Ashfield, partners will not pursue Co-Response Grant

ASHFIELD — The Selectboard recently learned that, after discussion at an April 15 meeting, its grant partners have decided not to request funding through the Department of Mental Health’s Co-Response Grant for fiscal year 2027.

The grant allows towns to have a behavioral health clinician that is added to the workforce within the Police Department, according to the state’s website. These clinicians accompany officers on calls that involve mental health needs.

However, Ashfield still plans to submit a Department of Mental Health Training Grant application for FY27. This grant is through the Western Massachusetts Crisis Intervention Team —Training and Technical Assistance Center, and it differs in that it is a police-based crisis intervention training program designed to help first responders assist with mental health situations and substance use disorder.

Selectboard member Tom Carter said he believes the topic warrants more discussion, as six months ago, the Selectboard heard that the co-response program has been working well.

Carter asked if the program is “not valuable” or if it’s “too much work.” Town Administrator Paul McLatchy III noted it can be difficult for a mental health clinician to have a “guaranteed flow of work without going into social work.”

The Selectboard hopes to further discuss the co-response program at a future meeting.

Ashfield looks to use school for town events

ASHFIELD — After receiving a letter from a citizen regarding the accessibility of Town Hall, town officials will consider using Sanderson Academy for some events.

The letter, written by Sally Waisbrot, states that she’s heard talk of a new chairlift being planned for Town Hall, but that such a scenario would still prove to be more inaccessible than having events at a single-floor building like Sanderson Academy.

Town Administrator Paul McLatchy III said he has asked leadership at Sanderson Academy if holding town events there would be an issue, and he heard that as long as the events are taking place outside of normal school hours, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Selectboard Chair Todd Olanyk agreed that Sanderson Academy is “way more” accessible than Town Hall. McLatchy informed the Selectboard that he wrote back to Waisbrot and let her know that if the change was going to happen, it wouldn’t be for a while.

Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum recruiting volunteers

SHELBURNE FALLS — The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum at 14 Depot St. will hold a training day for prospective volunteers on Sunday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The training session exists mainly for returning crew members, but new volunteers are encouraged to attend as well. The training will cover safety issues; proper operation and care of Trolley No. 10; and how to explain the history of the trolley, the Shelburne Falls and Colrain Street Railway, and the Bridge of Flowers to museum visitors.

The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum is recruiting volunteers to help with its trolley car operation as well as ticket sellers, painters, carpenters and grounds maintenance.

Alden Dreyer, the crew dispatcher, noted, “We need motormen and conductors on weekends of our operating season, Memorial Day weekend until the end of October. … The conductor is in charge of the car and responsible for passenger safety at all times. The motorman runs the car in a safe and careful manner. Conductors give a 5-minute talk at the end of the line on the history of trolley operations and must be prepared to answer various questions.”

A free pizza lunch will be offered. For more information, visit sftm.org/training.shtml.

Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis set for Sunday

SHELBURNE FALLS — The 27th annual Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis will be held on Sunday, May 17, with the walk starting at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School. Registration starts at 1 p.m. and the walk begins at 1:30 p.m.

There are two different routes, one being a 1.5-mile mainly flat route and the other being a 3-mile hilly route. Both options go over the Bridge of Flowers. No dogs are allowed.

Those who can’t attend the walk but would still like to donate can provide donations to individual walkers who have registered. To register to participate in the walk, visit fundraise.cff.org/shelburnefallsgs2026.