NORTHFIELD — Denis Brennan, chair of the Board of Trustees of Veterans Memorials & Veterans Services Information and Northfield’s veterans burial agent, came before the Selectboard last week to advise that a future budget increase may be necessary.
According to Brennan, the budget for placing geraniums and flags on veterans graves, which is done in advance of Memorial Day, is $2,000 and has been for many years. Having bought 450 geraniums and flags for all veterans graves in town, “we’re right around $1,900 right now and we usually buy a real wreath.”
“We’ve never come this close,” he said, advising that the budget may need to be increased in future years.
Estate planning
attorney coming to Senior Center
BERNARDSTON — Attorney John Roberts will provide an update on elder law at the Bernardston Senior Center on Monday, June 6, at 3 p.m. Topics include laws that protect real estate, and laws that cover your will, trust and power of attorney.
Questions can be relayed to Senior Center Director Jennifer Reynolds in advance. The talk can also be viewed on Zoom. To receive the Zoom link, contact the Senior Center in advance at 413-648-5413 or coa@townofbernardston.org.
Senior Center talk to focus on real
estate market
BERNARDSTON — Kelly Page, broker/owner of Trademark Real Estate, will provide insight into the local real estate market in a presentation at the Bernardston Senior Center on Monday, June 6, at 2 p.m.
Police chief, mental health clinician coming to Senior Center
BERNARDSTON — Police Chief James Palmeri and mental health clinician Leeanne Hadsel will visit the Bernardston Senior Center on Monday, June 13, at 2 p.m.
Hadsel began her duty serving alongside local police departments earlier this month, marking what she called a “cultural” next step forward in providing mental health services to those in crisis. The co-response clinical supervisor, who is employed by the mental health agency Clinical & Support Options (CSO), is tasked with responding to mental health-related calls with the aid of on-duty officers in Gill, Bernardston, Northfield, Wendell, Leverett and Warwick.
BERNARDSTON — Naturalist John Root will present “The Majesty and Mystery of Crop Circles” at the Bernardston Senior Center on Monday, June 13, at 4 p.m.
According to a Senior Center newsletter, participants will learn about mysterious complex designs found in farmers’ crops and other locations worldwide, including their dramatic effects on soils, plants, animals and humans, as well as theories about their origins and interpretations. The program is supported in part by the Bernardston Cultural Council.
BERNARDSTON — Painter Jacqueline Penney will lead a pair of workshops at the Bernardston Senior Center on Tuesday, June 14, and Saturday, June 18, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
According to a Senior Center newsletter, these two workshops will explore composition, perspective and techniques for clouds and water using acrylics. No experience is necessary. Supplies will be provided, but donations will be accepted to defray the cost of the program. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite palette and brushes.
Advance registration is advised. Classes are limited to eight participants. Call 413-648-5413 for more information.
BERNARDSTON — The Bernardston Senior Center at 20 Church St. is seeking donations of birthday cards and thank you cards.
Contact the Senior Center at 413-648-5413 or coa@townofbernardston.org.
LEYDEN — The Greenfield Department of Public Works has begun lowering the water level in the city-owned Leyden Glen Reservoir in Leyden to make way for the reservoir’s first full dredging since 1988.
The project, totaling $532,850, is funded by Greenfield’s Water Enterprise Fund, according to a city press release. The work is being performed by Maverick Construction Management Services.
“Periodic dredging is required to eliminate organics that accumulate over time and reduce the capacity of the reservoir. The organics also require more water treatment to meet drinking water standards,” DPW Director Marlo Warner II explained in the release. “This project will position the reservoir to serve the community for another 20 to 25 years.”
The Leyden Glen Reservoir has a capacity of 44 million gallons and provides approximately one-third of Greenfield’s drinking water and fire-protection capacity, the release states. Drawdown began on May 16 and will take approximately three weeks.
Once the reservoir is drained, excavation and hauling are tentatively scheduled to begin in mid to late June and will take five to six weeks to complete. The release states 50,000 cubic yards of sediment will be removed.
The reservoir was last completely dredged in 1988. It was partially dredged when repairs were made to the dam in the late 1990s.