MONTAGUE — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is requiring FirstLight Hydro Generating Co. to present all agreements relative to its three-facility relicensing process as “a formal settlement” by March 31, Town Administrator Steve Ellis informed the Selectboard on Monday.
Ellis said that at last week’s settlement meeting, federal agency representatives said “they have a lot of statutory requirements, so they cannot accept documentation that is coming in after that March 31 deadline.” In January, FirstLight Communications Manager Claire Belanger had said the hydropower company simply needed to “provide an update on the status of these negotiations by March 31.”
FirstLight, which previously submitted its Amended Final License Application to FERC for a new 50-year license to operate, has three facilities up for relicensing. Those facilities — the hydro-pump facility at Northfield Mountain and two hydroelectric dams in Turners Falls — have been criticized by environmental advocacy groups for their impact on fish, the Connecticut River and the surrounding environment. Last month, FirstLight finalized its hydropower-related flows and fish passage plans, a portion of the relicensing process that entails future operations related to fish passage and protected, threatened and endangered species.
TURNERS FALLS — A COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic will be held at Turners Falls High School on Thursday, Feb. 16, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Vaccines and COVID-19 boosters will be offered for free to anybody over six months old. Those planning to attend should bring personal identification, their insurance card and their vaccination card. Those who are uninsured should call a public health nurse at 413-824-5854 or bring a $28 check.
Anybody getting a COVID-19 vaccine or booster will be eligible for a free $75 gift card, courtesy of the state’s Get Boosted program.
TURNERS FALLS — Greenfield Savings Bank Deposit Operations Supervisor Shannon Manzi will present a “Money Matters” information session on types of bank accounts and their importance on Friday, Feb. 17, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Gill-Montague Senior Center at 62 Fifth St.
Manzi will discuss the differences between primary accounts and joint accounts, account ownership, beneficiaries, powers of attorney, and the relationship between bank account designations and one’s will.
The session is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
TURNERS FALLS — The Food Bank of Western Mass will bring a truck full of free, fresh and nonperishable groceries to the Gill-Montague Senior Center parking lot, 62 Fifth St., on Friday, Feb. 17, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
There are no eligibility requirements to receive food and anyone in need of assistance is invited to attend. There is no application or approval process, and personal information is not collected.
Those looking to attend are encouraged to arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to distribution time and bring boxes or bags to carry food.
MONTAGUE — The Gill-Montague Regional School District is looking to fill an open School Committee seat with a Montague resident.
Interested Montague residents should email Superintendent Brian Beck at brian.beck@gmrsd.org or send a letter to Beck at 35 Crocker Ave., Turners Falls, MA 01376 by Monday, Feb. 27. The committee will consider potential candidates at its Feb. 28 meeting.
ERVING — The Erving Public Library will host a puzzle swap on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Participants are advised to bring a jigsaw puzzle to exchange or the library can provide one to start with.
ERVING — The Erving Public Library will offer storytime for children ages 2 to 7 on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 1:30 p.m. Snacks and juice boxes will be available.