Variety show auditions set for Feb. 15
ASHFIELD — The First Congregational Church of Ashfield and Pauline Productions invite everyone to show off their talents at the upcoming Hilltown Variety Show. Auditions will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. in advance of the March 14 performance.
All ages and acts are welcome; however, performances are limited to five minutes and must be family-friendly.
There is a required rehearsal on Friday, March 13, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The show will be free to attend from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, located at 429 Main St. Participants will not be paid for their performances.
If you are interested in auditioning, email info@paulinelive.com or just show up on Feb 15.
Learn about bees on Feb. 18
SHELBURNE — The Shelburne Grange is sponsoring a public program on bees on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, 17 Little Mohawk Road.
Join Kim Skyrm, chief apiary inspector for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ Apiary Program and east director for the Apiary Inspectors of America, for a presentation on how to be pollinator-friendly. Attendees will learn about the biology and natural history of common Northeast bees; share practical, science-based strategies for attracting and supporting pollinators at home; and hear updates on local and national honeybee health. The presentation aims to inspire participants to think about bees when spending time in their yards and to design gardens that function as thriving pollinator habitats, becoming informed and effective environmental stewards for bee populations.
Griswold Memorial Library forum postponed to Feb. 28
COLRAIN — Due to the recent snowstorm, the Griswold Memorial Library canceled the community forum that was scheduled for Jan. 24. It has since been rescheduled for Feb. 28.
Community members are invited to the library at 12 Main Road at 3 p.m. to review the library’s strategic plan and give input on what the mission, vision, values and priorities for the library should be in the coming years.
A snow date has been set for March 7.
Feb. 22: Boot drive
COLRAIN — The Colrain Firefighters’ Association will hold a boot drive fundraiser on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Drivers who pass the Fire Station on Main Road between 8 a.m. and approximately 5:30 p.m. are encouraged to drop a donation into members’ boots to support the Fire Department. A snow date has been set for March 1.
Colrain budget may include new assistant treasurer/tax collector position
COLRAIN — The town budget for fiscal year 2027 may include funding for creating a new assistant treasurer/tax collector position in preparation for the eventual retirement of Treasurer/Tax Collector Paula Harrison.
Town Administrator Diana Parsons told the Selectboard last week that Harrison has not set a date yet, but that she would like to retire in the next few years. To prepare for the transition, Parsons and Harrison would like to fund the creation of an assistant treasurer/tax collector position so Harrison can begin training someone who can eventually step into the role when she is ready to retire.
“I would like the board to consider funding an assistant treasurer/collector for just a fraction of the positions and the hours, to start getting that person certified as a treasurer/collector, which takes three years of school,” Parsons said. “You don’t want to have any vacancy. This is the person that moves your money, balances your checkbook and is key to your tax collection.”
Parsons said she does not yet have an exact number on how much the position would cost, but that she plans to continue to work with Harrison to develop a job description to present to the board. The Selectboard and Finance Committee are expected to review the town’s budget in the upcoming weeks.
Eagles Club liquor license approved
BUCKLAND — The Shelburne Falls Fraternal Order of Eagles is able to serve alcoholic beverages once more, as the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) has approved a new liquor license for the club with new manager and officers.
The Buckland Selectboard approved the Eagle Club’s license last week after receiving approval from the ABCC. The bar at the club has been closed since Jan. 1, pending approval of the new license.
Buckland encourages use of reverse 911 system
BUCKLAND — Town officials are encouraging residents to sign up for the town’s reverse 911 system, CodeRED, to receive alerts about road and town facility closures.
Town Administrator Pam Guyette told the Selectboard last week that the system was used to alert residents that the Transfer Station was closed, due to freezing temperatures causing the hydraulic-powered compactor to refuse to turn on. However, she said the town received some calls from residents who were not signed up for the alerts and expressed frustration that they had gone to the Transfer Station and were unable to leave their trash.
“We sent out a text alert and phone alert to everyone signed up, so that avoids the frustration of loading your vehicle and ending up with a carful of garbage that you can’t get rid of,” Guyette said.
For more information or to sign up for CodeRED, visit town.buckland.ma.us/codered.
New tree warden appointed in Rowe
ROWE — The Selectboard has appointed Connie Englert as the town’s new tree warden.
Englert, of West Halifax, Vermont, is the director of transportation services at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She told the Selectboard on Thursday that after a decades-long career in transportation, she is interested in shifting into the realm of tree management, which she views as “an art, a science and a point of love.”
The tree warden position is an unpaid, volunteer role. Englert said her work will involve collaborating with the Rowe Highway Department and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation to review the health of the trees in Rowe, and manage tree hearings and removal processes as needed.