Greenfield assessors offering workshops to bolster understanding of property taxes
GREENFIELD — In an effort to promote transparency and empower homeowners to better understand their tax bills, the Greenfield Board of Assessors is launching a new workshop series titled “Understanding Assessments and Property Taxes: Assessment Questions You Always Wanted Answered.” The series is being hosted by Greenfield Community College.
The workshop series aims to pull back the curtain on the assessment process, explaining exactly how the Assessor’s Office fits into city government and how property values are calculated. Two sessions are planned for Wednesday, Dec. 10, and Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
“Everyone talks about property taxes, but not everyone understands the mechanics behind them,” Board of Assessors Chair Jim Geisman said in a statement. “Our goal with these sessions is to give residents an inside look at what we do. We want homeowners to learn how to ensure they are getting a ‘fair shake’ and what steps to take if they disagree with their assessment.”
The workshops are designed to be educational and interactive. Topics will include:
- What assessors do and what they cannot do.
- How to access and read a Property Record Card.
- How to compare specific property taxes against neighbors to check for uniformity.
- Tax relief options and abatement application deadlines.
The free workshops will be presented by Geisman, Board of Assessors Clerk Chuck Green and Chief Assessor Christina Summers. All registrants will receive a digital PDF of the presentation.
Attendees can register at engage.gcc.mass.edu/workshops/understanding-assessments-property-taxes. The seminars are offered virtually via Zoom or in person in Greenfield Community College Room 208. A campus map is available at gcc.mass.edu/webdocs/gcc-campus-map.pdf.
‘Christianity Then and Now’ author speaking at library
GREENFIELD — Author George McCully will speak on his book, “Christianity Then and Now: Can It Be Saved?” on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at the Greenfield Public Library.
McCully states, “We are now entering a new age in human history — one of only four such transformations in the history of the West, in which all mature fields of human endeavor are being simultaneously transformed, to possibly create a new civilization. My book, ‘Christianity Then and Now: Can It Be Saved?’ describes a small but fundamental aspect of this transition.”
McCully has had two careers: first for 20 years as a professor of Renaissance and Reformation history, and as an independent philanthropy consultant. In 1996, he created the Catalogue for Philanthropy, which prompted a spike in Massachusetts giving and pioneered donor education nationwide. He resides in South Deerfield.
Greenfield High School to host Winter Concert
GREENFIELD — The Music Department at Greenfield’s public schools will hold its Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., in the Greenfield High School auditorium.
Greenfield High School’s Jazz Band, Marching Band and Concert Band will perform a mix of songs, including holiday season tunes. The concert will also include a performance by the Greenfield Middle School Band. The bands are directed by music teacher Hannah Cherry.
Admission is free. A bake sale and raffles will be available.
Saturday program to bring together visual artists
GREENFIELD — As part of the Community Art Show at The LAVA Center, Allen Fowler will lead a conversation with local visual artists on Saturday, Dec. 13, at noon.
People from the Community Art Show are invited to participate and will be asked to talk about their work and their process. Out of this conversation may emerge ideas for programming for visual artists in 2026. Everyone is invited to come listen, ask questions and explore where this group could go.
Dec. 13: Local Authors Book Fair
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library will celebrate the region’s diverse writing talent with its second Local Authors Book Fair on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Authors will be present in the Community Meeting Room. There will be fiction, nonfiction, children’s, teen and adult books as well as zines available for purchase and signing.
At 10 and 11:30 a.m., author panel discussions will be held in the Conference Room.
Comedy variety show, auction wrapping up 2025 fundraising at The LAVA Center
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. has announced two holiday benefits to conclude the 2025 season.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m., Andrea Cohen-Kiener’s Comedy Project will present “yOu aRe hERe!,” a comedy variety show. The lineup of comics, storytellers and musicians will include some regulars featured at the Comedy Project’s events, as well as some first-time and guest performers.
Tickets are available at bit.ly/lavacomedy. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Patrons who can afford it are asked to consider a donation to The LAVA Center.
On Saturday, Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the silent auction that launched The LAVA Center’s Fall Appeal in September will culminate in the LAVA Art Party featuring the Silent No More Auction. More than 100 works of art have been donated to the auction over the past three months; three dozen will be offered in this final round of bidding.
The auction will begin with an hour of refreshments and previewing/pre-bidding to the music of the Farley String Band. At noon, The LAVA Center’s Co-Coordinator Ash Goverman will make her debut as an auctioneer, presiding over the live auction. Door prizes offered by Main Street businesses and merchants will be awarded to those in attendance, with no requirement to bid to be eligible for a door prize. Surprise awards will be bestowed on the highest bidders of the entire auction.
All proceeds go toward helping The LAVA Center reach its fall fundraising goal of $10,000, and will go three times as far thanks to two donors who have pledged to match every bid.
‘Connections’ group to meet Dec. 16
GREENFIELD — Social worker Irene Woods will lead “Connections,” a group exploring ways to be proactive about making connections with others, at the Greenfield Senior Center on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Advance registration is required. Space is limited to 11. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up. Seniors from all towns are welcome.
Library to host ballet-inspired crafting
GREENFIELD — Hayley Descavich of Catherine Grace Studios in Montague will lead a holiday reading and craft inspired by “The Nutcracker” ballet on Friday, Dec. 19, at 3:30 p.m. at the Greenfield Public Library. The program is recommended for children ages 3 to 8.
Gingerbread-inspired wreath crafting planned
GREENFIELD — Residents ages 13 and up are invited to make paper gingerbread-inspired wreaths with artist Danielle Lucier in the Greenfield Public Library Makerspace on Monday, Dec. 22, at 6 p.m.
The program is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Register at greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/15104191.
Dec. 23: Nintendo Switch Tournament
GREENFIELD — Children and teens ages 10 to 18 are invited to participate in a Nintendo Switch Tournament at the Greenfield Public Library on Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pizza will be available.
‘Rising River’s Edge’ available for viewing
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center’s short documentary, “Rising River’s Edge,” is now available to view online. This film offers audiences a glimpse into the lives and struggles of farmers in Franklin County amid ongoing extreme weather.
Viewers can watch “Rising River’s Edge,” in exchange for sliding-scale donations, by visiting tixtree.com/o/lava.