Seven films win at Ashfield Film Fest
ASHFIELD — Twenty-five films made by local filmmakers were shown at the 17th annual Ashfield Film Fest on Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, resulting in seven films winning eight different awards. The winners are as follows:
- Audience Grand Prize 2025 — “The Journey Home” by Cole Whitaker.
- History Prize 2025 — “The People’s Steeple” by Stewart “Buz” Eisenberg and Mary Patierno.
- Best Animation Entry 2025 — “Flood Line” by Helen Hummel.
- Best Narrative Entry 2025 — “The Journey Home” by Cole Whitaker.
- Best Music Video/Spoken Word Entry 2025 — “Not the Only One” by Kris Delmhorst and J. Elon Goodman.
- Best Youth Entry 2025 — “Mystery Lies Upon Us” by Cole Raffa, Lincoln Lafleur, Colton Kingsbury and Simon Helenek.
- Best Technical Achievement Entry 2025 — “Red Wolf in Time Out” by Dave Russo and Calliope Mary.
- Tip o’ the Hat Prize — “Our Schools, Our Towns” by Talia Miller.
Colrain establishes piracy policy
COLRAIN — Residents who use the town’s broadband to repeatedly pirate movies, music, etc. will be banned from using the service. The Selectboard approved creating a Repeat Copyright Infringement Policy last week, stating that anyone who reaches a fourth violation will be cut off from the town’s broadband.
Municipal Light Plant Manager Michael Slowinski told the board that Whip City Fiber, which provides the town’s broadband service, is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission and has to report any copyright infringement to the FCC. After a first and second violation, customers who use the town’s broadband for piracy will receive an email telling them not to violate copyright laws. After a third violation, the customer’s service will be shut off, and they must meet with Whip City Fiber to discuss the violation before they can have their broadband service restored.
After a fourth violation, it is up to the town to decide whether the customer is allowed to have their broadband service reinstated, Slowinski said. If Whip City Fiber does not respond to copyright infringement violations and they continue to occur, the FCC has the ability to shut down the service for the entire town.
Selectboard members agreed that having repeat offenders on the town’s broadband service is a liability, and voted to create a policy stating that after a fourth violation, customers will not have their service reinstated.
Shelburne PD hires first administrative assistant
SHELBURNE — Conway resident Rebecca Wells-Robinson has been hired to be the first administrative assistant at the Shelburne Police Department. The Selectboard created the role in hopes that the assistant would be able to help the police chief with administrative tasks and the day-to-day necessities at the department.
Earlier this month, Selectboard members voted unanimously to offer the 20-hour-a-week position to Wells-Robinson, at a rate of $25 per hour. On Monday, Sept. 22, Selectboard Chair Rick LaPierre informed the board that Wells-Robinson accepted their offer and would be starting work on Sept. 29.
“Rebecca comes to us with administrative experience, [having] demonstrated an ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters, and a strong commitment to teamwork and community service,” LaPierre said. “Her background and professionalism makes her an excellent fit for this critical role.”
Buckland welcomes new tax collector
BUCKLAND — Lifelong Shelburne resident Quinn Cusimano is the new Buckland tax collector.
Cusimano was hired at the end of August at a rate of $28 per hour. She replaces former Tax Collector Cara Leach, who stepped down to take a full-time job elsewhere. Town Administrator Pam Guyette told the Selectboard last week that Cusimano’s first few weeks on the job have gone well.
“Quinn’s been great,” Guyette said. “It’s been going really well. … We’re moving forward.”
The Tax Collector’s Office is located in the Town Hall at 17 State St. and is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Shelburne to withdraw request for CPA funds
SHELBURNE — The town plans to withdraw its application for $50,000 of Community Preservation Act funding for an engineering study to explore the replacement of the Glacial Potholes deck.
Selectboard Chair Rick LaPierre told board members last week that he felt member Andrew Baker acted hastily and without the board’s consent when he submitted a pre-application for funding through the Community Preservation Committee. The Selectboard had discussed ideas on what the town could use CPA funds for, but never took a formal vote to apply for funding for any specific project.
Board members voted 2-1 to withdraw the application.
Shelburne Highway Department to remove punch clock
SHELBURNE — The Selectboard has agreed that the Highway Department’s staff members no longer need to punch in and out when they arrive for their shift; instead, they can keep track of their hours on a timesheet.
Highway Superintendent Jeff Johnston requested the board make the change last week, stating that the Highway Department is the only department in town that is using a punch clock. He said he trusts his employees to fill out their timesheets accurately, and he would have to review and sign off on each one.
Finance Committee members said they felt it would be easier for employees to use the punch clock when they arrive and before they leave, but if the town is going to have one department use a punch clock, it needs to have all departments use one. Selectboard members voted unanimously to authorize the Highway Department to do away with the punch clock.
Oct. 1: Colrain Selectboard hosting office hours at Griswold Memorial Library
COLRAIN — Residents with questions, comments or concerns about the town can bring them to the Selectboard during the board’s first drop-in office hours.
Selectboard member Katie Korby will be at the Griswold Memorial Library, located at 12 Main Road, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Double Edge Theatre to host annual Community Day
ASHFIELD — Double Edge Theatre is hosting its annual Community Day on Sunday, Oct. 5. From noon to 3 p.m., community members can try their hand at theatrics.
Attendees can try out the bungees, make music with friends and learn more about the work of Double Edge Theatre.
The event is free to attend; however, advance registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, visit doubleedgetheatre.org.