Editor’s Note: With communities making efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, commonly called the coronavirus, local organizations and groups are limiting gatherings. The following is a list of cancellations, postponements and closures received by the Greenfield Recorder on Wednesday before 1 p.m. See additional cancellations in the previous Friday, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday editions.
■The First Congregational Church of Buckland, also called Mary Lyon Church, has canceled its corned beef and cabbage supper on Saturday, March 21, its brass ensemble concert on Friday, April 3, and its Singing Trooper concert on Sunday, April 5.
■The Sons & Daughters of Hawley’s Mud Party, originally scheduled for Sunday, March 22, has been canceled.
■Town boards are encouraging residents to do as much of their town business online or by phone as possible. Administrative Assistant Cass Nawrocki will be available by phone at 413-339-5518 or by email at info@townofhawley.com for general questions.
Tax Collector Elizabeth Nichols advises residents to pay their taxes online at townofhawley.com.
Assessors Assistant and Treasurer Virginia Gabert will work primarily remotely, and can be reached by email at treasurer@townofhawley.com. Residents can also leave a message for her at 413-339-5518. The April 1 Board of Assessors meeting has been canceled.
Town Clerk Pam Shrimpton will be available by phone at 413-339-4091 or by email at townclerk@townofhawley.com. If vital records are needed, she will make arrangements to get them to residents. Dog license applications can be mailed in.
■Town Hall (including town offices and the library), Community Hall (including the Senior Center and all related activities), the former school building and the highway and fire departments are closed to the general public until April 6, according to a notice from Heath Selectboard member Gloria Fisher. Staff will continue to assist the public by phone, email, U.S. mail or by appointment.
The Post Office will remain open, subject to the direction of the United States Postal Service. The Transfer Station will remain open during its normal hours. Updates can be found at townofheath.org.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors announced Wednesday it is suspending public open houses until further notice.
“This is a proactive step we are taking to ensure the safety of our agents, our clients and those who would be attending our open houses,” said Director of Operations Brian Megliola. “Knowing that 93 percent of buyers search for homes online, and with our use of technology, we know we have other, more effective and safer means of allowing potential buyers the opportunity to view a home. With the limited number of listings on the market right now and such a large buyer pool, our expected attendance numbers at our open houses would not be safe.”
Megliola advises potential buyers that they can still set up private showings with their buyer’s agent. Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors has offices in South Deerfield, Shelburne Falls, Amherst and Northampton.