workers, and get our economy up and running again.”