Chip sealing planned on several Whately roads
WHATELY — Chip sealing will take place on Christian Lane, Long Plain Road, River Road and North Street throughout the day on Friday, Sept. 12.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Whately Police Department warned drivers to “use caution and expect some delays.”
Sept. 13: Antique appraisal fundraiser coming to Whately Historical Society
WHATELY — Doug Bilodeau of Douglas Auctioneers will be at Whately Town Hall on Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon to 4 p.m. to appraise visitors’ antiques and collectibles.
With a fee of $5 for the first item and $3 for each additional item, the event will raise money for the Whately Historical Society. Bilodeau is also able to look at high-resolution photos of items that are too hefty to transport.
Visitors can also check out the Historical Society’s current exhibit, “What’s for Dinner?” The exhibit features a display of objects, images, journals and account books that capture the influences of politics, technology and transportation on meals that Whately residents ate between 1775 and 1975.
New stop signs being installed on Christian Lane bridge
WHATELY — New stop signs will be installed on either side of the Christian Lane bridge above the Mill River on Monday.
According to Whately Town Administrator Peter Kane, representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s bridge department visited the site before its traffic department recommended installing a stop sign on either side of the one-lane bridge, along with warning signs leading to the two-way stop.
The installation follows four reported crashes on the bridge since it was first reduced to one lane in September 2021, according to Whately Police Chief James Sevigne.
The Whately Fire Department posted on Facebook on Aug. 28 that solar glare that week had led to two crashes while drivers were heading eastbound on Christian Lane.
“The Jersey barriers that limit the bridge to one lane can be hard to see due to the glare of the sun,” the Fire Department advised.
As drivers adapt to the new signs, Kane said he anticipates “a bit of a learning curve.” Still, he said the change should not slow traffic considering the one-lane bridge already requires drivers to apply their brakes.
Whately seeks community development administrator
WHATELY — Just two months after appointing Rusty Polsgrove to serve as the town’s community development administrator, the Selectboard voted on Wednesday to post an opening for the position.
According to Town Administrator Peter Kane, Polsgrove left to work for a nonprofit “more in line with what they want to do.” Before working in Whately, Polsgrove was an associate director for the Springfield nonprofit Arise for Social Justice and worked on the state Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting.
Kane said Polsgrove mentioned during their exit interview that filling the full-time hours with their community development administrator responsibilities proved to be difficult, leading Kane and the Selectboard to agree on posting the job with the option of either part-time or full-time.
“[Polsgrove] got things so well-organized,” Kane said during Wednesday’s Selectboard meeting. Selectboard Chair Joyce Palmer-Fortune described Polsgrove as “a shot of energy” in the municipal offices.
Valley Neighbors hosting free presentations through ‘Your Brain Health and Dementia Care’ series
WHATELY — Valley Neighbors, a community nonprofit serving seniors in Whately, Deerfield and Sunderland, is hosting three free informational presentations this fall as part of its “Your Brain Health and Dementia Care” series. Presenter Linda Puzan, a social worker at Franklin County Home Care Corporation “brings decades of experience in the fields of dementia care and memory support,” the series flyer reads.
The first presentation, “Optimizing Brain Health As We Age,” on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Whately Town Hall auditorium will highlight strategies, advice and resources for sustaining brain health while debunking myths about aging brains. The second presentation, “The Many Faces of Dementia,” will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the same auditorium. The final presentation will be “The ABCs of Dementia Care” on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Sunderland Public Library.
‘Pioneer Valley Picture Show’ on display at Memorial Hall Museum
DEERFIELD — Memorial Hall Museum has launched its new exhibit, “Pioneer Valley Picture Show.” The temporary show, which will be on display through the end of October, shows images and artifacts from 100 years of movies filmed in the Pioneer Valley and by filmmakers that are from the Pioneer Valley.
Visitors can see costumes by Ruth E. Carter, the Academy Award-winning costume designer behind the “Black Panther” films, and Ken Burns’ early filming equipment along with other artifacts spotlighting the region’s film history.
A mobile scavenger hunt is also available for visitors, encouraging them to explore sets across Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, and tackle challenges along the way. Winners will earn prizes.
Both the exhibit and scavenger hunt are free thanks to funding from Partridge-Zschau Insurance, bankESB, Three Sisters Sanctuary and Tower Theaters.
Deerfield seeks residents’ feedback on Annual Town Meeting scheduling
DEERFIELD — Town officials are considering changing the date of Annual Town Meeting from the last Monday in April at 7 p.m. to a new day and time.
To find the best time for the most voters, the town is asking for input from residents through a two-minute survey that is available at surveymonkey.com/r/WWJL7QM.