Montague Notebook: March 10, 2023

Published: 03-09-2023 3:34 PM

Gill-Montague School Committee nomination papers now available

Nomination papers for School Committee seats that will be on the May 16 annual town election ballot are now available at the Gill-Montague Regional School District Superintendent’s Office at 35 Crocker Ave. in Turners Falls.

For Gill residents, there is one seat with a one-year term and one seat with a three-year term. There are two seats with three-year terms and one seat with a two-year term that are open for Montague residents.

Completed nomination papers must be returned to the Superintendent’s Office by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 29.

For more information, contact Executive Assistant Tara McCarthy at 413-863-9324 or tara.mccarthy@gmrsd.org.

Montague residents invited to take UMass solar survey

MONTAGUE — In collaboration with University of Massachusetts Amherst students and UMass Clean Energy Extension, the town is inviting residents to take a survey fielding preferences regarding solar energy development in the community.

According to UMass Clean Energy Extension, “survey results will help guide the town to proactively plan for any future solar development that reflects community perspectives.” The survey can be found at bit.ly/3L0XDej. Residents may also receive a copy of the survey in the mail mid-month. Limited numbers of printed copies will be available at Town Hall or at any of Montague’s libraries.

Montague church hosting ham supper

MONTAGUE — The First Congregational Church of Montague will serve a ham and baked bean supper on Saturday, March 18, at 5:30 p.m.

The meal, available to eat in or take out, costs $15 and will include baked ham with raisin sauce, baked beans, coleslaw, carrots, rolls and gingerbread. Reservations can be made until March 16 by calling 413-367-2652.

Gill looks to fill three vacancies

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GILL — Vacant seats for a Cemetery Commission member, a Board of Health member and the tree warden highlight the ballot for Gill’s annual town election, which will be held on May 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Offices up for election that are not currently vacant include a Selectboard seat, an assessor seat, tax collector seat, a library trustee seat and three constable seats.

Those interested in running may obtain nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s Office until March 23 at 6 p.m. Prospective candidates must obtain the signatures of at least 25 registered Gill voters. Nomination papers must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on April 12.

Mobile food bank headed to Senior Center

TURNERS FALLS — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will bring a truck full of free, fresh and nonperishable groceries to the Gill-Montague Senior Center parking lot, 62 Fifth St., on Wednesday, March 15, 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.‌

Library holding puzzle swap

ERVING — Bring a jigsaw puzzle to swap for another or browse a selection of puzzles to borrow at the Erving Public Library on Sunday, March 12, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Library hosting vaccine clinic

ERVING — A flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held on Sunday, March 12, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Erving Public Library.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended. Those interested can register online at frcog.org/covid.

Those attending should bring identification, their insurance card and their vaccination card. Those who get vaccinated will be eligible for a free $75 gift card. All vaccines and boosters will be administered at no cost.

Montague authorizes ARPA funding for streetscape project

MONTAGUE — The Selectboard voted to authorize the use of up to $46,800 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for a land survey, landscape architecture services and civil engineering services associated with the Avenue A Streetscape Design Project between Third Street and Town Hall, as well as the execution of a professional services agreement with Berkshire Design Group.

The design funds will leverage a $975,000 Congressional Directed Spending grant for construction.

Montague officials in talks to continue fall festival

MONTAGUE — Although the Great Falls Festival annual tradition came to an end in 2022 after 12 years, some town officials have been “directly involved in conversations” to establish a new fall festival.

Town Administrator Steve Ellis told the Selectboard Monday that he, Recreation Director Jon Dobosz and Library Director Caitlin Kelley are among a group of “individuals who clearly have great investment in really providing support, time and energy” toward bringing a fall festival back to Montague. There is “a lot of technical work that has to be done” in preparation, he said, as well as potential advocacy for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and establishment of nonprofit status to qualify for other funding opportunities.

“We’re very much conceptualizing this as not a town event, per se, so there’s conversations about potentially forming a new 501c3 or working under the umbrella of an existing 501c3,” Ellis said.

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