Shelburne not moving forward with state grant
SHELBURNE — Following a review by the Finance Committee, Shelburne will not be moving forward with using a $4,915 state grant from the Green Communities Division for new lights at the Police Station at 623 Mohawk Trail.
Finance Committee member James Burnham said the town can do the project itself by making a few simple changes, which would ultimately save the town money.
According to Energy Committee member Jeff Boettner, by accepting the grant money, construction would need to include “a lot of high-tech stuff” that would increase the project cost by $7,000. The original price estimate was $15,250.
Boettner added that, in many instances at the building, they “just need a light switch.”
The Selectboard voted 3-0 to not accept the grant money.
Satellite dish to be installed at Village Information Center
SHELBURNE — Following unanimous approval by the Selectboard on Monday, a satellite dish will be installed at the Village Information Center at 75 Bridge St.
According to Ted Hanna, co-chair of the Shelburne Falls Alliance who has served as the point person for the project, the nonprofit already has an existing relationship with Hilltown Networks, a local internet provider. Part of the goal is to work with a local service, Hanna said, and it helps that Hilltown Networks offers a competitive rate.
There is currently very limited service at the Village Information Center, with the free Wi-Fi from the library offering some internet. About 3 feet behind where the proposed satellite dish will be is a Comcast box, which provides the phone line.
Selectboard member Rick LaPierre asked who the project cost would be charged to, and Hanna said the Shelburne Falls Alliance is taking on the entire expense, including installation, maintenance and the monthly service fee.
With the Selectboard’s approval, the satellite dish will be installed within two weeks.
Aug. 5: Community Preservation Committee holding public hearing
SHELBURNE — The Community Preservation Committee will hold a public hearing at Shelburne Town Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
According to T. Wilson “Will” Flanders, who chairs the committee, the hearing will be focused on letting the public know what the Community Preservation Committee has been doing. Some of this work includes providing funding for a new playground at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, Hill Cemetery restoration work, the Arms Library elevator and a billboard at Cowell Gymnasium.
Applying for funding involves a pre-application process where the committee reviews the project, as the Community Preservation Act only allows funding to be used for certain purposes. After that, the committee meets with each applicant before a full application is submitted in October. The Community Preservation Committee then makes decisions on funding allocations in February.
Catamount Hill Association to host annual meeting
COLRAIN — The Catamount Hill Association will host its annual meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 15, where the featured presentation will be the story of a Civil War veteran who was murdered in Colrain, titled “A Murder on Catamount Hill.”
The meeting will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Colrain, located at 81 Foundry Village Road. Local historian Prentice Crosier will walk attendees through the history of Catamount Hill, and present uncovered details in the murder of Joseph Riley Farnsworth, the Civil War veteran.
Membership in the Catamount Hill Association is not required to attend the free event.
Heath to hold tick prevention event
HEATH — With tick season in full swing, the town will host a shoe-spraying event at Sawyer Hall on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The spray that will be used on the shoes repels ticks that may carry Lyme disease or other tick-borne illnesses. According to the Heath Board of Health, ticks will often latch onto shoes or pantlegs first. By spraying shoes, the risk of the tick spreading Lyme disease or other illnesses is greatly reduced.
Anyone with questions can email the Board of Health at BOH@townofheath.org.
Heath Historical Society to host annual meeting
HEATH — The annual meeting of the Heath Historical Society will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, and will be followed by a potluck and a feature presentation.
The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the lower level of the Heath Union Church at 5 East Main St. All are welcome, though attendees are asked to bring a dish for the potluck.
The feature presentation will be about the history of oxen in New England, with the program titled “Educated Cattle.” It will be a deep dive into how the animals were portrayed in folklore, how they were used in warfare and the tradition of oxen at the Heath Fair.
This event is open to all ages, with families encouraged to attend.
Shelburne to sign contract with Sullivan & Sullivan Auctioneers
SHELBURNE — The town is moving forward with plans to auction off properties that were taken for back taxes.
After receiving two suggestions for companies that specialize in municipal auctions, the town is moving forward with hiring Sullivan & Sullivan Auctioneers.
The Selectboard voted 2-1 on Monday to authorize Treasurer/Collector Angel Bragdon to sign an agreement with the company to “get the ball rolling,” according to Selectboard member Rick LaPierre. Chair Andrew Baker voted against the proposal.
After the agreement is signed, Sullivan & Sullivan Auctioneers will provide more details and assess the values of the six properties that will be up for auction.
LaPierre mentioned that the fall might be the perfect time for these auctions to take place.
Live bugs coming to Griswold Memorial Library
COLRAIN — Normally a home for books, Griswold Memorial Library will host live bugs on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 1 p.m.
The event is hosted by the Fernald Club, the student-run entomology club at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The program has existed since 1925 and is responsible for the UMass Live Insect Zoo.
All ages are welcome to attend, and members of the club will be there to answer any questions that participants have about the bugs.
This event is being held in conjunction with the Massachusetts Statewide Summer Library Program. More information on the event is available at tinyurl.com/4wjupkem.
Bridge of Flowers Road Race looking for volunteers
SHELBURNE FALLS — The Bridge of Flowers Road Race is looking for volunteers for the Aug. 8 race.
Those who are interested in volunteering are asked to fill out a Google Form at tinyurl.com/BoFRoadRace. A pre-race meeting for all volunteers will be held at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School and pizza will be provided.
Short films on fly fishing to be shown at Shelburne Falls Theater at Memorial Hall
SHELBURNE FALLS — The Deerfield River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host the Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Shelburne Falls Theater at Memorial Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. A few short films will be shown in succession that focus on fly fishing.
During the event, a raffle will also be held. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or ahead of time at deerfieldrivertroutunlimited.com.