GILL — At its Aug. 16 meeting, the Selectboard announced that FirstLight Power is launching the “Climate Action Grant” and “Environmental Justice Grant” programs. Each grant has $15,000 potential, totaling up to $30,000.
Applications will be accepted through Oct. 8, with FirstLight’s selection committee choosing and announcing grant winners in Nov. 2021.
FirstLight’s Climate Action Program will support nonprofits for climate action-related projects that serve to “be educational, support workforce development, help preserve critical environmental resources, study or mitigate the impacts of climate change, increase resiliency, or otherwise enhance the community’s opportunities for sustainability,” according to an email from FirstLight Senior Land and Compliance Specialist Elizabeth Bazler.
“FirstLight’s ‘Environmental Justice Grant Program’ supports and empowers community-based 501c3 organizations, tribal and local government entities, and cultural and social action organizations working on solutions to local environmental and public health issues,” Bazler wrote.
ERVING — Bruce “Cyd” Scott, chair of the Erving Board of Health, is retiring after seven years as chair and 12 years on the board.
Scott announced his retirement and signed his resignation at the Board of Health’s Aug. 11 meeting. He said that he’s moving to Greenfield, which would make him unable to serve on Erving’s Board of Health. Before he leaves the board Oct. 1, the Selectboard must make an interim appointment prior to holding a town election in May.
“Honestly, it’s been a huge pleasure doing this job,” Scott said before voicing his optimism regarding a smooth transition of responsibilities. “The infrastructure is all set up, so whoever steps up will have their legs under them.”
MONTAGUE — The Gill-Montague Regional School Committee approved changes to the school district handbook during its Aug. 24 meeting.
Changes include a removal of gender-specific pronouns, permission for Gill and Sheffield students to have a cell phone on their person if not distracted, and a re-structuring of Turners Falls High School’s “Multi-tiered System of Supports” aimed “to teach kids how laws work in society,” as said by Superintendent Brian Beck, as opposed to being too punitive.
MONTAGUE — The Gill-Montague Regional School Committee announced plans for equity training during its Aug. 24 meeting. The committee discussed a partnership with Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton to work with issues of equity at the elementary school level. In addition, 20 middle school teachers will be given equity training on Sept. 20.
Assistant principal Joey Kotright recently put together surveys for teachers to get a feel for how the school district staff feels about the topic of equity in the school system.
MONTAGUE — Lia Vichi, a Montague resident, has been named to the dean’s list at Simmons University.
“To qualify for dean’s list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system,” Laura Wareck, Director of Media Relations at Simmons, wrote in an email.
MONTAGUE — Montague Common Hall will host concerts from jazz-rock trio Vimana and musicians Shelley Roberts and Charlie Widmer on Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, respectively.
Vimana, a Western Massachusetts-based instrumental jazz-rock trio, features Brian Rodrigues on bass, Bruce Todd on drums, and Leo Hwang on guitar. Their live set includes “original compositions that are a fusion of blues, funk, and jazz that draw from each of the musicians’ musical histories and influences,” according to a press release from Montague Common Hall. They perform from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 18.
Shelley Roberts, a soprano singer, singing instructor, and choir director from Shelburne Falls, will join Connecticut-based guitarist Charlie Widmer, who is also a multi-genre singer, actor, songwriter, arranger, and producer, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 25.
Admission to both events is free, but a small donation that will go towards is encouraged.