Oct. 11: Fifth annual Chestnut Festival
SUNDERLAND — Attendees can embark on farm tours, watch cooking demonstrations and chestnut roastings, and listen to local music at Big River Chestnuts’ fifth annual Chestnut Festival on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 195 River Road.
The event is a collaboration with Wing and a Prayer Nursery in Cummington, They Keep Bees in Montague, Mycoterra Farm in South Deerfield and Perfect Circle Farm in Barre, Vermont.
The suggested donation is $5 to $15. The Facebook event can be viewed at tinyurl.com/ChestnutFestival2025.
Oct. 22: Community Preservation Community invites residents to hearing on future projects
DEERFIELD — The Community Preservation Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall to inform residents about the CPC Plan draft and hear their thoughts. Residents can learn how the committee supports the town, share any ideas for future projects and ask questions while snacking on refreshments.
“We need to hear from you. What are your priorities? How do you want your tax dollars spent?” Community Preservation Committee Chair Kathy Sylvester wrote in a statement. More information is available at deerfieldma.us/241/Community-Preservation-Committee.
Friends of the Sunderland Public Library’s annual Autumn Auction returns
SUNDERLAND — The Friends of the Sunderland Public Library’s annual Autumn Auction will open online on Nov. 5 and continue through Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
The auction will include gift cards and donations from local businesses, along with items from local artists and crafters, like the Sunderland Knitting Circle that meets weekly in the library. A few items up for auction include blankets, scarves, hats, household goods, gifts, holiday decorations, paintings and sculptures, the library’s website reads. Proceeds will fund public programs, technology and other services at the library.
Bidding will begin online on Nov. 5 at tinyurl.com/SunderlandLibraryAuction, but bidders can check out auction items in the library on Friday, Oct. 31, from noon to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Deerfield Selectboard sets sewer rate hearing date
DEERFIELD — The Selectboard reviewed the sewer rate during its meeting Wednesday night ahead of a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m.
Selectboard Chair Trevor McDaniel outlined the budget based on water use in town. For fiscal year 2026, they budgeted for about 74 million gallons, a “conservative” number, according to McDaniel.
For a total budget of roughly $2.2 million, the draft rate came to $26 per 1,000 gallons of water, $3 higher than the FY25 rate. Residents using the sewer system must also pay a service fee of $150 per annual billing cycle or $100 for a minimum usage fee, the same rates as in FY25.
McDaniel added that the budget will also fund the purchase of a $40,000 vacuum truck. He described the price as “a huge deal.”
“It won’t affect the rate much at all,” McDaniel said.