Charlemont receives earmark for fire truck
CHARLEMONT — The town recently received a $599,000 earmark from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which will be used to cover the full cost of a fire truck purchase.
Funding for the truck had been appropriated at Charlemont’s Annual Town Meeting in 2025, but will no longer be needed thanks to the earmark, which came through a fiscal year 2026 appropriations request. The fire truck purchase, with town funding, would have added an additional $90,000 on the town’s taxes for each of the five years of payment.
According to Town Administrator Sarah Reynolds, the cost of the fire truck was $450,000, while outfitting added an extra $149,000.
Mediation has not yet started in case of Ashfield junkyard
ASHFIELD — At the June 25 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the board heard an update from the appellants and the respondent in the case of the junkyard at 995 West Road.
The junkyard has been the subject of much debate and public comment in town after Randy Gobeil filed an appeal arguing that Building Commissioner Jim Hawkins’ determination that the junkyard existed before the 1995 bylaw banning them was incorrect and it could not be “grandfathered in,” as Hawkins has stated. Ticia Kane, a direct abutter, later joined the appeal, and an agreement to pursue mediation was reached in the spring.
The attorney for the appellants, John McLaughlin, and respondent Sabra Billings both informed the ZBA that mediation has not started yet, as they are still seeking a mediator.
The ZBA suggested having another meeting with both parties on Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m. over Zoom to see how much progress has been made.
Hawley to host Fourth of July cookout, reading of Declaration of Independence
HAWLEY — The town will host a reading of the Declaration of Independence followed by a barbecue on Saturday, July 4, starting at 11 a.m. and concluding at around 1:30 p.m.
Administrative Assistant Tinky Weisblat said she hopes the event will bring the town together to celebrate the Fourth of July, even if the weather doesn’t cooperate. The barbecue will be held outside the Town Office, and in the case of rain, it will move inside.
Members of the Hawley Fire Department will handle the grilling. Those who attend are asked to bring a salad or dessert.
Hawley hears from Charlemont about state earmark
HAWLEY — The Hawley Selectboard heard from Charlemont Selectboard member Wilder Sparks on Tuesday about the state earmark that Charlemont is requesting after being overcharged nearly $110,000 by the Mohawk Trail Regional School District over a five-year period. Hawley, too, was overcharged by roughly $10,000 over that same time period, while the district’s six other member towns were undercharged.
Sparks let the Hawley Selectboard know about the process of requesting this earmark, and said he has written a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark’s office. Selectboard member Hussain Hamdan noted that while he is fine with requesting the earmark from the state, he “wouldn’t want it from the other towns.”
Colrain holding flower garden tour and plant sale
COLRAIN — The Colrain Historical Society’s second flower garden tour and plant sale will take place on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12.
Maps of the self-guided tour are given with the purchase of a ticket, which can be purchased for $20 at Pine Hill Orchards at 248 Greenfield Road.
Plants will be sold at two locations: Checkerspot Farm at 30 Jacksonville Road and organizer Deb Wheeler’s house at 90 Call Road.
Speakers will give mini lectures at the two locations, with Helen Olson talking about the “Greenhouse Challenge,” and Elizabeth Erickson introducing people to pollinator gardens.
On Saturday only, grab-and-go lunches will be available for purchase at Pine Hill Orchards or the Catamount Country Store.