DEERFIELD — Nearly 400 COVID-19 vaccines were administered at Deerfield Elementary School Wednesday afternoon as the “Vax Bus” continued its tour around Franklin County.
Selectboard and Board of Health member Carolyn Shores Ness said staffers distributed 382 vaccines throughout the afternoon.
The “Vax Bus” is heading to Sunderland Elementary School Friday afternoon from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Vaccines are available for children ages 5 to 11, teenagers from 12 to 18 as well as adult first and booster shots. Those interested can register at bit.ly/3nthMNY.
DEERFIELD — The town is replacing all 301 streetlights with LED fixtures that will save the tens of thousands of dollars in energy costs.
Eversource will provide all material and labor costs if the town completes the installations by the end of the year. Each fixture will take less than an hour to replace, minimize light pollution and will dim to 50% brightness after 11 p.m. to not disturb residents and save energy — a feature that replaces midnight shutoffs. The town is installing the new fixtures through the end of the year.
According to a press release from the town, the current bill for light fixtures is $44,686.34 per year and that will be reduced to $5,058.25 per year with the new LED fixtures. The LED lights are expected to last 17 years longer than their high-pressure sodium equivalents and will save about 20,000 kilowatts per hour annually.
SUNDERLAND — Sign-ups for Sunderland’s youth basketball program and the town’s Berkshire East skiing program are now available.
Registrations for youth basketball — grades three through nine — will be held at the following times in the Sunderland Elementary School gymnasium: Dec. 2, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. for grades three and four, and 6:45 to 8 p.m. for grades five and six. Sign-ups for grades seven through nine will be held Nov. 20 and Nov. 27 from noon to 1 p.m., while grades three through four will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and grades five and six from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Registration costs $50 for students in grades three through six and $60 for students in grades seven through nine. Masks are required for sign-ups. Basketball registration forms can be found at bit.ly/3Djhm2i.
The six-week Berkshire East Ski Program for grades one through six will take place Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., Jan. 12 through Feb. 16. Transportation must be provided by parents and guardians. All skill levels from first-time skiers and snow boarders to those with advanced experience are welcome.
The registration deadline is Nov. 29 and all registrations must be mailed or dropped off at the Town Offices in the Recreation Department’ mailbox. Berkshire East registration forms can be found at bit.ly/3nlwJBT.
Contact Sunderland’s Recreation Office at 413-665-1439 for more information on both programs.
SUNDERLAND — The Board of Assessors has received preliminary certification of assessments for all real estate and personal properties.
Taxpayers may review the proposed property valuations online or at Town Hall through Nov. 23 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The values may also be viewed online.
Residents with questions or concerns may contact the Board of Assessors at 413-665-1441, ext. 5 or assessors@townofsunderland.us.
SUNDERLAND — The town’s Highway Department has an immediate seasonal position available.
Duties involve snow plowing, roadside debris removal and other winter-related highway activities. Applicants must have the ability to work during the winter and during other unforeseen emergencies. A 2B hoister endorsement and two years of highway plowing experience are also required.
Applications can be found on the town website and can be mailed to Highway Superintendent George Emery at 111 River Road, Sunderland, MA 01375 or emailed to highway@townofsunderland.us.
DEERFIELD — The Selectboard authorized Town Administrator Kayce Warren to approach Alex White with a job offer to be the town’s full-time health agent.
White has worked for the town in a part-time capacity in the past and the town would like to keep his services as he finishes graduate school.
“I’m thrilled,” said Selectboard and Board of Health member Carolyn Shores Ness. “He has this really good work ethic. He’s just very great.”