The FCSWMD and Franklin County Tech School are hosting a repair event from 9am - 1pm at the Tech School.
Free Regional Repair Event
Saturday, May 31st
The Franklin County Solid Waste District and the Franklin County Tech School are hosting the 1st annual Regional Repair Event on Saturday, May 31st from 9 am – 1 pm at the Tech School, 82 Industrial Blvd, Turners Falls.
Students, instructors, and local fixers will be on hand. Every effort will be made to repair your item(s). Antiques and heirlooms cannot be fixed at this event.
Bring: Also!
- Lamps and household electrical items * Blood pressure checks
- Wooden items like chairs and stools
- Items needing to be glued * Tick-repellent boot
- Knives to sharpen (2 per household) spraying (10-noon only)
- Lawn mower blades for sharpening
- Chainsaw chains for sharpening * Food by the Culinary Dept.
- Mending (sewing); darning; wool repair
- Sadie’s Bikes will offer repairs that do not require parts. For example, adjust brakes, oil chain, etc. They will also provide instruction on repairs.
For more information, contact the Solid Waste District at 413-772-2438 or email fcswmd@crocker.com.
Visit franklincountywastedistrict.org for updated information.
We may need to limit the number of repairs per participant based on the number of participants waiting for a repair slot. Fixers will do their best to repair items. Some items may not be fixable. Fixers and organizers will not be responsible for damages.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, May 21, 2025
Updated: Wed, May 21, 2025
Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont School Committees vote to move forward with sustainability recommendation.
May 15, 2025
MOHAWK TRAIL AND HAWLEMONT SCHOOL COMMITTEES VOTE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SUSTAINABILITY RECOMMENDATION
In separate meetings held the week of May 12, 2025, the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont School Committees each voted to accept the recommendation of the 2D8T Steering Committee that the districts move forward with additional research, analysis and community outreach toward achieving the “aspirational goal” of a centralized campus at the Mohawk Trail Regional School (MTRS) to serve all PK-12 students in the eight district towns. The School Committees also authorized the 2D8T Steering Committee to continue its oversight of the project.
The recommendation followed more than 16 months of work by the Steering Committee and its consultant, BERK12, to analyze the operating and organizational structures of Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont and explore options to help ensure the highest quality educational experiences for students while also addressing the fiscal impacts of declining enrollment, rising operational costs, flat state aid, and increasing student needs.
The path approved by the School Committees outlines a phased transition to a centralized campus over a 5- to 7-year period:
Phase I
- Create a single district, merging Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont.
- Combine all Grade 6 students into a reorganized middle school (Grades 6-8) at MTRS.
- Consolidate some combination of elementary schools.
- Apply to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for funding to create/remodel space(s) on the MTRS campus for elementary school use.
Phase II
- Move all elementary grades to the remodeled/newly constructed spaces on the MTRS campus.
Each part of this plan is interdependent, as is the exact timing of implementation. The recommendation represents a blueprint for action while also leaving room to adjust, if necessary, based on further analysis, continued community input, and changing circumstances.
Much remains to be done – most importantly exploring in depth the specifics that are critical to the plan’s feasibility and success including, e.g., the details of educational programming; capital costs to towns and the impact on property tax rates; student transportation and travel times; options for the re-use of school buildings; thoughtful staffing plans that rely on attrition and re-assignment rather than simple reductions in force; and a detailed transition plan and timeline. Over the next few months, all stakeholders will have multiple opportunities – at community meetings, focus groups and other engagement sessions – to discuss the ongoing work, share their aspirations and concerns, and explore potential pitfalls and opportunities.
None of this will be easy, nor is there any guarantee of success. The final decision rests with the eight-town voters. All stakeholders are encouraged to continue participating in this important process. Everyone’s input and involvement is crucial. As the Steering Committee noted:
Change is hard. Our schools are small and expensive. Most of them have deteriorating physical structures, outdated electrical systems, and insufficient technological infrastructure. All of this affects student learning and needs to be addressed, whether we combine and reorganize or not. This plan is designed to better position our schools with more resources and broader social advantages, to give our children the education, support, and choices they need and deserve.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 15, 2025
Updated: Thu, May 15, 2025
Come join other West County Towns for a special presentation at Buckland Public Library on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Where Is Away? (Composting is Local!)
Tuesday, May 13
5:30 pm - 7 pm
Buckland Public Library
30 Upper St, Buckland, MA 01338
Free and open to all area residents
Do recyclables really get recycled? Where does trash from Franklin County end up? How can you compost at home? Learn how to reduce trash and save money through composting and recycling with Amy Donovan, Program Director at Franklin County Solid Waste Management District. The presentation is free and open to all residents of Franklin County. Recycling guides and handouts will be available.
The Solid Waste District manages recycling, composting, and hazardous waste programs
for 21 member towns, including 17 municipal transfer stations. Ms. Donovan has started 25 local school compost programs and launched 15 municipal compost programs. She represents Franklin County on the Advisory Board of the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility (MRF), where recyclables from Franklin County are sorted, baled, and marketed for recycling.
For more information: amy@franklincountywastedistrict.org or 413-772-2438. MA Relay for the hearing impaired: 711 or 1-800-439-2370 (TTY/TDD). The District is an equal opportunity provider.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, May 7, 2025
Updated: Wed, May 7, 2025
The Town Office and Fire Station gardens are looking great, thanks to the crew at Lanoue's!
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, May 7, 2025
Updated: Wed, May 7, 2025
Available for pickup at the Town Office, Griswold Memorial Library or on our website.
Posted: to General Town News on Fri, May 2, 2025
Updated: Thu, May 8, 2025
The Warrant and budget documents have been posted.
Please reach out to the Town Administrator's office with any questions or to receive the documentation in another format. There are hard copies available at the Town Office and the Town Meeting.
If you are in need of childcare during the meeting, please sign up by emailing bos@colrain-ma.gov or adminasst@colrain-ma.gov.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 1, 2025
Updated: Thu, May 1, 2025
Weather permitting, a portion of Heath Rd will be closed from 4/9/2025 to 4/15/2025.
Western Earthworks will continue the work on the culvert replacement on Heath Rd starting Wednesday 4/9/2025 through Friday 4/11/2025 Tuesday 4/15/2025, weather permitting. Heath Rd will be closed to through traffic from Hager Cross Rd to Maxam Rd during this time.
Please follow the posted detour (highlighted below in yellow) or seek alternate routes.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Apr 3, 2025
Updated: Mon, Apr 7, 2025
Pick up roadside litter to keep Colrain beautiful!
Sign up for a section of road here!
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Mar 31, 2025
Updated: Mon, Mar 31, 2025
The closing date for the FY2026 ATM warrant is April 3, 2025 at 3:00pm.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Mar 17, 2025
Updated: Mon, Mar 17, 2025
Read the latest update from Berk12 regarding the Sustainability Study for the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts
JANUARY UPDATE
Sustainability Study reaches key milestone
January 28, 2025. The Sustainability Study, commissioned jointly by the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Schools Committees, reached a key milestone in late January. Over the past several months, the project’s consulting team, BERK12, has completed an in-depth financial and educational analysis of the five options selected as “necessary” or “most promising” by the Sustainability Project Steering Committee back in November. Lead BERK12 consultant Jake Eberwein presented his group’s findings to the Steering Committee on January 23 (the full presentation is available here), and discussed the results with a joint session of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont School Committees on January 27.
As the next step in the process, the Steering Committee has planned a series of meetings to share the results of this work with community members in the eight towns served by the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts. Each meeting will include a presentation followed by an opportunity for discussion of the findings and the pros and cons of each option. Community members, parents, students, school staff, and elected officials are encouraged to attend.
Meeting dates/times are:
- February 25, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary, 6:30-8 pm
- March 6, all virtual meeting, Google Meet, 6:30-8 pm
- March 11, Sanderson Academy, 5:30-7:00 pm
- March 19, Hawlemont Regional School, 6:30-8 pm
- March 20, Mohawk Trail Regional School, 6:30-8 pm
- March 26, Colrain Central School, 6:30-8 pm
(The March 6 meeting is virtual, and all other meetings are in person with a virtual option.)
In addition to the community meetings, Superintendent Sheryl Stanton, MTRSD school committee chair Martha Thurber, and HRSD vice chair Kenneth Bertsch will be providing updates at select board meetings throughout the districts’ towns in March.
Findings from the research team show that significant fiscal savings and efficiencies can be achieved through some form of consolidation. Additionally, educational opportunities (academic, co-curricular, social) for students and professional experiences for educators could be enhanced through consolidation efforts that combine grade cohorts into fewer buildings or a single building. While some consolidation models can be achieved in existing buildings, the larger scale options that involve consolidation of schools will require facilities investments that are likely only achievable in partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).
Community members are encouraged to learn more about the Sustainability Study by visiting www.2districts8towns.org. The website includes reports that have been written by BERK12, presentations to the Steering Committee and other groups, and the project work plan. Recent additions to the website include Frequently Asked Questions and a series of informational briefs on topics such as class size, best practices, and moving grade six to middle school.
Zoom links and a registration link for the community meetings are posted on the website. For more information, contact Project Manager Jake Eberwein, jakeeberwein@gmail.com.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Jan 29, 2025
Updated: Wed, Jan 29, 2025
HOLIDAY RECYCLING REMINDER
Happy Holidays! Thank you for your recycling efforts over the past year. Following are some guidelines for recycling during the holiday months and all year long:
Please DO include the following items in your paper recycling mix:
- wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper (except these materials w/ metallic inks, glitter, or foil)
- corrugated cardboard boxes, paperboard gift boxes
- paper shopping bags (any type of handle is okay)
- paper greeting cards (not with metallic inks, glitter, or foil; remove batteries)
- catalogs, calendars and magazines
Please DO NOT include the following items in your household recycling:
- ribbons, bows, and tinsel (reusable from year to year)
- holiday light strings (accepted in scrap metal dumpsters & WTE scrap metal, Greenfield)
- packing peanuts, Styrofoam™, bubble wrap, inflatable “air pillow” packaging (clean, dry packing materials accepted for reuse at The UPS Store in Greenfield.)
- plastic bags, plastic shipping envelopes, bubble wrap, air pillows (recycle at grocery stores along with clean, dry plastic bags marked #2 or #4 (https://nextrex.com/view/educate#materials1)
- formed plastic packaging from items like toys and electronics
- glossy photographs, paper envelopes with bubble wrap inside, ornaments, decorations
Questions? Franklin County Solid Waste Management District: info@franklincountywastedistrict.org, (413) 772-2438
More info: franklincountywastedistrict.org, springfieldmrf.org.
MA Relay for the hearing impaired: 711 or 1-800-439-2370 (TTY/TDD).
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Dec 11, 2024
Updated: Wed, Dec 11, 2024
The DRAFT Colrain Pollinator Action Plan is now available for public comment through 12/13/2024.
The DRAFT Colrain Pollinator Action Plan is now available for public comment. The Colrain plan is one component of the Regional Pollinator Plan for Franklin County currently being updated. Comments can be submitted to Tamsin Flanders (TFlanders@frcog.org) through Friday, December 13th. The final plan will be made available in January, 2025.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Dec 9, 2024
Updated: Mon, Dec 9, 2024
A portion of Heath Rd will be closed for culvert replacement from 11/26 to approx. 1/3/2025
Western Earthworks will begin work on the culvert replacement on Heath Rd starting Tuesday 11/26/2024 until early next year. Heath Rd will be closed to through traffic from Hager Cross Rd to Maxam Rd during this time.
Please follow the posted detour (highlighted below in yellow) or seek alternate routes.
* Heath Rd will be closed between the two red lines
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Nov 25, 2024
Updated: Mon, Nov 25, 2024
Immediate openings for On-Call Snow Plow Drivers
The Town of Colrain has immediate openings for On Call Snow Plow Drivers, with and without Commercial Drivers License, for the 2024-2025 season. Pay rate starts at $26.50/hour. No need to own a plow vehicle, the town will provide one. Application linked here. Can be returned by email to highway@colrain-ma.gov or dropped off at the Town Offices, 55 Main Road, Colrain MA 01340. The Town of Colrain is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Oct 31, 2024
Updated: Fri, Nov 1, 2024
Thursday, October 10th at 7:00 pm an update from the 2District8Towns Sustainability Study will be presented.
SEPTEMBER UPDATE
Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts
Sustainability Study
Contact: H. Jake Eberwein, Project Manager, jakeeberwein@gmail.com
September 27, 2024
The 2districts8towns Sustainability Study is moving into a new phase following the completion of a series of reports and the identification of options and opportunities that could strengthen and sustain the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts. During this phase, the BERK12 research team will work with the 2districts8towns steering committee to identify possible models that address challenges faced by the districts and engage the community in providing input.
On October 10, 7:00–8:30 pm, BERK12 will give a virtual update on progress of the Sustainability Study. Community members, school families, and district staff are encouraged to participate and can access the meeting through these links:
VIDEO LINK https://meet.google.com/pme-pqjc-qwr
JOIN BY PHONE Call: 1 505-636-0084, When prompted, use PIN: 981 448 988#
In addition, Superintendent Sheryl Stanton and School Committee Chairs Martha Thurber and Elizabeth Van Iderstine will meet with local selectboards on the following dates to provide progress reports:
- Charlemont and Hawley select boards, October 7, 7:00 pm, Hawlemont Regional School cafeteria
- Buckland select board, October 8, 6:15 pm, Buckland Town Hall
- Ashfield and Plainfield select boards, October 15, 7:00 pm, Sanderson Academy
- Shelburne select board, October 21, 6:00 pm via Zoom
- Colrain and Heath select boards, October 22, 4:35 pm, Colrain Town Hall
BERK12 is continuing to post reports on the resources page of the 2districts8towns resource page website, while others are in review by the advisory teams. The most recently added reports are a Community Outreach report and an Early Childhood Brief. A progress report summarizing work and findings to date will be added soon.
Through a series of working sessions this summer (slide decks HERE under presentations), the 2Districts8Towns Steering Committee evaluated a comprehensive list of potential options and opportunities that were identified in surveys and public forums. BERK12 will guide the Steering Committee in reviewing which models best address the district’s challenges and will offer ongoing opportunities for public input as these models are considered.
Community members are encouraged to submit questions or comments through the CONTACT link on the website. For those just becoming familiar with the Sustainability Study, a one page project overview is available HERE.
For more information, contact project manager H. Jake Eberwein, jakeeberwein@gmail.com or community outreach coordinator Mary Nash, msnash3@gmail.com.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Oct 1, 2024
Updated: Tue, Oct 1, 2024
Nate Gilbert is the Interim Highway Superintendent and Joel Paszko is the new Highway Laborer/Equipment Operator
On August 13th, Nate Gilbert accepted the offer from the Select Board as the Interim Highway Superintendent, which took effect on August 19th. Nate has been with the Town of Colrain as a Laborer/Equipment Operator and Mechanic for over 15 years and has been a valuable member of the team. The Board recognized and thanked Nate for his years of hard work and dedication to the Department and Town.
The Select Board promoted Lee Wheeler to Laborer/Equipment Operator II, effective September 23rd. Lee has been a committed member of the Highway Department for over 30 years and the Board and Town are grateful for his years of service.
Lastly, Joel Paszko joined the Highway Department on September 23rd, with several years of municipal experience and has been a welcome addition to the team.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Sep 26, 2024
Updated: Thu, Sep 26, 2024
Several Boards and Committees are looking to fill vacancies.
Would you like to be more involved in Colrain? Below are all the Town Boards and Committees with members appointed by the Select Board or Moderator and the status of vacancies on each.
Visit each of the Board/Committee webpages to find out more information, i.e. meeting times, mission statement, what they do, etc. Should you choose to volunteer, submit the
Board & Committee Interest Form expressing your interest in serving or
email the Town Administrator with the name of the board you would like to serve on and a brief explanation of why. The request will then be submitted to the Select Board or Moderator, who will be in contact with you.
* All of the above Boards/Committees are appointed by the Select Board, unless otherwise indicated.
The Select Board also appoints the Tree Warden (three-year term) and Gypsy Moth Superintendent (one-year term). Both volunteer positions are currently vacant.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Jul 11, 2024
Updated: Thu, Jul 11, 2024
The tractor and mower approved for purchase at the FY2024 Annual Town Meeting was delivered this week.
Residents voted to approve the transfer of $190,000 from free cash to purchase a new tractor with mower attachment for the Highway Department at the FY2024 Town Meeting. The John Deere tractor and mower was delivered this week and will be a useful tool to the department!
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 30, 2024
Updated: Thu, May 30, 2024
A note from the Town Moderator who appoints members to the Committee
As your newly elected Town Moderator it is my responsibility to appoint members to the Town Finance Committee. At present there are three openings on the committee.
The responsibilities of the committee are shown on the Finance Committee page on the town website.
Ideally a member of the committee should have an understanding of budgeting, finance, spreadsheets, have the interests of the entire town in mind, and should be able to work amicably with people with whom they may disagree. It is desirable that at least one of the appointees will be able to take minutes of meetings and make sure that they are posted promptly at the Town Hall and on the town website.
Please email letters of interest or recommendation to:
Joe Kurland
Town Moderator
413-624-3204
cell: 413-768-1976
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, May 28, 2024
Updated: Tue, May 28, 2024
The Selectboard and Finance Committee present their recommendations on each ATM Warrant Article.
TOWN OF COLRAIN
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Fiscal Year 2025
FRANKLIN SS:
To either of the Constables of the Town of Colrain in the County of Franklin.
GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote on town affairs, to meet at the Colrain Central School, located at 22 Jacksonville Road at 7:00 PM in said town on Tuesday the fourth day in June 2024, there and then to act on the following articles:
ARTICLE #1. To see if the Town will instruct the Town Clerk to report on the election of officers and ballot questions as follows:
Select Board Member 3 years
Assessor 3 years
Library Trustees 3 years
Library Trustees 3 years
Constable 3 years
Moderator 3 years
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #2. To hear reports of various Town Officers and act thereon or pass any vote or votes thereto.
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #3. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salaries of Compensation of Elected Officers of the Town, as provided by MGL Chapter 4l, section l08 as amended; the salaries or compensations for the period of July l, 2024 – June 30, 2025, are as follows, or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto:
|
|
Voted
|
Proposed
|
|
|
FY 2024
|
FY 2025
|
|
Select Board, Chair
|
$3,600
|
$3,708
|
|
Select Board, Clerk
|
$3,600
|
$3,708
|
|
Select Board, Member
|
$3,600
|
$3,708
|
|
Moderator
|
$114
|
$118
|
|
Town Clerk
|
$25,116
|
$25,869
|
|
Board of Assessors, Chair
|
$3,585
|
$3,692
|
|
Board of Assessors, Member
|
$3,585
|
$3,692
|
|
Board of Assessors, Member
|
$3,585
|
$3,692
|
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #4. To see if the Town will vote to make the following appropriations to fund the Town Operating Budget and raise by taxation, or otherwise provide, the required amounts, or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto:
|
|
VOTED
|
PROPOSED
|
|
|
FY 2024
|
FY 2025
|
|
General Government:
|
|
|
|
Selectboard Wages
|
10,800
|
$11,124
|
|
Selectboard Expenses
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
|
Town Administrator Wages
|
$95,000
|
$95,000
|
|
Town Counsel
|
$10,000
|
$10,000
|
|
Town Administrator Expenses
|
$500
|
$500
|
|
Administrative Assistant Wages
|
31,150
|
$32,085
|
|
Town Office Maintenance Expenses
|
$17,900
|
$18,000
|
|
Professional Development
|
$500
|
$500
|
|
Office Expense
|
$40,770
|
$41,860
|
|
Town Telephone
|
$4,500
|
$4,600
|
|
Custodian Wages
|
$6,491
|
$6,686
|
|
Town Reports and Ballots
|
$800
|
$800
|
|
Advertising Expense
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
|
Annual Independent Audit
|
$16,000
|
$16,500
|
|
Town Accountant Fee
|
$25,200
|
$28,800
|
|
Accounting Software Expense
|
$3,970
|
$4,170
|
|
Total General Government:
|
$265,581
|
$272,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
Town Clerk:
|
|
|
|
Town Clerk Wages
|
$25,116
|
$25,869
|
|
Town Clerk Expenses
|
$5,615
|
$3,115
|
|
Election Expenses
|
$4,466
|
$6,229
|
|
Total Town Clerk:
|
$35,197
|
$35,213
|
|
|
|
|
|
Police Department:
|
|
|
|
Police Chief Wages
|
$34,136
|
$35,161
|
|
Full-time Officer Wages
|
$51,116
|
$52,852
|
|
Part-Time Officer Wages
|
$25,648
|
$26,416
|
|
Police Office Expenses
|
$1,800
|
$2,000
|
|
Police Training Expenses
|
$6,000
|
$6,000
|
|
Police Equipment Expenses
|
$16,835
|
$18,235
|
|
Police Cruiser Expenses
|
$11,500
|
$12,500
|
|
Total Police Department:
|
$147,035
|
$153,164
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fire Department:
|
|
|
|
Fire Other Wages
|
$23,080
|
$26,050
|
|
Fire Chief Wages
|
$6,850
|
$7,056
|
|
Fire Officers Wages
|
$2,946
|
$3,036
|
|
Firefighters Wages
|
$41,791
|
$45,000
|
|
Fire Department Clerical Wages
|
$2,483
|
$2,558
|
|
Fire Pumper Maintenance and Equipment Expenses
|
$45,150
|
$45,150
|
|
Fire House Maintenance
|
$21,000
|
$22,700
|
|
Total Fire Department:
|
$143,330
|
$151,549
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emergency Management:
|
|
|
|
Emergency Management Wages
|
$1,997
|
$2,057
|
|
Emergency Management Expenses
|
$2,700
|
$2,700
|
|
Total Emergency Management:
|
$4,697
|
$4,757
|
|
|
|
|
|
Building Inspector Department:
|
|
|
|
Building inspector Wages
|
$9,746
|
$10,038
|
|
Building Inspector Expenses
|
$200
|
$200
|
|
Inspection Software
|
$3,445
|
$3,445
|
|
Inspector Certification
|
$870
|
$870
|
|
Total Building Inspector Department:
|
$14,261
|
$14,553
|
|
Highway Department:
|
|
|
|
Highway Superintendent Wages
|
$74,880
|
$77,127
|
|
Highway Laborer/ Equipment Operator/Mechanic Wages
|
$71,775
|
$74,213
|
|
Highway Laborer/Equipment Operator Wages
|
$73,568
|
$58,712
|
|
Highway Temporary/Seasonal Wages
|
$4,193
|
$4,319
|
|
Highway Overtime Wages
|
$22,277
|
$22,945
|
|
Contracted Services-Snow and Ice Removal
|
$40,000
|
$20,000
|
|
General Highway Maintenance
|
$121,300
|
$121,300
|
|
Machinery Maintenance
|
$43,000
|
$43,000
|
|
Bridges
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
|
Gasoline, Diesel, and Oil
|
$65,800
|
$65,800
|
|
CDL Drug Testing
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
|
Winter Roads
|
$86,401
|
$94,300
|
|
Streetlights
|
$5,500
|
$7,000
|
|
Highway Garage Maintenance
|
$20,900
|
$20,900
|
|
Total Highway Department:
|
$633,593
|
$613,616
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assessors Department:
|
|
|
|
Assessor’s Wages
|
$10,755
|
$11,077
|
|
Director of Assessing Wages
|
$44,287
|
$44,376
|
|
Assessor’s Expenses
|
$19,080
|
$17,580
|
|
Total Assessor’s Department:
|
$74,122
|
$73,033
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasurer/Collector:
|
|
|
|
Treasurer/Collector Wages
|
$65,520
|
$66,950
|
|
Treasurer/Collector Expenses
|
$23,110
|
$25,810
|
|
Tax Title Expense
|
$10,000
|
$15,000
|
|
Tax Foreclosure Custodian Expense
|
$5,000
|
$5,000
|
|
Interest and Fees on Short-term Indebtedness
|
$0
|
$9,150
|
|
Total Treasurer/Collector:
|
$103,630
|
$121,910
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board of Health:
|
|
|
|
Board of Health Clerical Wages
|
$2,600
|
$1,500
|
|
Board of Health Expenses
|
$500
|
$2,000
|
|
Code Violation Enforcement
|
0
|
$5,000
|
|
Total Board of Health:
|
$3,100
|
$8,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Animal Inspector Department:
|
|
|
|
Inspector Of Animals Wages
|
$1,500
|
$1,545
|
|
Inspector of Animals Expense
|
$200
|
$200
|
|
Total Animal Inspector Department:
|
$1,700
|
$1,745
|
|
|
|
|
|
Library Department:
|
|
|
|
Library Director Wages
|
$40,537
|
$41,758
|
|
Library Assistant Director Wages
|
0
|
$14,188
|
|
Library Assistant Librarian Wages
|
$13,435
|
$5,669
|
|
Library Expenses
|
$43,099
|
$46,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Library Department:
|
$97,071
|
$107,695
|
|
|
|
|
|
Council on Aging Expenses
|
$20,000
|
$20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer Station Department:
|
|
|
|
Transfer Station Wages
|
$22,486
|
23,161
|
|
Transfer Station Expenses
|
$79,112
|
$71,974
|
|
Total Transfer Station Department:
|
$101,598
|
$95,135
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unclassified Expenses:
|
|
|
|
Moderator
|
$114
|
$118
|
|
Moderator Expenses
|
$60
|
$60
|
|
Memorial Day
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
|
Cemetery Maintenance
|
$1,100
|
$1,200
|
|
Property/Liability Insurance
|
$61,000
|
$61,000
|
|
Board/Committee Clerical Wages
|
$2,483
|
$2,557
|
|
Group Ins/Medi/SUI - Town Share
|
$163,240
|
$171,570
|
|
Personnel Committee Expenses
|
$100
|
$100
|
|
Planning Board Expenses
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
|
Finance Committee Expenses
|
$330
|
$330
|
|
School Committee Stipends
|
$900
|
$900
|
|
Reserve Fund
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
|
Conservation Commission Expenses
|
$100
|
$500
|
|
Historic Commission Expenses
|
$100
|
$100
|
|
Total Unclassified Expenses:
|
$233,527
|
$242,434
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$1,878,412
|
$1,915,930
|
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #5. To see if the Town will vote pursuant to the provisions of Section 53E1/2 of Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws, to authorize the establishment of revolving funds for certain town departments for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 with specific receipts credited to each fund, the purposes for which each fund may be spent and the maximum that may be spent from each fund for the fiscal year as follows:
|
Revolving Fund Title
|
Authorized to Spend Fund
|
Revenue Source
|
Use of Fund
|
FY25 Spending Limit
|
Disposition of FY24 Fund Balance
|
|
Plumbing Inspector
|
Plumbing Inspector
|
Plumbing Permit Fees and Applications
|
Reimburse Inspector for Inspection Services
|
$3,500.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2025
|
|
Electrical Inspector
|
Electrical Inspector
|
Electrical Permit Fees and Applications
|
Reimburse Inspector for Inspection Services
|
$3,500.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2025
|
|
Fire Inspector
|
Fire Department Inspectors
|
Fire Permit Fees and Applications
|
Reimburse Inspectors for Inspection Services
|
$3,500.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2025
|
|
Dog Fund
|
Town Clerk, Dog Officer,
and Select Board
|
Dog License Fees and Other Charges as Provided by Chapter 40, S 147A.
|
Offset Expenses Related to Administration of licenses and other Animal Control Matters
|
$15,000.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2025
|
|
Demolition Fund
|
Board of Health and Building Inspector
|
Receipts from demolition liens, municipal abatement liens and related insurance reimbursements including court orders.
|
For purposes associated with demolition, boarding and securing, and abating public health nuisances related to abandoned properties as determined by the Board of Health or Building Inspector.
|
$20,000.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2025
|
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #6. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Select Board to apply for, accept, and expend any state or federal grants that may become available, or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $310,042 and transfer from the Quintus Allen Fund the sum of $2,291 for a total sum of $312,333 to be used for the Franklin County Technical School District’s annual operating assessment or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $4,916 to be used for the Franklin County Technical School District’s annual capital assessment or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $2,425,001 to be used for the Mohawk Trail Regional School District’s annual operating assessment or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard did not arrive at a consensus recommendation regarding this article ( 1 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention).
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends not approving this article.
ARTICLE #10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $62,133 to be used for the Mohawk Trail Regional School District’s annual capital assessment or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #11. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate $8,628 for capital projects at Colrain Central School, such funds to be used to upgrade telephone infrastructure to support enhanced 911 emergency communications at such school, including costs incidental or related thereto. Said sum is to be expended under the approval of the School Committee’s Building Subcommittee or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #12. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate $3,637 for capital projects at Mohawk Trail Regional School, such funds to be used to upgrade telephone infrastructure to support enhanced 911 emergency communications at such school, including costs incidental or related thereto. Said sum is to be expended under the approval of the School Committee’s Building Subcommittee or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $10,043 for its share of the Statutory Charges and Core Service Assessment of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $2,850 for its share of the Cooperative Purchasing Program Service Assessment of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $150 for its share of the Emergency Planning Committee Service Assessment of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $12,408 for its share of the cost of the Franklin Regional Council of Government’s Cooperative Public Health Service or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $5,021 for its share of the cost to pay for a Regional Animal Control Officer or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $133,657 for its share of the cost to maintain the Franklin Regional Retirement System or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $6,792 to pay the town’s allocated share of the cost of the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,267 to pay the town’s allocated share of the cost of membership in the Upper Pioneer Valley Veteran’s Service District or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $350 to pay for its share of the Operating and Capital Costs of the Franklin County Regional Dog Control and Adoption Center or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide the sum of $783,732 to pay for the operation and maintenance of the Colrain Broadband Network (an enterprise fund) or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $2,000 to be used for the Police Administration account (any amount expended will be 100% reimbursed) or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $2,000 toward the cost of restoration and preservation of town records or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #25. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash the sum of $57,000 to pay for the purchase of a new Highway Department Snow Removal Equipment and Trailer or take any other action in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends not approving this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends not approving this article.
ARTICLE #26. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash the sum of $13,000 to pay for accrued compensated absences (vacation) due or take any other action relative thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #27. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash the sum of $15,000 to pay for renovations to create a new office space at the Town Office or take any other action relative thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #28. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash the sum of $25,749 to pay for the purchase of a new police cruiser or take any other action relative thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #29. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash the sum of $5,500 to pay for the purchase of a Town Clerk poll place scanner and tabulator or take any other action relative thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #30. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash the sum of $7,000 to pay for the cost of engaging a consultant to assist with the development of an Employee Performance Evaluation Tool or take any other action relative thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #31. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Police Department Stabilization Fund the sum of $54,251 to pay for the purchase of a new police cruiser (the total cost of the cruiser being $80,000 of which the balance to purchase of $ 25,749 is raised in Article # 28) or take any other action relative thereto.
2/3 vote required.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #32. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Technology Stabilization Fund the sum of $24,000 to pay for the following I/T related items; firewall upgrades, new server room door and locking mechanism, desktop, and laptop computer stations to support Windows 11 upgrade or take any other action relative thereto.
2/3 vote required.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #33
To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum or sums of money for the stabilization funds as shown in the chart below or take any other action relative thereto.
2/3 vote required.
|
Purpose
|
Fund
|
|
|
Amount
|
Source of Funds
|
|
General Purpose
|
General Stabilization
|
|
|
$2,860
|
Free Cash
|
|
Transfer Station
|
Transfer Station Stabilization
|
|
|
$10,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Technology
|
Technology Stabilization
|
|
|
$10,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Highway
|
Highway Stabilization
|
|
|
$150,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Fire
|
Fire Dept. Stabilization
|
|
|
$35,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Police
|
Police Dept. Stabilization
|
|
|
$15,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Library
|
Griswold Library Capital Stabilization
|
|
|
$50,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Total
|
Total
|
|
|
$272,860
|
|
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #34. To see if the Town will authorize the Select Board to accept and expend, as an available fund, any of the bond issue or operating budget monies (also called “Chapter” monies) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #35. To see if the Town will vote to amend the MOHAWK TRAIL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – REGIONAL DISTRICT AGREEMENT by striking the following language contained in Section IV Apportionment of Expenses among Member Towns, Subsections (A) through (J):
(A) Classification of Costs
For the purpose of apportioning assessments levied by the District upon the member towns, costs shall be divided into two categories: capital costs and operating costs.
(B) Capital Costs
Capital costs shall include all expenses in the nature of capital outlay such as the cost of acquiring land, the cost of constructing, reconstructing and adding to buildings, and the cost of remodeling or making extraordinary repairs to a school building or buildings, including without limitations the cost of the original equipment and furnishings for such buildings or additions, plans, architects’ and consultants’ fees, grading and other costs incidental to placing school buildings and additions and related premises in operating condition. Capital costs shall also include payments of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the District to finance capital costs. Instructional capital expenditures which qualify under net school spending are not included under capital costs, and instead are included as an operating cost.
(C) Operating Costs
Operating costs shall include all costs not included in capital costs as defined in subsection IV(B) but including interest on temporary notes issued by the District in anticipation of revenue.
(D) Responsibility for Capital and Operating Costs
(1) Grades 7-12
Operating and capital costs, as defined above, associated with grades seven to twelve (7-12) inclusive of the District school or schools shall be deemed District costs and the member towns shall be assessed their respective net shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
(2) Grades pre-K-6
- Costs associated with the operation of grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District schools shall be deemed operating costs of the District and the member towns shall be assessed their respective net shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
- All capital costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District schools shall be deemed capital costs of the District and the member towns shall be assessed their respective net shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of section IV(E) of this Agreement.
- If any member town or towns should construct an elementary school, the respective member town or towns will assume responsibility for all capital costs.
(E) Apportionment of Capital Costs Grades pre-K-6
(1) Ashfield, Plainfield
Capital costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving pupils from the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield shall be apportioned to the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield as follows:
To Ashfield: A portion of the whole expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the population of the Town of Ashfield bears to the total of the population of the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, and by (2), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at said school(s), resident in the Town of Ashfield, as determined by the census of pupils at said school(s) each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of the enrollment of pupils at the Ashfield Plainfield district school(s), resident in the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, as determined by the census of pupils at said school(s) each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016); and by summing both ratios ((1) + (2)), and dividing such sum by two.
To Plainfield: A portion of the whole expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the population of the Town of Plainfield bears to the total of the population of the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, and by (2), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Ashfield Plainfield district school(s), resident in the Town of Plainfield, as determined by the census of pupils at said school(s) each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollment of pupils at the Ashfield and Plainfield district school(s), resident in the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, as determined by the census of pupils at said school(s) each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016); and by summing both ratios ((1)+(2)), and dividing such sum by two.
(2) Buckland, Shelburne
Capital costs incurred by the committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving the pupils from the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne shall be apportioned to the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne as follows:
To Buckland: A portion of the total of all principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee consistent with the above, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: By (1), computing ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School, resident in the Town of Buckland, as determined by the census of pupils at said district school each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollments of pupils at the said district school, resident in the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne, as determined by the census of pupils each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016); and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage.
To Shelburne: A portion of the total of all principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee consistent with the above, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School, resident in the Town of Shelburne, as determined by the census of pupils at said district school each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollments of pupils at said district school, resident in the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne, as determined by the census of pupils each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016); and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage.
(3) Colrain, Heath
Effective commencing with Fiscal Year 2023, new capital costs incurred by the committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving the pupils from the Towns of Colrain and Heath shall be apportioned to the Towns of Colrain and Heath as follows:
To Colrain: A portion of the total of all principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee consistent with the above, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Colrain Center School, resident in the Town of Colrain as determined by the census of pupils at said district school each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollments of pupils at said district school, resident in the Towns of Heath and Colrain, as determined by the census of pupils each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation); and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage. Until five years of data becomes available, the most recent years of data shall be used to determine said ratio.
To Heath: A portion of the total of all principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee on or after July 1, 2022 consistent with the above, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Colrain Center School, resident in the Town of Heath as determined by the census of pupils at said district school each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollments of pupils at said district school, resident in the Towns of Heath and Colrain, as determined by the census of pupils each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation); (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage. Until five years of data becomes available, the most recent years of data shall be used to determine said ratio.
(4) The Heath Elementary School Building was returned to the Town of Heath on July 1, 2017, and the Lease between the parties terminated as of said date. In exchange for termination of the lease, the District paid to the Town of Heath a total sum of $240,000.00. Any outstanding debt payments associated with the Heath Elementary School shall remain the responsibility of the Town of Heath, and the Town of Heath shall continue to be assessed for said debt in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(5) Capital costs representing payments of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee to finance expenses in the nature of capital outlay for the purpose of construction at the site of, or reconstruction to, the Colrain Central School or upon any premises as may be leased to the Mohawk Trail Regional School District by the Town of Colrain, shall be borne by the Towns of Colrain and Heath, as provided in Section E. (3), above.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the member towns from amending this Agreement and modifying and/or altering the above designated schedules of apportionment of capital costs in the event subsequent school construction or reconstruction results in a change of grade level or town assignments to the District schools.
(F) Apportionment of Capital Costs Grades 7-12
Capital costs represented by debt service shall be apportioned as a capital cost of the year in which the debt service falls due.
Capital costs incurred July 1, 1993 and thereafter shall be apportioned to the member towns annually for the ensuing fiscal year as follow:
(1) Each member town’s share of capital costs associated with the District High School for each capital project shall be apportioned to the member towns on the basis of their respective pupil enrollments at said school. Each member town’s share shall be determined by computing the ratio which that town’s average pupil enrollment at said school on October 1 of each of the five years next preceding the first year for which the apportionment is determined bears to the total average pupil enrollment from all member towns at said school for the same five year period. In the event that enrollment at the District High School has not been accomplished by October 1, capital costs shall be determined on the basis of enrollment in grades seven through twelve of pupils residing in each member town and receiving education at such town’s expense on October 1 of that year.
(2) Each member town’s percentage share to the nearest one tenth of one percent will remain in effect for the term of the debt for each capital project.
(G) Apportionment of Operating Costs
Operating costs for the first fiscal year next following the effective date of Chapter 371 of the Acts of 1993 (See attachment) and for every fiscal year thereafter shall be apportioned to the member towns on the basis of their respective pupil enrollments in the regional District schools. Each member town’s share for each fiscal year shall be determined by computing the ratio which that town’s average pupil enrollment in the District schools on October 1 of each of the five years next preceding the year for which the apportionment is to be determined bears to the total average pupil enrollment from all member towns in the regional District schools for the same five year period (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016), as more fully set forth in Subsection IV(H) below. In the event that enrollment in the regional District schools has not been accomplished by October 1 of any year, operating costs shall be apportioned on the basis of enrollment in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve of pupils residing in each member town and receiving education at such town’s expense on October 1 of that year.
(H) The apportionment of operating costs shall be determined in accordance with the following procedure:
First: The Committee shall determine the proportion of the annual budget representing costs associated with the provisions of services to grades seven through twelve and the proportion representing costs associated with all other services including services to grades pre-kindergarten through six.
Second: The Committee shall determine the average enrollment share of each member town in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. For this purpose, average enrollment share shall equal, for each member town, its five-year average proportionate share of total student enrollment in the district schools for grades seven through twelve, as of October 1 in each of the five years immediately preceding the year for which such allocation is to be made.
Third: The Committee shall apportion costs of grades seven through twelve, inclusive, to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont in direct proportion to each town’s five-year average share of student enrollment in grades seven through twelve, inclusive.
Fourth: The total budget, less the shares allocated to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont, shall be apportioned among the District’s six remaining member towns on the basis of each member town’s five-year average student enrollment share. For purposes of this calculation, average enrollment share, for each of the pre-K-12 Member Towns shall be based on its five year average proportionate share of total student enrollment in the district schools (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016).
(I) Times of Payment of Apportioned Costs
Each member town shall pay to the District in each fiscal year its proportionate share, certified as provided in subsection VI(B), of the capital and operating costs. Except as otherwise provided in subsection VI(A), the annual share of each member town shall be paid in such amounts and at such times that at least the following percentages of such annual share shall be paid on or before the dates indicated, respectively:
August 1 16.25%
October 1 36.25%
December 1 50.00%
February 1 67.50%
April 1 87.50%
May 1 100.00%
(J) Special Funds
The District School Committee shall not interfere with a town’s or Local Education Council’s use of trust funds or other special funds, including separate town meeting articles, intended for the enhancement of the educational opportunities for that town’s pupils at the pre-K-6 grades only. The operations budget shall not be reduced by the receipt of such funds.
****************************
(A) Classification of Costs
For the purpose of apportioning assessments to the member towns, costs shall be divided into two categories: capital costs and operating costs.
(B) Capital Costs
Capital Costs to be assessed to towns (hereafter “Capital Costs”) shall include all expenses in the nature of capital outlay such as the cost of:
(1).. acquiring land, constructing, reconstructing and adding to or remodeling buildings, including without limitations the cost of the original equipment and furnishings for such buildings or additions, plans, architects’ and consultants’ fees, grading and other costs incidental to placing school buildings and additions and related premises in operating condition;
(2).. remodeling, or making extraordinary repairs to, an existing school building or buildings;
(3).. purchasing buses and/or other necessary vehicles for District school use.
Capital Costs shall also include payments of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the District to finance Capital Costs. Capital Costs represented by debt service shall be apportioned as a Capital Cost of the year in which the debt service falls due. Each member town’s percentage share of debt service, calculated to the nearest one hundredth of one percent at the time such debt is issued, will remain in effect for the term of the debt for each capital project.
Capital expenditures which qualify under net school spending are not included under Capital Costs, and instead are included as an operating cost.
(C) Operating Costs
Operating costs shall include all costs not included in Capital Costs as defined in Section IV(B), above, but including transportation costs (as per Section VIII of this Agreement) and interest on temporary notes issued by the District in anticipation of revenue.
(D) Responsibility for Capital and Operating Costs
(1).. Grades 7-12
....... Operating costs and Capital Costs, as defined above, associated with grades seven to twelve (7-12), inclusive, of the District school or schools shall be deemed District costs and the member towns shall be assessed their respective shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of Sections IV (F) and (G) of this Agreement.
(2).. Grades pre-K-6
- Costs associated with the operation of grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District schools shall be deemed operating costs of the District and the member towns shall be assessed their respective shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section IV (G) of this Agreement.
- Capital Costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District schools shall be deemed Capital Costs of the District and shall be assessed to member towns based on their respective shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section IV (E) of this Agreement.
(E) Apportionment of Capital Costs Grades pre-K-6
(1) Capital Costs assessed to member towns prior to July 1, 2025 shall be assessed under Section IV (E) of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Regional Agreement adopted by member Towns May-June 2018 and approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on August 1, 2018, with amendments approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, October 25, 2022 (referred to hereafter as the “Prior Capital Assessment Grades pre-K to 6”). Capital Costs assessed to towns after July 1, 2025, shall be assessed to the member towns as described below in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section (E) (1), (referred to hereafter as “the New Capital Assessment Calculation – pre-K to 6”), subject to the Transition Period as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Section (E), below. Such assessments shall be made on the basis of each town’s proportionate share of District foundation enrollment for Grades pre-K to 6. District foundation enrollment, as defined in M.G.L. c. 70, Section 2, is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as of October 1 of each year.
(a) Ashfield, Plainfield
Capital Costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving pupils from the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield shall be apportioned to the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield as follows:
To Ashfield: A portion of the all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the population of the Town of Ashfield bears to the total of the population of the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, and by (2) computing the ratio which the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Ashfield for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield for the five most recent years; and (3) by summing both ratios ((1) + (2)) and dividing such sum by two.
To Plainfield: A portion of the all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the population of the Town of Plainfield bears to the total of the population of the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, and by (2) computing the ratio which the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Plainfield for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield for the five most recent years; and (3) by summing both ratios ((1) + (2)) and dividing such sum by two.
(b) Buckland, Shelburne
Capital Costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving the pupils from the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne shall be apportioned to the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne as follows:
To Buckland: A portion of the total of all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Buckland for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne for the five most recent years, and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage.
To Shelburne: A portion of the total of all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Shelburne for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne for the five most recent years, and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage.
(c) Colrain, Heath
Capital Costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving the pupils from the Towns of Colrain and Heath shall be apportioned to the Towns of Colrain and Heath as follows:
To Colrain: A portion of the total of all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the sum of District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Colrain for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Colrain and Heath for the five most recent years, and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage. Until five years of data for both towns becomes available, the most recent years of data shall be used to determine said ratio.
To Heath: A portion of the total of all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the sum of District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Heath for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Colrain and Heath for the five most recent years, and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage. Until five years of data for both towns becomes available, the most recent years of data shall be used to determine said ratio.
The Town of Colrain shall retain sole responsibility for all Capital Costs for which bonds were issued prior to November 2022.
(2) Nothing in this Paragraph (E) shall be construed to prevent the member towns from amending this Agreement in accordance with Section XI in order to modify and/or alter the above designated schedules of apportionment of Capital Costs in the event subsequent school construction or reconstruction results in a change of grade level or town assignments to the District schools.
(3) Transition Period
The transition to the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 shall take place over a period of five (5) years, beginning July 1, 2025 (for Fiscal Year 2026) and ending on June 30, 2030.
(a) For Fiscal Year 2026 (commencing July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026), determination of the most recent year’s enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E), and the four years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6.
(b) For Fiscal Year 2027 (commencing July 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2027), determination of the most recent two years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E), and the three years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6.
(c) For Fiscal Year 2028 (commencing July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2028), determination of the most recent three years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E), and the two years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6.
(d) For Fiscal Year 2029 (commencing July 1, 2028 and ending June 30, 2029), determination of the most recent four years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E), and the one year prior enrollment shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6.
(e) For Fiscal Year 2030 (commencing July 1, 2029) and all subsequent years, determination of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E).
(F) Apportionment of Capital Costs Grades 7-12
(1) Capital Costs assessed to member towns prior to July 1, 2025 shall be assessed under Section IV (F) of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Regional Agreement adopted by member Towns May-June 2018 and approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on August 1, 2018, with amendments approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, October 25, 2022 (referred to hereafter as “the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12”). Capital Costs assessed to towns after July 1, 2025, shall be assessed to the member towns as described below in paragraph (2) of this Section (F) (referred to hereafter as “the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12”), subject to the Transition Period as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Section (F), below. Such assessments shall be made on the basis of each town’s proportionate share of District foundation enrollment for Grades 7-12. District foundation enrollment, as defined in M.G.L. c. 70, Section 2, is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as of October 1 of each year.
(2) Each member town’s share of Capital Costs associated with the District Middle School/High School as well as District-Wide Capital Costs shall be apportioned to the member towns on the basis of said town’s share of the District’s foundation enrollment for Grades 7-12. Each member town’s share shall be determined by computing the ratio which Grade 7-12 students who reside in each town and are included in the District’s foundation enrollment for each of the most recent five years bears to the District’s total foundation enrollment for Grades 7-12 for the same five-year period, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent.
(3) Transition Period
The transition to the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 shall take place over a period of five (5) years, beginning July 1, 2025 (for Fiscal Year 2026) and ending on June 30, 2030.
(a) For Fiscal Year 2026 (commencing July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026), determination of the most recent year’s enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F), and the four years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12).
(b) For Fiscal Year 2027 (commencing July 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2027), determination of the most recent two years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F), and the three years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12).
(c) For Fiscal Year 2028 (commencing July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2028), determination of the most recent three years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F), and the two years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12).
(d) For Fiscal Year 2029 (commencing July 1, 2028 and ending June 30, 2029), determination of the most recent four years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F), and the one year prior enrollment shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12).
(e) For Fiscal Year 2030 (commencing July 1, 2029) and all subsequent years, determination of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F).
(G) Apportionment of Operating Costs
Each member town will contribute to the District no less than its minimum required local contribution as determined by the Commissioner pursuant to M.G.L. c. 70, Section 6. Any amounts in excess of the minimum required local contribution needed to support the District's budget will be assessed to the member towns in accordance with this Section IV (G.)
(1) Operating Costs assessed to member towns prior to July 1, 2025 will be assessed under Sections IV (G) and IV (H) of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Regional Agreement adopted by MTRSD Towns May-June 2018 and approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on August 1, 2018, with amendments approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, October 25, 2022 (referred to hereafter as “the Prior Operating Assessment Calculation”).
(2) Operating Costs assessed to member towns after July 1, 2025, shall be assessed as described in paragraphs (a) through (d), below, (referred to hereafter as “the New Operating Assessment Calculation”), subject to the Transition Period as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Section IV (G). Such assessments shall be made on the basis of each town’s proportionate share of District foundation enrollment. District foundation enrollment, as defined in M.G.L. c. 70, Section 2, is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as of October 1 of each year.
(a) First, the Committee shall determine the proportion of the annual budget representing costs associated with the provision of services to grades seven through twelve and the proportion representing costs associated with all Central Office and District-Wide services, including such services to grades pre-kindergarten through six.
(b) Second, the Committee shall determine the average District foundation enrollment share of each member town in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. For this purpose, each member town’s share shall be determined by computing the ratio which Grade 7-12 students who reside in each town and are included in the District’s foundation enrollment for each of the most recent five years bears to the District’s total foundation enrollment for Grades 7-12 for the same five-year period, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent.
(c) Third, the Committee shall apportion the costs of grades seven through twelve, inclusive, to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont in direct proportion to each town’s five-year average share of District foundation enrollment in grades seven through twelve, inclusive.
(d) Fourth, the total amount in excess of the aggregate minimum required local contributions, less the shares allocated to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont, shall be apportioned among the District’s six remaining member towns on the basis of each member town’s five-year average District foundation enrollment share. For purposes of this calculation, average District foundation enrollment share for each of the pre-K-12 Member Towns shall be based on its five-year average proportionate share of total District foundation enrollment.
(3) Transition Period
The transition to the New Operating Assessment Calculation shall take place over a period of five (5) years, beginning July 1, 2025 (for Fiscal Year 2026) and ending on June 30, 2030.
(a) For Fiscal Year 2026 (commencing July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026), determination of the most recent year’s enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G), and the four years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the “Prior Operating Assessment Calculation”).
(b) For Fiscal Year 2027 (commencing July 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2027), determination of the most recent two years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G), and the three years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Operating Assessment Calculation.
(c) For Fiscal Year 2028 (commencing July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2028), determination of the most recent three years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G), and the two years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Operating Assessment Calculation.
(d) For Fiscal Year 2029 (commencing July 1, 2028 and ending June 30, 2029), determination of the most recent four years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G), and the one year prior enrollment shall be calculated using the Prior Operating Assessment Calculation.
(e) For Fiscal Year 2030 (commencing July 1, 2029) and all subsequent years, determination of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G).
(H) Times of Payment of Apportioned Costs
Each member town shall pay to the District in each fiscal year its proportionate share, certified as provided in subsection VI(B), of the capital and operating costs. Except as otherwise provided in subsection VI(A), the annual share of each member town shall be paid in such amounts and at such times that at least the following percentages of such annual share shall be paid on or before the dates indicated, respectively:
August 1 16.25%
October 1 36.25%
December 1 50.00%
February 1 67.50%
April 1 87.50%
May 1 100.00%
(I) Special Funds
The District School Committee shall not interfere with a town’s or Local Education Council’s use of trust funds or other special funds, including separate town meeting articles, intended for the enhancement of the educational opportunities for that town’s pupils at the pre-K-6 grades only. The operations budget shall not be reduced by the receipt of such funds.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends disapproval of this article.
ARTICLE #36.
To see if the Town will vote to amend the MOHAWK TRAIL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – REGIONAL DISTRICT AGREEMENT by striking the following language contained in Section VI – Budget:
(A) Tentative Maintenance and Operating Budget
On or before February 8th, the Committee shall annually prepare a tentative maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year, including therein provision for any installment of principal or interest to become due in such year on any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness of the District and any other capital costs to be apportioned to the member towns in such year. The said budget shall be in reasonable detail, including the amounts payable under the following classifications of expenses and such other classifications as may be necessary:
1. Administration
2. Instruction
3. Other School Services
4. Operation and Maintenance of Plant
5. Fixed Charges
6. Community Services
7. Acquisition of Fixed Assets
8. Debt Retirement and Debt Service
9. Programs with Other Districts and Private Schools
10. Transportation
Copies of such tentative budget shall be mailed to the chairperson of the board of selectmen and finance committee of such town.
(B) Final Maintenance and Operating Budget
The Committee shall on or before March 1 in each year adopt an annual maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year, said budget to include debt and interest charges and any other current capital costs as separate items, and shall apportion the amounts necessary to be raised in order to meet the said budget in accordance with the provisions of subsections IV(E) and IV(F) and with the provisions of sub-section IV(G), provided however, that the Committee shall adopt said annual maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year not later than forty-five days prior to the earliest date on which the business session of the annual town meeting of any member town is to be held, but not later than March 1, and further provided that said annual maintenance and operating budget need not be adopted prior to January 18. The amounts so apportioned for each member town shall, within twenty days from the date on which the annual budget is adopted by the regional school district committee, and not later than March 10, be certified by the District treasurer to the treasurers of the member towns.
(C) High School Operating and Maintenance Budget for the purpose of Determining Tuition
For the purposes of determining tuition, the High School Operating and Maintenance Budget is defined as that portion of the budget relating to expenditures for high school level pupils in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. Budget lines for shared high school and elementary school costs, including but not limited to Administration and Transportation, shall be apportioned by computing the ratio which the grades 7-12 average pupil enrollment in the regional district on October 1 of each of the five years next preceding the year for which the apportionment is determined bears to the total average pupil enrollment from all member towns in the Regional School District for the same five year period (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016). The High School Operating and Maintenance Budget shall not include any cost for capital debt retirement or debt service.
(D) Vote on the Annual Budget
For purposes of voting on the annual budget by the member towns, the approval of the District’s annual budget by the town meetings of each pre-K-12 Member Town shall constitute two “units” towards approval or disapproval of the annual District budget, while Hawley and Charlemont shall have one “unit” each, with a total of ten units needed to approve the annual budget.
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(A) Tentative Maintenance and Operating Budget
On or before February 15th, the Committee shall annually prepare a tentative maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year, including therein provision for any installment of principal or interest to become due in such year on any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness of the District and any other capital costs to be apportioned to the member towns in such year. The said budget shall be in reasonable detail, including the amounts payable under the following classifications of expenses and such other classifications as may be necessary:
1. Administration
2. Instruction
3. Other School Services
4. Operation and Maintenance of Plant
5. Fixed Charges
6. Community Services
7. Acquisition of Fixed Assets
8. Debt Retirement and Debt Service
9. Programs with Other Districts and Private Schools
10. Transportation
Copies of such tentative budget shall be delivered via mail or email to the chairperson of the board of selectmen and finance committee of each member town.
(B) Final Maintenance and Operating Budget
The Committee shall on or before March 1 in each year adopt by a two-thirds vote of the full Committee an annual maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year, said budget to include debt and interest charges and any other current capital costs as separate items, and shall apportion the amounts necessary to be raised in order to meet the said budget in accordance with the provisions of subsections IV(E) and IV(F) and with the provisions of sub-section IV(G), provided however, that the Committee shall adopt said annual maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year not later than forty-five days prior to the earliest date on which the business session of the annual town meeting of any member town is to be held, but not later than March 1, and further provided that said annual maintenance and operating budget need not be adopted prior to January 18. The amounts so apportioned for each member town shall, within thirty days from the date on which the annual budget is adopted by the regional school district committee, and not later than March 31, be certified by the District treasurer to the treasurers of the member towns.
(C) High School Operating and Maintenance Budget for the purpose of Determining Tuition
For the purposes of determining tuition, the High School Operating and Maintenance Budget is defined as that portion of the budget relating to expenditures for high school level pupils in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. Budget lines for shared high school and elementary school costs, including but not limited to Administration and Transportation, shall be apportioned by computing the ratio which Grade 7-12 students who reside in member towns and are included in the District’s foundation enrollment for each of the most recent five years bears to the District’s total foundation enrollment for Grades Pre-K to 12 for the same five-year period, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent. The High School Operating and Maintenance Budget shall not include any cost for capital debt retirement or debt service.
(D) Vote on the Annual Budget
Consistent with Chapter 31 of the Acts of 2017, for purposes of voting on the annual budget by the member towns, the approval of the District’s annual budget by the town meetings of each pre-K-12 Member Town shall constitute two “units” towards approval or disapproval of the annual District budget, while Hawley and Charlemont shall have one “unit” each, with a total of ten units needed to approve the annual budget.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends disapproval of this article.
ARTICLE #37. To see if the Town will vote to amend the MOHAWK TRAIL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – REGIONAL DISTRICT AGREEMENT by striking the following language contained in Section XV Effective Date:
This amended Agreement shall take full effect in accordance with its terms on July 1, 2018 and shall supersede the prior District Agreement, including any prior amendments.
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This amended Agreement shall take full effect in accordance with its terms, following approval by all member towns and by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, on July 1, 2024, and shall supersede the prior District Agreement, including any prior amendments. Nothing in this amended Agreement shall affect the apportionment of assessments to member towns prior to Fiscal Year 2026.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends disapproval of this article.
ARTICLE #38. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of G.L. c.44, Sec. 54(b) to allow Town trust funds to be invested in accordance with G.L. c.203, the so-called “Prudent Investment Rule”, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #39. To see if the Town will vote to participate in the activities of the Mohawk Trail Partnership (also known as the “Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts” per the Board’s October 2022 vote to recommend a name change*) as provided for in Section 91 of Chapter 209 of the Acts of 2018, an act Promoting Climate Change Adaption, Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, and Investment in Recreation Assets and Opportunity (the “Environmental Bond Bill”) or take any other action related thereto.
*The Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership (MTWP) voted at its 11 October 2022 Board Meeting to change its operational name to the “Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts,” and to request State Legislators, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and the USDA Forest Service to take necessary actions to make the new name the official, legal name of the Woodlands Partnership. Until state law is amended to recognize the Board’s recommended new name, the official name remains Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership for purposes of municipal action to join the Partnership and gain a voting seat on the Board.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #40. To see if the Town will accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure with an outstanding principal balance of $ 3,936.29 regarding property on Heath Road described in a deed recorded in Book 863, Page 30 and as Parcel 4030-0044-00000. Said parcel was Taken by the Town for unpaid FY 2003 taxes in the amount of $545.79, and the assessed value of the subject property is $6,500.
The Selectboard unanimously recommends approval of this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE #41. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning Bylaw to update the Section 4: Use Regulations - Use Table and add a new Section 17, as follows:
Short-Term Rentals (STRs) as defined in this section are allowed for residential properties in conformance with the following regulations. These regulations aim to balance private, neighborhood, and public interests by establishing middle-ground intensity limits that will:
-
-
- Protect and maintain the residential character of existing neighborhoods.
- Preserve housing options by deterring commercial interests from buying housing to use primarily as short-term rental businesses.
- Enable residents to earn extra money from their properties to better afford to live here, maintain their properties, and contribute to the community.
This section applies to any property owner who rents out one or more rooms on a single property, including rooms in a single-family home or an entire dwelling and/or outbuildings:
-
-
- For a total of more than 14 days in a calendar year;
- With any one rental period being no more than 31 days, and;
- Where meals are not included in the rent.
-
-
- The owner of the property to be used for STR must obtain a signed permit (“STRP”) from the Planning Board. There shall be a fee of $100 to obtain an initial calendar-year permit for the purpose of notifying abutters. Extra funds, if any, will be returned after costs are determined. Subsequent annual permits will be at no cost.
- An owner of more than one property in Colrain may use only one property at a time as a short-term rental. For purposes of this Bylaw, a person having a beneficial interest in a property shall be considered an “owner”.
Proposed Section 4: Use Regulations - Use Table Modifications/Additions
|
Use
|
Village Districts
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Rural District
|
Commercial-Industrial Districts
|
|
Hotels
|
SPR
|
N
|
SPR
|
|
Motels
|
SP
|
N
|
N
|
|
Inns
|
SPR
|
SP
|
SP
|
|
BnB Establishment (4 or more rooms)5
|
SPR/SPP (DOR Reg. req’d)
|
SPR/SPP (DOR Reg. req’d)
|
SPR/SPP (DOR Reg. req’d)
|
|
BnB Home (3 or fewer rooms)6
|
SPR/SPP
|
SPP
|
SPP
|
|
STR (< 14 days/yr)7
|
Y
|
Y
|
Y
|
|
STR (>= 14 days/yr,)8
|
STRP (DOR Reg. req’d)
|
STRP (DOR Reg. req’d)
|
STRP (DOR Reg. req’d)
|
4.2.5 See Section 4.2.2
4.2.6 See Section 4.2.2
4.2.7 No meals are provided.
4.2.8 No meals are provided. Short Term Rental Permit Required.
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #42. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning Bylaw to update Section 3.4 and 8.6 and add a new Section 18, as follows:
The purposes of the Floodplain Overlay District are to:
18.1.1 Ensure public safety through reducing flood threats to life and personal injury;
18.1.2 Eliminate new hazards to emergency response officials;
18.1.3 Prevent the contamination and pollution of water resources resulting from flooding, so as to protect public safety and avoid damage to wildlife habitat;
18.1.4 Avoid the loss of utility services which if damaged by flooding would disrupt or shut down the utility network and impact regions of the community beyond the site of flooding;
18.1.5 Eliminate costs associated with the response and cleanup of flooding conditions; and
18.1.6 Reduce damage to public and private property resulting from flood waters.
The Floodplain Overlay District is herein established as an overlay district. The District includes all special flood hazard areas designated on the Town of Colrain’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the administration of the National Flood Insurance Program, dated July 2, 1980 and on the Flood Boundary & Floodway Map (FBFM) dated July 2, 1980. These maps indicate the 1%-chance regulatory floodplain. The exact boundaries of the District shall be defined by the 1%-chance base flood elevations shown on the FIRM and further defined by the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report dated January 1980 prepared by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Federal Insurance Administration and any amendments thereto. The effective FIRM, FBFM, and FIS report are incorporated herein by reference and are on file with the Town Clerk and Building Inspector. (https://msc.fema.gov/portal/advanceSearch)
The floodplain management regulations found in this Floodplain Overlay District section shall take precedence over any less restrictive conflicting local laws, bylaws or codes. The degree of flood protection required by this bylaw is considered reasonable by the Town but does not imply total flood protection.
If any section, provision or portion of this bylaw is deemed to be unconstitutional or invalid by a court, the remainder of the bylaw shall be effective.
The Town of Colrain hereby designates the position of Building Inspector to be the official Floodplain Administrator for the Town. The duties of the Floodplain Administrator include:
18.4.1 Applying the regulations for development in the Floodplain Overlay District;
18.4.2 Ensuring that permits are applied for when development of any kind is proposed in the Floodplain Overlay District;
18.4.3 Oversight of the application and review process for development in the Floodplain Overlay District;
18.4.4 Coordination with other local departments and municipal officials including the Building Inspector, Highway Department, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission;
18.4.5 Notifying adjacent communities prior to any alteration of a watercourse;
18.4.6 Coordinating compliance issues and enforcement actions with the Building Inspector such as activities to correct violations of the zoning bylaw, and working with the appropriate local staff to coordinate such efforts;
18.4.7 Maintaining records of floodplain development, and keeping current and historic FEMA maps available for public inspection; and
18.4.8 Notifying FEMA if the Town acquires data that changes the base flood elevation in the FEMA mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas, within 6 months of such changes by submitting the technical or scientific data that supports the changes to:
FEMA Region I Risk Analysis Branch Chief 99
High St., 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02110
and copy of notification to:
Massachusetts NFIP State Coordinator
MA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation,
251 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02114
18.5 State Variances to Building Code Floodplain Standards
The Colrain Floodplain Administrator will request from the State Building Code Appeals Board a written and/or audible copy of the portion of any hearing related to a State Building Code variance granted for a property in the Town of Colrain, and will maintain this record in the Town’s files.
The Floodplain Administrator shall also issue a letter to the property owner regarding potential impacts to the annual premiums for the flood insurance policy covering that property, in writing over the signature of a Town official that
-
-
- the issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurance up to amounts as high as $25 for each $100 of insurance coverage and
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-
- such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property.
Such notification shall be maintained with the record of all variance actions for the referenced development in the Floodplain Overlay District.
An application for a variance from the requirements of the Floodplain Overlay District, requested from the Zoning Board of Appeals, must meet all the requirements set out by State law and the Zoning Bylaw (see Section 11.2). In addition to those requirements, a variance may only be granted if:
18.6.1 good and sufficient cause and exceptional non-financial hardship exist;
18.6.2 the variance will not result in additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, or fraud or victimization of the public; and
-
-
- the variance is the minimum action necessary to afford relief.
The Town of Colrain, in addition to any Building Permit or other local, state or federal permits needed, requires a review and approval by the Conservation Commission for all proposed construction or other development in the Floodplain Overlay District. This includes new construction or changes to existing buildings, placement of manufactured homes, placement of agricultural facilities (with such review to be consistent with and to the extent permitted by G.L. c. 40A, §3), fences, sheds, storage facilities or drilling, mining, paving and any other development that might increase flooding or adversely impact flood risks to other properties. The application for review by the Conservation Commission is available from the Conservation Commission or Floodplain Administrator.
The proponent must submit documentation that all necessary local, state and federal permits have been received in order to receive approval for the proposed development in the Floodplain Overlay District. Documentation must be submitted to the Town’s Floodplain Administrator for their review and approval.
All subdivision proposals and development proposals subject to Site Plan Review or requiring a Special Permit for property in the Floodplain Overlay District shall be reviewed by the Planning Board and/or Zoning Board of Appeals to assure that:
18.9.1 Such proposals minimize flood damage potential and, to the maximum extent feasible, locate all structures, roads, utilities and other infrastructure out of the Floodplain Overlay District;
18.9.2 Public utilities and facilities are located and constructed so as to minimize flood damage potential; and
18.9.3 Adequate drainage is provided.
Where such development is subject to a Special Permit or Development Site Plan Review under Sections 12 and 13 and any other sections of the Colrain Zoning Bylaws, the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals shall incorporate these standards into their review. Where such development is subject to the Subdivision Regulations of the Town of Colrain, the Planning Board shall incorporate these standards into their Subdivision Plan review.
When proposing a subdivision or other development greater than 50 lots or 5 acres (whichever is less), the proponent must provide technical data to establish base flood elevations for each developable parcel shown on the design plans.
In A Zones, in the absence of FEMA base flood elevation data and floodway data, the Building Inspector will obtain, review and reasonably utilize base flood elevation and floodway data available from a Federal, State, or other source as criteria for requiring
new construction, substantial improvements, or other development in Zone A to comply with one or more of the following: elevating residential structures to or above base flood level; flood proofing or elevating nonresidential structures to or above base flood level; and prohibiting encroachments in floodways.
In Zones A, A1-30, and AE, along watercourses that have not had a regulatory floodway designated, the best available Federal, State, local, or other floodway data shall be used to prohibit encroachments in floodways which would result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
In Zones A1-30 and AE, along watercourses that have a regulatory floodway designated on the Town of Colrain’s FIRM Maps, encroachments in the regulatory floodway which would result in any increase in flood levels within the community during the occurrence of the base flood discharge are prohibited.
In a riverine situation, the Floodplain Administrator shall notify the following of any alteration or relocation of a watercourse:
18.13.1 Adjacent Communities, especially upstream and downstream
18.13.2 Bordering States, if affected
18.13.3 NFIP State Coordinator
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
251 Causeway Street, 8th floor
Boston, MA 02114
18.13.4 NFIP Program Specialist
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region I
99 High Street, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Within Zones AO and AH on the FIRM, adequate drainage paths must be provided around structures on slopes, to guide floodwaters around and away from proposed structures.
In A1-30, AH, AE Zones, all recreational vehicles to be placed on a site must be elevated and anchored in accordance with the zone’s regulations for foundation and elevation requirements or be on the site for less than 180 consecutive days or be fully licensed and highway ready.
The Floodplain Administrator and/or Zoning Enforcement Officer will be responsible for issuing a notice of non-compliance to the property owner for any non-compliant floodplain development in the Floodplain Overlay District. Such notice will identify the non-compliant development and will contain instructions regarding the actions that the property owner must take in order to come into compliance. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, removal of the structures or paving that might increase flooding or adversely impact flood risks to other properties. Any person violating the Floodplain Overlay District Bylaw shall be subject to a penalty of $300.00 for each offense. Each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
DEVELOPMENT means any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to building or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
FLOOD BOUNDARY AND FLOODWAY MAP means an official map of a community issued by FEMA that depicts, based on detailed analyses, the boundaries of the 100-year and 500-year floods and the 100-year floodway. (For maps prepared in 1987 and later, the floodway designation is included on the FIRM.)
FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP (FHBM) is the official map of a community issued by the Federal Insurance Administrator, where the boundaries of the flood and related erosion areas having special hazards have been designated as Zone A or E. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
FLOODWAY means the channel of the river, creek or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated height. [Base Code – 2015 International Building Code, Chapter 2, Section 202]
FUNCTIONALLY DEPENDENT USE means a use which cannot perform its intended purpose unless it is located or carried out in close proximity to water. The term includes only docking facilities, port facilities that are necessary for the loading and unloading of cargo or passengers, and ship building and ship repair facilities, but does not include long-term storage or related manufacturing facilities. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59] Also [Referenced Standard ASCE 24-14]
HIGHEST ADJACENT GRADE means the highest natural elevation of the ground surface prior to construction next to the proposed walls of a structure. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
HISTORIC STRUCTURE means any structure that is:
18.17.1 Listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places (a listing maintained by the Department of Interior) or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as meeting the requirements for individual listing on the National Register;
18.17.2 Certified or preliminarily determined by the Secretary of the Interior as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district or a district preliminarily determined by the Secretary to qualify as a registered historic district;
18.17.3 Individually listed on a state inventory of historic places in states with historic preservation programs which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior;
or
18.17.4 Individually listed on a local inventory of historic places in communities with historic preservation programs that have been certified either:
18.17.4.1 By an approved state program as determined by the Secretary of the Interior or
18.17.4.2 Directly by the Secretary of the Interior in states without approved programs. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
NEW CONSTRUCTION. Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of these provisions of the Colrain Floodplain Overlay District bylaw June 4, 2024. In addition, any subsequent substantial improvements to structures existing on or after June 4, 2024 will also be subject to the provisions of this bylaw. [New construction includes work determined to be substantial improvement. Referenced Standard ASCE 24-14]
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE means a vehicle which is:
18.17.5 Built on a single chassis;
18.17.6 Four hundred (400) square feet or less when measured at the largest horizontal projection;
18.17.7 Designed to be self-propelled or permanently towable by a light duty truck; and,
18.17.8 Designed primarily for use as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use but not for use as a permanent dwelling.
[US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44 Part 59]
REGULATORY FLOODWAY - see FLOODWAY
SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA. The land area subject to flood hazards and shown on a Flood Insurance Rate Map or other flood hazard map as Zone A, AE, A1-30, A99, AR, AO, AH, V, VO, VE or V1-30. [Base Code – 2015 International Building Code, Chapter 2, Section 202]
START OF CONSTRUCTION. The date of issuance of a building permit for new construction and substantial improvements to existing structures, provided the actual start of construction, repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, placement or other improvement is within 180 days after the date of issuance. The actual start of construction means the date of the first placement of permanent construction of a building (including a manufactured home) on a site, such as the pouring of a slab or footings, installation of pilings or construction of columns.
For the purposes of establishing the Start of Construction, permanent construction does not include land preparation (such as clearing, excavation, grading or filling), the installation of streets or walkways, excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations, the erection of temporary forms or the installation of accessory buildings such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not part of the main building. For a substantial improvement, the actual “start of construction” means the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of a building, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the building. [Base Code – 2015 International Building Code, Chapter 2, Section 202]
STRUCTURE means, for floodplain management purposes, a walled and roofed building, including a gas or liquid storage tank, that is principally above ground, as well as a manufactured home. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
SUBSTANTIAL REPAIR OF A FOUNDATION. When work to repair or replace a foundation results in the repair or replacement of a portion of the foundation with a perimeter along the base of the foundation that equals or exceeds 50% of the perimeter of the base of the foundation measured in linear feet, or repair or replacement of 50% of the piles, columns or piers of a pile, column or pier supported foundation, the building official shall determine it to be substantial repair of a foundation. Applications determined by the building official to constitute substantial repair of a foundation shall require all existing portions of the entire building or structure to meet the
requirements of 780 CMR. [As amended by 9th Edition of the State Building Code]
VARIANCE means a grant of relief by a community from the terms of a flood plain management regulation. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
VIOLATION means the failure of a structure or other development to be fully compliant with the community's floodplain management regulations. A structure or other development without the elevation certificate, other certifications, or other evidence of compliance required in U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 60, §60.3(b)(5), (c)(4), (c)(10), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(4), or (e)(5) is presumed to be in violation until such time as that documentation is provided. [US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 59]
The Town shall use the pertinent definitions for flood zones delineated within the Town. All of these terms are defined in the US Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 64.3.
ZONE A means an area of special flood hazard without water surface elevations determined.
ZONE A1-30 and ZONE AE means area of special flood hazard with water surface elevations determined.
ZONE AH means areas of special flood hazards having shallow water depths and/or unpredictable flow paths between (1) and (3) feet, and with water surface elevations determined.
ZONE AO means area of special flood hazards having shallow water depths and/or unpredictable flow paths between (1) and (3) ft. (Velocity flow may be evident; such flooding is characterized by ponding or sheet flow.)
ZONE A99 means area of special flood hazard where enough progress has been made on a protective system, such as dikes, dams, and levees, to consider it complete for insurance rating purposes. (Flood elevations may not be determined.)
ZONES B, C, and X means areas of minimal or moderate flood hazards or areas of future-conditions flood hazard. (Zone X replaces Zones B and C on new and revised maps.)
The Floodplain Administrator may adopt regulations and standard forms for the purpose of administering and implementing this bylaw.
And amend Section 3.4 to read:
3.4-Flood Plain Overlay District: The Flood Plain Overlay District is herein established as an overlay district. The underlying permitted uses are allowed provided that they meet the requirements of Section 18 of this Bylaw as well as those of the Massachusetts State Building Code dealing with construction in flood plains. The Flood Plain District includes all special flood hazard areas designated as Zone A, A1-30 on the Colrain Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps, dated July 2, 1980, on file with the Town Clerk, Planning Board and Building Commissioner. These maps as well as the accompanying Colrain Flood Insurance Study are incorporated herein by reference.
And amend Section 8.6 to read:
8.6 Additional requirements apply in the Flood Plain Overlay District (See Section 18)
And remove 8.6.1 – 8.6.2.2.
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #43. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning Bylaw to update Section 15 to reflect changes to the Massachusetts Model Zoning Bylaw for the Regulation of Solar Energy Systems as well as affected items in sections 2, 4, and 13.
Section 2 Definitions – Current State
Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic System—A Solar-Photovoltaic System which has a footprint greater than 0.10 acres.
Section 2 Definitions – Proposed State
Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic System—A Solar-Photovoltaic System that is structurally mounted on the ground and is not roof-mounted and occupies more than 40,000 square feet of surface area (equivalent to a rated nameplate capacity of about 250kW or greater).
And add:
Medium-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic System— A Solar-Photovoltaic System that occupies more than 1,750 but less than 40,000 square feet of surface area (equivalent to a nameplate capacity of about 10 – 250kW)
Small-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic System— A Solar-Photovoltaic System that occupies 1,750 square feet of surface area or less (equivalent to a nameplate capacity of about 10kW or less).
Section 4: Use Regulations- Current State
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Use
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Village Districts
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Rural District
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Commercial-Industrial Districts
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|
Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System with a footprint greater than 0.10 acres up to 1.0 acres3,4 (See Section 15)
|
SPR
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SPR
|
SPR
|
|
Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System with a footprint greater than 1.0 acres3,4 (See Section 15)
|
N
|
SP/SPR
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SP/SPR
|
4.2.3-Small-scale ground-mounted solar-photovoltaic systems (occupying a footprint
less than or equal to 0.10 acres and building-mounted solar-photovoltaic systems do not
need to comply with Section 15 but shall require a building permit and must comply
with all other applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
Section 4: Use Regulations- Proposed State
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Use
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Village Districts
|
Rural District
|
Commercial-Industrial Districts
|
|
Small-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System - 1750 sqft. or less
(See Section 15)
|
Y
|
Y
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Y
|
|
Medium-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System – Greater than 1750 sqft. but less than 40,000 sqft.
(See Section 15)
|
SPR
|
SPR
|
SPR
|
|
Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic System - 40,000 sqft. Or greater.
(See Section 15)
|
N
|
SP/SPR
|
SP/SPR
|
4.2.3-Small-scale ground-mounted solar-photovoltaic systems (occupying a footprint
less than or equal to 0.10 acres and building-mounted solar-photovoltaic systems do not
need to comply with Section 15 but shall require a building permit and must comply
with all other applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
Section 13: Development Site Plan Review – Current State
13.3.6-Construction, operation, and/or repair of Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems occupying a footprint greater than 0.10 acres.
Section 13: Development Site Plan Review – Proposed State
13.3.6-Construction, operation, and/or repair of Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems and Medium-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems.
The purpose of this bylaw is to regulate the creation of Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems by providing standards for the placement, design, construction, operation, monitoring, modification and removal of such Solar-Photovoltaic Systems that address public safety; minimize impacts on scenic, natural, and historic resources; and provide adequate financial assurance for the eventual decommissioning of such Solar-Photovoltaic Systems.
15.1.1-Applicability. This section applies to Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems proposed to be constructed after the effective date of this section. This section also pertains to physical modifications that materially alter the type, configuration, or size of Solar-Photovoltaic Systems and/or related equipment.
15.1.1.1-The provisions set forth in this section shall apply to the construction, operation, and/or repair of Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems.
15.1.1.2-Smaller scale ground-mounted solar-photovoltaic systems (occupying a footprint less than or equal to 0.1 acres) and building-mounted solar-photovoltaic systems do not need to comply with this section but shall require a building permit and must comply with all other applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
The purpose of this bylaw is to regulate the creation of Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems by providing standards for the placement, design, construction, operation, monitoring, modification and removal of such Solar-Photovoltaic Systems that address public safety, utility interconnection, and provide adequate financial assurance for the eventual decommissioning of such Solar-Photovoltaic Systems.
15.1.1-Applicability. This section applies to Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems proposed to be constructed after the effective date of this section. This section also pertains to physical modifications that materially alter the type, configuration, or size of Solar-Photovoltaic Systems and/or related equipment.
15.1.1.1-The provisions set forth in this section shall apply to the construction, operation, and/or repair of Large and Medium Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems.
15.1.1.2-Small scale ground-mounted solar-photovoltaic systems and building-mounted solar-photovoltaic systems do not need to comply with this section but shall require a building permit and must comply with all other applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
All Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems with a footprint greater than 0.1 acres shall undergo Site Plan Review by the Planning Board pursuant to Section 13, Development Site Plan Review, prior to construction, installation or modification, and shall also comply with the additional provisions of this section.
15.3.1.4-Locations of any Priority Habitat Areas defined by the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) on or near the project site;
15.3.1.5-Locations of floodplains and inundation areas for moderate or high-hazard dams that would impact the project site;
15.3.1.6-Locations of local or National Historic Districts. The owner shall obtain written local or national historical or archeological district verification from the Town Clerk as to whether or not the project is sited within such a district, then at the time of site plan submission to the Town Clerk, the owner must also complete a Project Notification Form (obtain from: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/) accompanied by standard documents, e.g., USGS locus map, scaled project plans showing existing and proposed conditions, and current photographs keyed to the plan);
15.3.2.1-Setbacks: All Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems shall have front, side, and rear yard setbacks of at least 50 feet. Acreage thresholds apply in the aggregate to new facilities and expansion of existing facilities. For expansions, the acreage of the existing facility would be added to those of the proposed expansion to determine the overall size and generating capacity. Required setback areas shall not be counted toward a facility’s total acreage.
All Large-Scale and Medium-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems shall undergo Site Plan Review by the Planning Board pursuant to Section 13, Development Site Plan Review, prior to construction, installation or modification, and shall also comply with the additional provisions of this section.
15.3.1.4 Locations of active farmland and prime farmland soils, wetlands, permanently protected open space, Priority Habitat Areas and BioMap 2 Critical Natural Landscape Core Habitat mapped by the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) and “Important Wildlife Habitat” mapped by the DEP.
15.3.1.5 Locations of floodplains or inundation areas for moderate or high hazard dams.
15.3.1.6-Locations of local or National Historic Districts. The owner shall obtain written local or national historical or archeological district verification from the Town Clerk as to whether or not the project is sited within such a district, then at the time of site plan submission to the Town Clerk, the owner must also complete a Project Notification Form (obtain from: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/mhc/) accompanied by standard documents, e.g., USGS locus map, scaled project plans showing existing and proposed conditions, and current photographs keyed to the plan);
15.3.2.1-Setbacks: All Ground-Mounted Solar-Photovoltaic Systems shall have front, side, and rear yard setbacks of at least 50 feet. Acreage thresholds apply in the aggregate to new facilities and expansion of existing facilities. For expansions, the acreage of the existing facility would be added to those of the proposed expansion to determine the overall size and generating capacity. Required setback areas shall not be counted toward a facility’s total acreage.
15.6.3-Financial Surety. Proponents of projects shall provide a form of surety issued by an entity with sufficient financial strength, either through escrow account, bond or otherwise, to cover the cost of removal in the event the Town must remove the Solar-Photovoltaic System and remediate the landscape, in an amount and form determined to be reasonable by the Planning Board and the Special Permit Granting Authority (where applicable), but in no event to exceed more than 125 percent of the cost of removal and compliance with the additional requirements set forth herein. Such surety will not be required for municipally- or state-owned facilities. The project proponent shall submit a fully inclusive estimate of the costs associated with removal, prepared by a qualified engineer. The amount shall include a mechanism for calculating increased removal costs due to inflation.
15.6.3-Financial Surety. Proponents of projects shall provide a form of surety issued by an entity with sufficient financial strength, either through escrow account, bond or otherwise, to cover the cost of removal in the event the Town must remove the Solar-Photovoltaic System and remediate the landscape, in an amount and form determined to be reasonable by the Planning Board and the Special Permit Granting Authority (where applicable), but in no event to exceed more than 125 percent of the cost of removal and compliance with the additional requirements set forth herein. Such surety will not be required for municipally- or state-owned facilities. The project proponent shall submit a fully inclusive estimate of the costs associated with removal, prepared by a qualified engineer. The amount shall include a mechanism for calculating increased removal costs due to inflation. The Town of Colrain shall be named as secondary insured and shall impose a lien on the property to maintain active status of bond in the event of abandonment.
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #44. (by petition) The Town of Colrain owns 8 plaster busts of unknown provenance which have been displayed within the Griswold Memorial Library for many generations.
Discriptions and appraised values of said busts are:
George Washington $2,000
Abraham Lincoln $2,000
Julius Caesar $1,500
Homer $1,500
Christopher Columbus $1,500
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow $1,500
Ludwig Van Beethoven $1,500
Dante Alighieri $750
The library trustees have considered removing the busts from the Library To do so, would erase part of our Town culture and history.
Therefore, we request you, the voters of Colrain, to vote to instruct the trustees of the Griswold Memorial Library not to erase our town history and continue to display said plaster busts in the Griswold Memorial Library.
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #45. (by petition) To see if the Town will vote to approve the installation of a Stop sign at the bottom of Colrain Mountain which would cause traffic coming from the north on Rt.112 to stop before proceeding to either turn right or go up the mountain, thereby addressing a significant safety issue for vehicles coming down the mountain and then attempting a left turn on to Main Rd. or take any other action relating thereto.
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee unanimously makes no recommendation regarding this article.
ARTICLE #46. (by petition) To see if the Town will accept sections 3 to 7, inclusive of Chapter 44B of the General Laws, otherwise known as the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act, by approving a surcharge on real property for the purposes permitted by said Act, including the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space, the acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources, the acquisition, creation, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of land for recreational use, the acquisition, creation, preservation and support of community housing, and the rehabilitation and restoration of such open space and community housing that is acquired or created as provided under said Act; that the amount of such surcharge on real property shall be 3% of the annual real estate tax levy against real property commencing in fiscal year 2026; and that the Town hereby accepts the following exemptions from such surcharge permitted under Section 3(e) of said Act:(1) property owned and occupied as a domicile by any person who qualifies for low income housing or low or moderate senior housing in the Town, as defined in Section 2 of said Act; (2) $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property; (3) $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of class three, commercial property, and class four, industrial property as defined in Section 2A of said Chapter 59; or take any other action relative thereto.
The Selectboard makes no recommendation regarding this article.
The Finance Committee recommends not approving this article(4-1).
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And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at two usual places in said town, seven days at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting, as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this seventh day of May two thousand twenty-four.
__________________________________
Benjamin Eastman, Chair
___________________________________
W. Thomas Griffin
__________________________________
Emily Thurber
Colrain Select Board
A TRUE COPY.
Attest: _________________________
Constable
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, May 21, 2024
Updated: Tue, May 21, 2024
The Town Office gardens are looking good, thanks to the crew at Lanoue's!
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 9, 2024
Updated: Thu, May 9, 2024
The Woodlands Partnership recently held an information session for Colrain residents to learn more about the article that will be on the upcoming annual town meeting warrant. For more information, visit mohawktrailwoodlandspartnership.org or email Kate Conlin.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 2, 2024
Updated: Sat, May 4, 2024
Available for pickup at the Town Office or on our website.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Apr 29, 2024
Updated: Mon, Apr 29, 2024
Saturday, May 11 from 9 am to noon, drop off bulky waste at three different locations in Franklin County.
Spring 2024 “Clean Sweep” Bulky Waste Recycling Day
Franklin County Solid Waste Management District is holding the Spring 2024 “Clean Sweep” Bulky Waste Recycling Day on Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. The three drop-off sites are: Erving Senior Center at 1 Care Dr (off Rt. 63) (note new site instead of Northfield Highway Garage); Mohawk Trail Regional School at 26 Ashfield Rd. (Route 112 South); and Whately Transfer Station at 73 Christian Lane.
Residents from any of the District’s 21 member towns may bring bulky items such as tires, appliances, scrap metal, furniture, carpeting, construction debris, computers, televisions, propane gas tanks, and other large items. Materials will be recycled whenever possible.
There are charges for most items. Disposal fees, cash only, will be collected during check-in at each site. A complete list of prices for the most common items is at: franklincountywastedistrict.org. The price list will also be provided to participating town halls and transfer stations. Residents and businesses do not need to pre-register for the collection.
Mattresses and box springs will not be accepted at this event. There are 6 regional mattress recycling locations across Franklin County. These sites are open various hours year-round. See this webpage for locations, pricing and hours: franklincountywastedistrict.org/mattress-recycling. If you are unsure if your mattress and box spring can be recycled, call the District office at 413-772-2438.
Electronics are accepted at the event, but residents are also encouraged to recycle computer equipment and televisions at their town’s transfer station, or at Greenfield Transfer Station. Staples stores accept computer equipment (no TVs) free of charge: call store for details.
Clean, dry textiles and books will be accepted for free reuse or recycling. Textiles must be contained inside a sturdy plastic bag. Textiles are now banned from the trash in Massachusetts. Textile recycling accepts 95% of all textiles and shoes, including clothing or linens that are torn, stained, with missing buttons or broken zippers. Damaged textiles can be sold to manufacturers that make insulation or shop rags. Acceptable items include CLEAN & DRY clothing, shoes, and accessories; plus curtains, sheets, towels and stuffed animals in any condition (except moldy or wet). Books can be in any condition (except moldy or wet) and can be hardcover or paperback. No encyclopedias.
Bulky Rigid Plastics will be collected separately for a special recycling program; $5 per load of acceptable items. This special recycling program only accepts these items: 5-gallon pails, plastic lawn furniture, plastic trash barrels, recycling bins, laundry baskets, storage totes, and milk crates. Bulky rigid plastic items must be empty.
Consider reuse: before sending items for disposal or recycling, see if someone else can use them. Various charities and non-profits accept donations of working electronics, including local Salvation Army and Goodwill stores. Always call ahead to ask if they can accept your item. Or, offer items for reuse on a local “Buy Nothing” Facebook group, Freecycle group, or local town groups such as NextDoor.
For more information, see franklincountywastedistrict.org, or contact the District office at info@franklincountywastedistrict.org or 413-772-2438. MA Relay for the hearing impaired: 711 or 1-800-439-2370 (TTY/TDD). The District is an equal opportunity provider.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Apr 4, 2024
Updated: Thu, Apr 4, 2024
Inform your vote for the June 4th Annual Town Meeting
Tuesday, April 30th, 5:00-7:00 p.m.—Woodlands Partnership Info Session at Colrain Central School. Learn about the benefits of joining the Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts* (so far, 19 of the 21 eligible towns have voted to join). Colrain will vote whether to join at the annual town meeting on June 4th. To read the Partnership’s Ten-Year Plan visit mohawktrailwoodlandspartnership.org Contact Kate Conlin at KConlin@newenglandforestry.org with any questions or for more information. *Established by state law in 2018 as the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Apr 2, 2024
Updated: Tue, Apr 2, 2024
After a 3-year planning process, the Franklin County & North Quabbin Age-Friendly project has completed Phase 2: Needs & Assessment & Action Planning
Through the help of Lifepath and Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) the Age- and Dementia-Friendly Franklin County and North Quabbin Regional Action Plan for 2024-2028 has been completed (see below). Colrain has also been certified as a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
An age-friendly community is a place that makes it easy for older people to stay connected to people that are important to them. And it helps people stay healthy and active even at the oldest of ages and provides appropriate support to those who need it.
As our population ages, it will be increasingly important to make decisions at the town level that take this demographic shift into account. This plan provides an evidence-informed roadmap for communities in our area to become more age- and dementia-friendly. It offers specific action steps that towns can take as well as collaborative projects that are already underway.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Mar 7, 2024
Updated: Thu, Mar 7, 2024
The closing date for the Fiscal Year 25 ATM Warrant is April 12 at 4:00 PM.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Mar 7, 2024
Updated: Thu, Mar 7, 2024
The Districts have partnered with BERK12 and need your input by filling out an introductory survey.
The Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts have partnered with BERK12, a consulting team focused on short and long term solutions for rural schools and communities, for Phase II of the Sustainability Study. A website has been created, 2districts8towns.org, for community members to stay informed on the progress of the study and learn about opportunites to participate.
The BERK12 and 2D8T teams want to hear from committee members, elected officials, students and families, school staff, and community members to collect initial perspectives about the schools/districts. You are encouraged to complete the survey, which can be accessed here.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Feb 28, 2024
Updated: Wed, Feb 28, 2024
The Ad-Hoc CPA Exploratory Committee invites residents to attend an information session at the Colrain Central School on March 16, 2024 at 5:00 pm.
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Should Colrain Adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA)?
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| Attend a public information session at Colrain Central School Saturday March 16th, 2024 at 5 pm. Refreshments provided. |
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The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a state law passed in 2000 which provides a locally-controlled source of money that towns can use for…
- creating and rehabilitating recreational facilities
- preserving historic buildings and resources
- supporting local affordable housing development
- protecting open space
To fund the CPA, we'll need to approve a small surcharge on our property taxes
How much would this cost? Here are examples of a 3% annual surcharge, based on a property owner's assessed property value:
| $200,000 |
$59 |
$350,000 |
$147 |
| $250,000 |
$88 |
$400,000 |
$177 |
| $300,000 |
$118 |
$450,000 |
$206 |
Under the proposed bylaw, every property would have the first $100,000 of valuation deducted before applying the tax. And, low income residents and seniors can apply to be fully exempted from the surcharge.
The CPA is popular because it’s a great way to support community projects that benefit all, at a relatively minimal cost to any one household.
A town can choose from 0.5% up to 3%; but 3% gets us the highest state match, likely 100%, and collects enough to do substantive projects, ~$70,000 - $100,00 per year after exemptions.
Is the CPA worth it? Find out more - the voters decide!
- Attend a public information session at the Central school on March 16th at 5pm - pizza served!
- Read the flyer here
- See the slideshow here
- Go to the website to find out what your surcharge would be, based on your own property valuation.
Almost 200 communities in Massachusetts have adopted CPA, including Conway, Deerfield, Greenfield, Northfield, Leverett, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Whately, and last year, Shelburne.
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Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Feb 28, 2024
Updated: Wed, Feb 28, 2024
The CPA Ad-hoc Study Committee will be holding a remote information session on 2/28/24 at 7:00PM.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Jan 22, 2024
Updated: Mon, Jan 22, 2024
Join us for the first of three community meetings.
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments is working with 8 communities on a Regional Digital Equity Plan to ensure that all residents have fair and equal access to digital technologies–including access to the internet and computers–as well as the skills and knowledge to effectively use them.
The 8 participating communities are:
Charlemont
Colrain
Leyden
New Salem
Northfield
Orange
Warwick
Wendell
Join us for the first of three community meetings:
Wednesday, January 17th
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Northfield Senior Center
69 Main St., Northfield, MA
This meeting will be hybrid, and is open to all residents of the towns listed.
If you plan on attend via Zoom, please register in advance:
https://bit.ly/regionaldigitalplan
After registering, you will receive an email containing information about joining the meeting.
We will hold two additional community meetings during the early evening,
one in Orange, and one in Charlemont, dates and exact locations TBD.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Jan 4, 2024
Updated: Mon, Jan 8, 2024
The Selectboard has scheduled the FY25 ATM for June 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM at the Colrain Central School.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Dec 27, 2023
Updated: Thu, Jan 11, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $350,000 to Support Dam Removal Studies in 7 Municipalities
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 12, 2023
CONTACT
Krista Haas
krista.haas@mass.gov
Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $350,000 to Support Dam Removal Studies in 7 Municipalities
Athol, Attleboro, Colrain, Groton, North Andover, Monson, Phillipston, and Shutesbury area dams to be funded
BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the advancement of dam removal preliminary design studies for seven municipalities by the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER). These studies, funded and managed by DER, help owners of significant hazard dams assess risks and opportunities associated with potential dam removal projects and provide DER with critical information for future ecological restoration and climate adaptation planning. DER is supporting these preliminary design studies with $350,000 divided evenly amongst the seven dams, with $250,000 from the State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (SHMCAP) and $100,000 in funding from DER Operational funds.
“We saw this summer the devastation that can be caused when aging infrastructure gets overwhelmed by extreme weather,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “A few months ago, we released ResilientMass, our strategy to build safer, more resilient communities in the face of climate change. Through ResilientMass, we’re funding initiatives like this one to support local communities take on these tough challenges and fund nature-based solutions to protect our residents.”
“DFG is excited to catalyze dam removal at these significant-hazard dams, bringing us a step closer to restoring rivers,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “The work supports Governor Healey’s recent Biodiversity Executive Order by restoring rivers and the plants and animals that depend on them. This work will also benefit communities throughout Massachusetts through improved water quality, increased climate resilience, and reduced public safety risk.”
“There are many waterways throughout the Commonwealth that are hindered and deteriorating due to unnecessary dams,” said DER Director Beth Lambert. “Restoring these systems via dam removal can be a lengthy and complicated process, so supporting thorough preliminary design studies at these sites will help to bring them much closer to realizing their restoration goals. We are proud to be working with municipalities, NGOs, and citizens to pursue this shared vision of a restored Massachusetts.”
There are over 3,000 dams in Massachusetts, most of which no longer serve their original purpose and many of which are in disrepair. These dams can result in poor water quality, blocked passage for fish and wildlife, increased flood risk, and public safety hazards. Removing unwanted dams fixes these issues. Dam removal benefits communities through increased climate resilience and the elimination of dam operation and maintenance burdens for landowners. These preliminary design studies funded and led by DER will gather and synthesize information for each dam to inform future removal projects.
The State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (SHMCAP), was adopted in September as the Commonwealth’s 2023 ResilientMass Plan. The plan aims to outline a path toward building long-term resilience throughout Massachusetts by leveraging historical risk data and integrating that data with projected future climate conditions. The ResilientMass Plan identifies strategies and specific, measurable actions state agencies will take to address risks to the human health and safety, communities, critical assets and infrastructure, natural resources, governance, and economy of the Commonwealth. The ResilientMass Plan includes several priority actions related to dam removal, ecological restoration, and flood risk reduction, and progress is tracked via the Agency Action Tracker found at resilient.mass.gov.
DER is supporting dam removal preliminary design studies at the following seven dams:
Bates Powers Reservoir Dam, Phillipston; dam owned by Town of Athol
The Bates Powers Reservoir Dam is located upstream of a Coldwater Fish Resource. Removal of the dam will restore important habitat and protect public safety by removing a Significant Hazard structure upstream of two major roadways which could be at risk in the event of dam failure.
Cochichewick River Dam, North Andover; dam owned by private owner
The Cochichewick River Dam is located on the Cochichewick River with no other dams downstream between it and the ocean, meaning that removal of the dam will greatly benefit fish passage. Removal will also protect public safety by removing a Significant Hazard structure within an Environmental Justice community and upstream of an MBTA commuter rail line and residential and commercial buildings, which could be vulnerable in the event of a dam failure.
Colrain Lower Reservoir Dam, Colrain; dam owned by Town of Colrain
The Colrain Lower Reservoir Dam is located on East Brook, a Coldwater Fish Resource, and upstream of critical habitat. Dam removal will improve the health of the ecosystem and protect public safety by removing a Significant Hazard structure that could result in flooding in the Town of Colrain in the event of a dam failure.
Dudleyville Pond Dam, Shutesbury; dam owned by private owner
The Dudleyville Pond Dam is located on an unnamed tributary to the Sawmill River, on a Coldwater Fish Resource, and upstream of critical habitat. Dam removal will improve the health of the ecosystem and protect public safety by removing a Significant Hazard structure.
Lunden Pond Dam, Monson; dam owned by The Trustees
The Lunden Pond Dam is located on an unnamed tributary to Temple Brook, upstream of a Coldwater Fish Resource and critical habitat. Removal of the dam will improve the health of the ecosystem and increase public safety by removing a Significant Hazard structure that’s located upstream of a road and natural gas crossing. Removal will also contribute to the Town of Monson’s top priority of reducing flood hazards in their Hazard Mitigation Plan and Municipal Vulnerability planning efforts.
Mechanics Pond Dam, Attleboro; dam owned by City of Attleboro
The Mechanics Pond Dam is located on the Tenmile River and is currently creating issues with water quality and algal blooms. Removal will provide important water quality benefits and will also protect public safety, as the dam is a Significant Hazard structure within an Environmental Justice community. A school, housing, roads, a rail system, and downtown Attleboro are all in proximity to the dam and could be at risk in the event of dam failure.
Squannacook River Dam, Groton; dam jointly owned by Town of Groton & private owner
The Squannacook River Dam is located on a Coldwater Fish Resource within an Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Removal of this dam will improve the health of the ecosystem and protect public safety by removing a Significant Hazard structure. Removal of this dam was identified as a priority by the Merrimack Restoration Partnership, the Nashua River Watershed Association, and by the Town of Groton’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness planning effort.
Statements of Support
State Senator John J. Cronin
"Ensuring that our rivers and waterways can function as intended is a crucial step towards reaching the Commonwealth's conservation and climate goals. The Squannacook River is a source of joy for so many people in North Central Mass and a vital part of the region's ecosystem. Removing unnecessary dams and allowing nature to run its course is an endeavor that will pay off for years to come."
State Representative Susannah Whipps
“I am very grateful to the Healey Driscoll administration for recognizing the importance of helping our small communities protect infrastructure while also recognizing the importance of our waterways and local ecosystems.”
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The mission of the Division of Ecological Restoration is to restore and protect the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. The Department of Fish and Game is responsible for promoting the conservation and enjoyment of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land protection and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and wildlife species, and ecological restoration of fresh water, salt water, and terrestrial habitats. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.
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Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Dec 14, 2023
Updated: Thu, Dec 14, 2023
Receive town-wide emergency and non-emergency notifications via telephone, email or text.
What is Colrain Alert?
The Town of Colrain has a contract with Finalsite (formerly Blackboard Connect) for an emergency and outreach (non-emergency) notification system, Colrain Alert. This system allows authorized town officials to create and rapidly disseminate time-sensitive messages to every telephone number and email address stored in the notification database. Per the Select Board, (see the Select Board Policies for more information) only authorized officials are allowed to access and send out emergency and occasional non-emergency notifications via telephone, email and text to residents.
How does the system work?
Authorized officials record a voice message that is then delivered quickly to individual phones and emails in the notification database.
How do I Sign up?
To sign up or confirm if your telephone number or email address is registered in the system, use the following steps:
- On the Town of Colrain homepage, select Colrain Alert
Know your login info?
- Enter it in the fields and click login.
Not sure if you're signed up?
- Select Sign Me Up! If the email address being used is already registered a notification will appear.
Once logged in, manage your account in the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Dec 6, 2023
Updated: Wed, Dec 6, 2023
The Town of Colrain has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kevin Fox,
December 1, 2023 Town Administrator
413-624-6306
Mark Cappadona
508-485-5858 ext. 3
COLRAIN ENERGY PROGRAM ANNOUNCES NEW RATES
COLRAIN, MA – The Town of Colrain has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. The Colrain Community Choice Power Supply Program, tailored to meet the specific needs of the Town’s electricity ratepayers, will continue to offer the same options at new rates as well as one new option:
- A standard product that meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 62.3% at a rate of $0.14159 per kWh.
- An optional product that meets MA Req plus uses an additional 38% National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at a rate of $0.14302 per kWh.
- [NEW] A second optional product that uses 100% Massachusetts Class I RECs at a rate of $0.18092 per kWh.
For Colrain residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town’s standard product, the current rate of $0.09345 per kWh will expire and the new rate of $0.14159 per kWh will take effect with the January 2024 meter reads. This represents an increase of $29 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. However, this new rate is 11 percent lower than Eversource’s recently announced Residential Basic Service rate of $0.15845 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an average savings of $10 per month for the months of January 2024 through July 2024*.
“Even though the cost of electricity has increased since the last time we were in the market, we are still able to offer rates that provide savings to start and stability for the next two years,” said Kevin Fox, Colrain Town Administrator. “In addition, we are able to offer a second green product that provides residents and businesses another option to help reduce their dependence on non-renewable energy sources.”
Colrain launched its electricity program in August 2020 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable, affordable and incorporate renewable energy. From inception through June 2023, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $529,000 in electricity costs as compared to Basic Service.
It is important to note that no action will be required by individual consumers. This change will be seen on the February 2024 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate under the “Supplier Services” section of their monthly bill. If you would like to choose the Town’s new optional product, please visit colonialpowergroup.com/colrain to opt-in.
The Colrain Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.
Eversource customers who meet certain means criteria can qualify to receive a discount on their electric bills. To learn more, please visit eversource.com/content/residential/account-billing/payment-assistance/discount-rate.
Residents may also visit colonialpowergroup.com/colrain or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Colrain’s Community Choice Power Supply Program, to opt-in or opt-out, or to change your current product selection.
*Normally, the term would be through June 2024 but this is a transition term. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities issued an Order on September 1, 2023 that requires Eversource change its residential and small business Basic Service periods to February through July and August through January. This is expected to mitigate large seasonal changes in Basic Service electricity supply prices and differences across electric distribution companies. [See mass.gov/news/dpu-orders-schedule-changes-to-basic-service-rates.]
ABOUT COLONIAL POWER GROUP: Based in Marlborough, Mass., Colonial Power Group is the leading aggregation-consulting firm in Massachusetts. Colonial Power has been working with local governments since 2002 in the design, implementation and management of municipal aggregation programs.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Nov 30, 2023
Updated: Thu, Nov 30, 2023
FRCOG has secured funding to install wayfinding signs on the Franklin County Bikeway network
The Franklin County Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) has contracted with Road Safe to complete work installing Franklin County Bikeway logo signs that are intended to guide bicyclists as they navigate on the routes of the Bikeway network. One of the routes travels through Colrain along Route 112/Main Rd from the Shelburne town line to the Vermont border. The installation of the signs is scheduled to take place during October and November.
See the below maps for sign locations:
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Nov 8, 2023
Updated: Wed, Nov 8, 2023
VEHICLE STICKERS TO BE REQUIRED AT COLRAIN TRANSFER STATION
VEHICLE STICKERS REQUIRED AT COLRAIN TRANSFER STATION
Effective October 28, 2023, vehicles utilizing the Colrain Transfer Station located at 7 Charlemont Road must display a Colrain Transfer Station sticker. Two stickers will be issued to each Colrain household free of charge. Stickers may be obtained at the following location:
- The Colrain Town Office, 55 Main Rd. (Mon-Thurs. 9:00 am- 3:00 pm)
Please note: Because the Colrain Transfer Station is a regional ‘super site’, the Town is obligated to allow any citizen residing in the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District to dispose of items designated as super site items for a fee. [See the fee schedule for the disposal of these items on the Town of Colrain website].
Stickers must be displayed on the rear-most driver’s side window.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Nov 2, 2023
Updated: Thu, Nov 2, 2023
These funds will be used to fund the construction costs to repair Jacksonville Rd. engineering and permitting is underway.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Oct 31, 2023
Updated: Tue, Oct 31, 2023
Sign up now for news updates and meeting postings
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Oct 30, 2023
Updated: Tue, Oct 31, 2023
former Library Director and prominent town resident Betty Johnson happily picks up a new transfer station sticker!
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Sep 25, 2023
Updated: Mon, Sep 25, 2023
resident Tim Slowinski had the honor of receiving the first Transfer Station Sticker issued! Thanks Tim!
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Sep 25, 2023
Updated: Mon, Sep 25, 2023
Franklin Regional Transit Authority Providing rides for adults 60 yrs+ for medical appointments, shopping, meals and social trips.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Aug 31, 2023
Updated: Thu, Aug 31, 2023
James P. McGovern represents the Second Congressional District in MA, which Colrain is now part of.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Aug 15, 2023
Updated: Tue, Aug 15, 2023
The Town has recently achieved Tier 2 status in the MASSDOT Complete Streets Program allowing it to apply for and access Tier 3 funding.
How the Program Works
The program utilizes three program tiers to help municipalities advance their Complete Streets initiatives from policy, to plan, to projects.
Tier Number TIER DESCRIPTION
Tier 1: Complete Streets Training & Policy
Municipality representative attends a free MassDOT Complete Streets training and the
community develops and passes a Complete Streets policy.
Tier 2: Complete Streets Prioritization Plan
Municipalities develop a Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. MassDOT provides up to
$38,000 for technical assistance to assist in the development if needed.
Tier 3: Complete Streets Project Construction
Municipalities are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in construction funding to implement
a project identified in their Prioritization Plan.
The Town is currently working on a priority project application to obtain Tier 3 construction funding. The application will be submitted this fall with the goal of funding a project in the Spring/Summer of 2024.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Aug 10, 2023
Updated: Thu, Aug 10, 2023
The towns independent auditor presented the results of the fiscal year 22 audit to the Selectboard on 7/25/23. The reports can be viewed below.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Jul 26, 2023
Updated: Wed, Jul 26, 2023
The Town of Colrain is seeking a full-time Equipment Operator /Laborer for its Highway Department see below.
Town of Colrain
Highway Department
Equipment Operator/Laborer
The Town of Colrain is seeking a full-time Equipment Operator /Laborer for its Highway Department. Candidate must possess a Mass. Commercial Drivers License (CDL Class 2), a Hoisting License (2B) and a valid medical card. Experience with snow removal, road construction, repair and maintenance as well as the ability to operate and maintain special, heavy, and other motor equipment, power tools, pneumatic tools, and hand tools preferred. Application may be obtained on the Town’s web-site: colrain-ma.gov.com or at the Colrain Town Office located at 55 Main Rd. Colrain MA. A detailed job description may also be obtained at the Colrain Town Office Mon.-Thurs. 9AM-4PM. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, May 30, 2023
Updated: Tue, May 30, 2023
The Selectboard have approved the Fiscal Year Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
TOWN OF COLRAIN
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Fiscal Year 2024
FRANKLIN SS:
To either of the Constables of the Town of Colrain in the County of Franklin.
GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote on town affairs, to meet at the Colrain Town Office grounds, located at 55 Main Road at 5:30 PM in said town on Tuesday the thirteenth day in June 2023, there and then to act on the following articles:
ARTICLE #1. To see if the Town will instruct the Town Clerk to report on the election of officers and ballot questions as follows:
Select Board Member 3 years
Assessor 3 years
Library Trustees 3 years
Library Trustees 3 years
Constable 3 years
Mohawk Trail RSD School Committee Member 3 years
ARTICLE #2. To hear reports of various Town Officers and act thereon or pass any vote or votes thereto.
ARTICLE #3. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salaries of Compensation of Elected Officers of the Town, as provided by MGL Chapter 4l, section l08 as amended; the salaries or compensations for the period of July l, 2023 – June 30, 2024, are as follows, or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto:
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Voted
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Proposed
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FY 2023
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FY 2024
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Select Board, Chair
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$3,461
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$3,600
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Select Board, Clerk
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$3,461
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$3,600
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Select Board, Member
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$3,461
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$3,600
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Moderator
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$110
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$114
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Town Clerk
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$24,150
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$25,116
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Board of Assessors, Chair
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$3,447
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$3,585
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Board of Assessors, Member
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$3,447
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$3,585
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Board of Assessors, Member
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$3,447
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$3,585
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ARTICLE #4. To see if the Town will vote to make the following appropriations to fund the Town Operating Budget and raise by taxation, or otherwise provide, the required amounts, or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto:
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VOTED
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PROPOSED
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FY 2023
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FY 2024
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General Government:
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Selectboard Wages
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10,384
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10,800
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Selectboard Expenses
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$1,000
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$1,000
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Town Administrator Wages
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$89,250
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$95,000
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Town Counsel
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$10,000
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$10,000
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Town Administrator Expenses
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$500
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$500
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Administrative Assistant Wages
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30,141
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31,150
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Town Office Maintenance Expenses
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$15,400
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$17,900
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Professional Development
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$500
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$500
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Office Expense
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$29,376
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$40,770
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Town Telephone
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$4,500
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$4,500
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Custodian Wages
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$6,241
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$6,491
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Town Reports and Ballots
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$800
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$800
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Advertising Expense
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$1,000
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$1,000
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Annual Independent Audit
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$16,000
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$16,000
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Town Accountant Fee
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$21,949
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$25,200
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Accounting Software Expense
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$3,970
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$3,970
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Total General Government:
|
$241,011
|
$265,581
|
|
|
|
|
|
Town Clerk:
|
|
|
|
Town Clerk Wages
|
$24,150
|
$25,116
|
|
Town Clerk Expenses
|
$6,365
|
$5,615
|
|
Election Expenses
|
$4,431
|
$4,466
|
|
Total Town Clerk:
|
$34,946
|
$35,197
|
|
|
|
|
|
Police Department:
|
|
|
|
Police Wages
|
$106,825
|
$110,900
|
|
Police Office Expenses
|
$1,800
|
$1,800
|
|
Police Training Expenses
|
$6,000
|
$6,000
|
|
Police Equipment Expenses
|
$15,535
|
$16,835
|
|
Police Cruiser Expenses
|
$10,820
|
$11,500
|
|
Total Police Department:
|
$140,980
|
$147,035
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fire Department:
|
|
|
|
Fire Department Wages
|
$70,950
|
$77,150
|
|
Fire Pumper Maintenance and Equipment Expenses
|
$44,650
|
$45,150
|
|
Fire House Maintenance
|
$19,300
|
$21,000
|
|
Total Fire Department:
|
$134,900
|
$143,330
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emergency Management:
|
|
|
|
Emergency Management Wages
|
$1,920
|
$1,997
|
|
Emergency Management Expenses
|
$2,700
|
$2,700
|
|
Total Emergency Management:
|
$4,620
|
$4,697
|
|
|
|
|
|
Building Inspector Department:
|
|
|
|
Building inspector Wages
|
$9,371
|
$9,746
|
|
Building Inspector Expenses
|
$200
|
$200
|
|
Inspection Software
|
$3,445
|
$3,445
|
|
Inspector Certification
|
$870
|
$870
|
|
Total Building Inspector Department:
|
$13,886
|
$14,261
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highway Department:
|
|
|
|
Highway Department Wages
|
$267,682
|
$286,693
|
|
General Highway Maintenance
|
$121,300
|
$121,300
|
|
Machinery Maintenance
|
$43,000
|
$43,000
|
|
Bridges
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
|
Gasoline, Diesel, and Oil
|
$65,800
|
$65,800
|
|
CDL Drug Testing
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
|
Winter Roads
|
$86,401
|
$86,400
|
|
Streetlights
|
$5,500
|
$5,500
|
|
Highway Garage Maintenance
|
$20,900
|
$20,900
|
|
Total Highway Department:
|
$614,583
|
$633,593
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assessors Department:
|
|
|
|
Assessor’s Wages
|
$10,341
|
$10,755
|
|
Director of Assessing Wages
|
$44,188
|
$44,287
|
|
Assessor’s Expenses
|
$17,130
|
$19,080
|
|
Total Assessor’s Department:
|
$71,659
|
$74,122
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasurer/Collector:
|
|
|
|
Treasurer/Collector Wages
|
$63,630
|
$65,520
|
|
Treasurer/Collector Expenses
|
$18,764
|
$23,110
|
|
Tax Title Expense
|
$0
|
$10,000
|
|
Tax Foreclosure Custodian Expense
|
$10,000
|
$5,000
|
|
Total Treasurer/Collector:
|
$92,394
|
$103,630
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board of Health:
|
|
|
|
Board of Health Wages
|
$2,500
|
$2,600
|
|
Board of Health Expenses
|
$6,500
|
$500
|
|
Total Board of Health:
|
$9,000
|
$3,100
|
|
|
|
|
|
Animal Inspector Department:
|
|
|
|
Inspector Of Animals Wages
|
$1,200
|
$1,500
|
|
Inspector of Animals Expense
|
$200
|
$200
|
|
Total Animal Inspector Department:
|
$1,400
|
$1,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
Library Department:
|
|
|
|
Library Wages
|
$50,582
|
$53,972
|
|
Library Expenses
|
$43,330
|
$43,099
|
|
Total Library Department:
|
$93,912
|
$97,071
|
|
|
|
|
|
Council on Aging Expenses
|
$20,000
|
$20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer Station Department:
|
|
|
|
Transfer Station Wages
|
$21,622
|
$22,486
|
|
Transfer Station Expenses
|
$74,598
|
$79,112
|
|
Total Transfer Station Department:
|
$96,220
|
$101,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unclassified Expenses:
|
|
|
|
Moderator
|
110
|
114
|
|
Moderator Expenses
|
$60
|
60
|
|
Tree Warden
|
$56
|
$0
|
|
Veterans Benefits
|
$7,500
|
$0
|
|
Memorial Day
|
$700
|
$1,000
|
|
Cemetery Maintenance
|
$800
|
$1,100
|
|
Property/Liability Insurance
|
$59,250
|
$61,000
|
|
Board/Committee Clerical Wages
|
$2,387
|
$2,483
|
|
Group Ins/Medi/SUI - Town Share
|
$149,357
|
$163,240
|
|
Personnel Committee Expenses
|
$100
|
$100
|
|
Planning Board Expenses
|
$1,000
|
$1,000
|
|
Finance Committee Expenses
|
$330
|
$330
|
|
School Committee Stipends
|
$900
|
$900
|
|
Reserve Fund
|
$2,000
|
$2,000
|
|
Conservation Commission Expenses
|
$100
|
$100
|
|
Historic Commission Expenses
|
$100
|
$100
|
|
Total Unclassified Expenses:
|
$224,750
|
$233,527
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$1,794,261
|
$1,878,412
|
ARTICLE #5. To see if the Town will vote pursuant to the provisions of Section 53E1/2 of Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws, to authorize the establishment of revolving funds for certain town departments for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 with specific receipts credited to each fund, the purposes for which each fund may be spent and the maximum that may be spent from each fund for the fiscal year as follows:
|
Revolving Fund Title
|
Authorized to Spend Fund
|
Revenue Source
|
Use of Fund
|
FY24 Spending Limit
|
Disposition of FY23 Fund Balance
|
|
Plumbing Inspector
|
Plumbing Inspector
|
Plumbing Permit Fees and Applications
|
Reimburse Inspector for Inspection Services
|
$3,500.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2024
|
|
Health Inspector
|
Health Inspectors
|
Board of Health Permit Fees and Applications
|
Reimburse Inspectors for Inspection Services
|
$5,000.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2024
|
|
Electrical Inspector
|
Electrical Inspector
|
Electrical Permit Fees and Applications
|
Reimburse Inspector for Inspection Services
|
$3,500.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2024
|
|
Fire Inspector
|
Fire Department Inspectors
|
Fire Permit Fees and Applications
|
Reimburse Inspectors for Inspection Services
|
$3,500.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2024
|
|
Dog Fund
|
Town Clerk, Dog Officer,
and Select Board
|
Dog License Fees and Other Charges as Provided by Chapter 40, S 147A.
|
Offset Expenses Related to Administration of licenses and other Animal Control Matters
|
$15,000.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2024
|
|
Demolition Fund
|
Board of Health and Building Inspector
|
Receipts from demolition liens, municipal abatement liens and related insurance reimbursements including court orders.
|
For purposes associated with demolition, boarding and securing, and abating public health nuisances related to abandoned properties as determined by the Board of Health or Building Inspector.
|
$20,000.00
|
Balance Available for Expenditure in 2024
|
ARTICLE #6. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Select Board to apply for, accept, and expend any state or federal grants that may become available, or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $26,150 to be used for Interest and Fees on Short-Term Indebtedness or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $287,271 and transfer from the Quintus Allen Fund the sum of $2,152 for a total sum of $289,423 to be used for the Franklin County Technical School District’s annual operating assessment or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $4,820 to be used for the Franklin County Technical School District’s annual capital assessment or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $2,283,353 to be used for the Mohawk Trail Regional School District’s annual operating assessment or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $73,947 to be used for the Mohawk Trail Regional School District’s annual capital assessment or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $9,871 for its share of the Statutory Charges and Core Service Assessment of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $2,850 for its share of the Cooperative Purchasing Program Service Assessment of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $150 for its share of the Emergency Planning Committee Service Assessment of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $12,408 for its share of the cost of the Franklin Regional Council of Government’s Cooperative Public Health Service or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $5,021 for its share of the cost to pay for a Regional Animal Control Officer or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $126,163 for its share of the cost to maintain the Franklin Regional Retirement System or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $6,460 to pay the town’s allocated share of the cost of the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,906 to pay the town’s allocated share of the cost of membership in the Upper Pioneer Valley Veteran’s Service District or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $350 to pay for its share of the Operating and Capital Costs of the Franklin County Regional Dog Control and Adoption Center or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or otherwise provide the sum of $754,737 to pay for the operation and maintenance of the Colrain Broadband Network (an enterprise fund) or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $2,000 to be used for the Police Administration account (any amount expended will be 100% reimbursed) or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of $2,000 toward the cost of restoration and preservation of town records or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #24. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash the sum of $190,000 to pay for the purchase of a new Highway Department Tractor/Mower or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE #25. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from free cash the sum of $35,000 to pay for a feasibility study to determine the costs and technical requirements of addressing drainage, flooding, security, accessibility, parking, safety, privacy concerns, and the construction of a covered gathering space at Griswold Memorial Library or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE #26
To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum or sums of money for the stabilization funds as shown in the chart below or take any other action relative thereto.
2/3 vote required.
|
Purpose
|
Fund
|
|
|
Amount
|
Source of Funds
|
|
Transfer Station
|
Transfer Station Stabilization
|
|
|
10,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Technology
|
Technology Stabilization
|
|
|
8,237
|
Free Cash
|
|
Highway
|
Highway Stabilization
|
|
|
110,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Police
|
Police Dept. Stabilization
|
|
|
15,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Library
|
Griswold Library Capital Stabilization
|
|
|
50,000
|
Free Cash
|
|
Total
|
Total
|
|
|
193,237
|
|
ARTICLE #27. To see if the Town will authorize the Select Board to accept and expend, as an available fund, any of the bond issue or operating budget monies (also called “Chapter” monies) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation or pass any vote or votes in relation thereto.
ARTICLE #28. To see if the Town will vote to amend the MOHAWK TRAIL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – REGIONAL DISTRICT AGREEMENT by striking the following language contained in Section IV Apportionment of Expenses among Member Towns, Subsections (A) through (J):
(A) Classification of Costs
For the purpose of apportioning assessments levied by the District upon the member towns, costs shall be divided into two categories: capital costs and operating costs.
(B) Capital Costs
Capital costs shall include all expenses in the nature of capital outlay such as the cost of acquiring land, the cost of constructing, reconstructing and adding to buildings, and the cost of remodeling or making extraordinary repairs to a school building or buildings, including
without limitations the cost of the original equipment and furnishings for such buildings or additions, plans, architects’ and consultants’ fees, grading and other costs incidental to placing school buildings and additions and related premises in operating condition. Capital costs shall also include payments of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the District to finance capital costs. Instructional capital expenditures which qualify under net school spending are not included under capital costs, and instead are included as an operating cost.
(C) Operating Costs
Operating costs shall include all costs not included in capital costs as defined in subsection IV(B) but including interest on temporary notes issued by the District in anticipation of revenue.
(D) Responsibility for Capital and Operating Costs
(1) Grades 7-12
Operating and capital costs, as defined above, associated with grades seven to
twelve (7-12) inclusive of the District school or schools shall be deemed District
costs and the member towns shall be assessed their respective net shares thereof
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
(2) Grades pre-K-6
- Costs associated with the operation of grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District schools shall be deemed operating costs of the District and the member towns shall be assessed their respective net shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
- All capital costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District schools shall be deemed capital costs of the District and the member towns shall be assessed their respective net shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of section IV(E) of this Agreement.
- If any member town or towns should construct an elementary school, the respective member town or towns will assume responsibility for all capital costs.
(E) Apportionment of Capital Costs Grades pre-K-6
(1) Ashfield, Plainfield
Capital costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving pupils from the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield shall be apportioned to the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield as follows:
To Ashfield: A portion of the whole expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the population of the Town of Ashfield bears to the total of the population of the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, and by (2), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at said school(s), resident in the Town of Ashfield, as determined by the census of pupils at said school(s) each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of the enrollment of pupils at the Ashfield Plainfield district school(s), resident in the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, as determined by the census of pupils at said school(s) each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016); and by summing both ratios ((1) + (2)), and dividing such sum by two.
To Plainfield: A portion of the whole expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the population of the Town of Plainfield bears to the total of the population of the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, and by (2), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Ashfield Plainfield district school(s), resident in the Town of Plainfield, as determined by the census of pupils at said school(s) each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollment of pupils at the Ashfield and Plainfield district school(s), resident in the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, as determined by the census of pupils at said school(s) each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016); and by summing both ratios ((1)+(2)), and dividing such sum by two.
(2) Buckland, Shelburne
Capital costs incurred by the committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving the pupils from the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne shall be apportioned to the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne as follows:
To Buckland: A portion of the total of all principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee consistent with the above, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: By (1), computing ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School, resident in the Town of Buckland, as determined by the census of pupils at said district school each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollments of pupils at the said district school, resident in the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne, as determined by the census of pupils each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016); and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage.
To Shelburne: A portion of the total of all principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee consistent with the above, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School, resident in the Town of Shelburne, as determined by the census of pupils at said district school each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollments of pupils at said district school, resident in the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne, as determined by the census of pupils each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016); and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage.
(3) Colrain, Heath
Effective commencing with Fiscal Year 2023, new capital costs incurred by the committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving the pupils from the Towns of Colrain and Heath shall be apportioned to the Towns of Colrain and Heath as follows:
To Colrain: A portion of the total of all principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee consistent with the above, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Colrain Center School, resident in the Town of Colrain as determined by the census of pupils at said district school each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollments of pupils at said district school, resident in the Towns of Heath and Colrain, as determined by the census of pupils each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation); and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage. Until five years of data becomes available, the most recent years of data shall be used to determine said ratio.
To Heath: A portion of the total of all principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee on or after July 1, 2022 consistent with the above, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent calculated as follows: By (1), computing the ratio which the sum of the enrollments of pupils at the Colrain Center School, resident in the Town of Heath as determined by the census of pupils at said district school each October 1 for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of enrollments of pupils at said district school, resident in the Towns of Heath and Colrain, as determined by the census of pupils each October 1 for the five most recent years (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation); (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage. Until five years of data becomes available, the most recent years of data shall be used to determine said ratio.
(4) The Heath Elementary School Building was returned to the Town of Heath on July 1, 2017, and the Lease between the parties terminated as of said date. In exchange for termination of the lease, the District paid to the Town of Heath a total sum of $240,000.00. Any outstanding debt payments associated with the Heath Elementary School shall remain the responsibility of the Town of Heath, and the Town of Heath shall continue to be assessed for said debt in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(5) Capital costs representing payments of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations as issued by the Committee to finance expenses in the nature of capital outlay for the purpose of construction at the site of, or reconstruction to, the Colrain Central School or upon any premises as may be leased to the Mohawk Trail Regional School District by the Town of Colrain, shall be borne by the Towns of Colrain and Heath, as provided in Section E. (3), above.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the member towns from amending this Agreement and modifying and/or altering the above designated schedules of apportionment of capital costs in the event subsequent school construction or reconstruction results in a change of grade level or town assignments to the District schools.
(F) Apportionment of Capital Costs Grades 7-12
Capital costs represented by debt service shall be apportioned as a capital cost of the year in which the debt service falls due.
Capital costs incurred July 1, 1993 and thereafter shall be apportioned to the member towns annually for the ensuing fiscal year as follow:
(1) Each member town’s share of capital costs associated with the District High
School for each capital project shall be apportioned to the member towns on the
basis of their respective pupil enrollments at said school. Each member town’s
share shall be determined by computing the ratio which that town’s average
pupil enrollment at said school on October 1 of each of the five years next preceding
the first year for which the apportionment is determined bears to the total
average pupil enrollment from all member towns at said school for the same
five year period. In the event that enrollment at the District High School has not been accomplished by October 1, capital costs shall be determined on the basis of enrollment in grades seven through twelve of pupils residing in each member town
and receiving education at such town’s expense on October 1 of that year.
(2) Each member town’s percentage share to the nearest one tenth of one percent will remain in effect for the term of the debt for each capital project.
(G) Apportionment of Operating Costs
Operating costs for the first fiscal year next following the effective date of Chapter 371 of the Acts of 1993 (See attachment) and for every fiscal year thereafter shall be apportioned to the member towns on the basis of their respective pupil enrollments in the regional District schools. Each member town’s share for each fiscal year shall be determined by computing the ratio which that town’s average pupil enrollment in the District schools on October 1 of each of the five years next preceding the year for which the apportionment is to be determined bears to the total average pupil enrollment from all member towns in the regional District schools for the same five year period (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016), as more fully set forth in Subsection IV(H) below. In the event that enrollment in the regional District schools has not been accomplished by October 1 of any year, operating costs shall be apportioned on the basis of enrollment in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve of pupils residing in each member town and receiving education at such town’s expense on October 1 of that year.
(H) The apportionment of operating costs shall be determined in accordance with the following procedure:
First: The Committee shall determine the proportion of the annual budget representing costs associated with the provisions of services to grades seven through twelve and the proportion representing costs associated with all other services including services to grades pre-kindergarten through six.
Second: The Committee shall determine the average enrollment share of each member town in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. For this purpose, average enrollment share shall equal, for each member town, its five-year average proportionate share of total student enrollment in the district schools for grades seven through twelve, as of October 1 in each of the five years immediately preceding the year for which such allocation is to be made.
Third: The Committee shall apportion costs of grades seven through twelve, inclusive, to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont in direct proportion to each town’s five-year average share of student enrollment in grades seven through twelve, inclusive.
Fourth: The total budget, less the shares allocated to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont, shall be apportioned among the District’s six remaining member towns on the basis of each member town’s five-year average student enrollment share. For purposes of this calculation, average enrollment share, for each of the pre-K-12 Member Towns shall be based on its five year average proportionate share of total student enrollment in the district schools (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016).
(I) Times of Payment of Apportioned Costs
Each member town shall pay to the District in each fiscal year its proportionate share, certified as provided in subsection VI(B), of the capital and operating costs. Except as otherwise provided in subsection VI(A), the annual share of each member town shall be paid in such amounts and at such times that at least the following percentages of such annual share shall be paid on or before the dates indicated, respectively:
August 1 16.25%
October 1 36.25%
December 1 50.00%
February 1 67.50%
April 1 87.50%
May 1 100.00%
(J) Special Funds
The District School Committee shall not interfere with a town’s or Local Education Council’s use of trust funds or other special funds, including separate town meeting articles, intended for the enhancement of the educational opportunities for that town’s pupils at the pre-K-6 grades only. The operations budget shall not be reduced by the receipt of such funds.
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and replacing said language of Section IV with the following Subsections (A) through (I), as re-lettered so as to combine existing Subsections (G) and (H) and re-letter the following sections as (H) and (I):
(A) Classification of Costs
For the purpose of apportioning assessments to the member towns, costs shall be divided into two categories: capital costs and operating costs.
(B) Capital Costs
Capital Costs to be assessed to towns (hereafter “Capital Costs”) shall include all expenses in the nature of capital outlay such as the cost of:
(1) acquiring land, constructing, reconstructing and adding to or remodeling buildings, including without limitations the cost of the original equipment and furnishings for such buildings or additions, plans, architects’ and consultants’ fees, grading and other costs incidental to placing school buildings and additions and related premises in operating condition;
(2) maintaining, or making substantial repairs to, an existing school building or buildings;
(3) purchasing buses and/or other necessary vehicles for District school use.
Capital Costs shall also include payments of principal and interest on bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the District to finance Capital Costs. Capital Costs represented by debt service shall be apportioned as a Capital Cost of the year in which the debt service falls due. Each member town’s percentage share of debt service, calculated to the nearest one hundredth of one percent at the time such debt is issued, will remain in effect for the term of the debt for each capital project.
Capital expenditures which qualify under net school spending are not included under Capital Costs, and instead are included as an operating cost.
(C) Operating Costs
Operating costs shall include all costs not included in Capital Costs as defined in Section IV(B), above, but including transportation costs (as per Section VIII of this Agreement) and interest on temporary notes issued by the District in anticipation of revenue.
(D) Responsibility for Capital and Operating Costs
(1) Grades 7-12
Operating costs and Capital Costs, as defined above, associated with grades seven to twelve (7-12), inclusive, of the District school or schools shall be deemed District costs and the member towns shall be assessed their respective shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of Sections IV (F) and (G) of this Agreement.
(2) Grades pre-K-6
- Costs associated with the operation of grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District schools shall be deemed operating costs of the District and the member towns shall be assessed their respective shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section IV (G) of this Agreement.
- Capital Costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District schools shall be deemed Capital Costs of the District and shall be assessed to member towns based on their respective shares thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section IV (E) of this Agreement.
(E) Apportionment of Capital Costs Grades pre-K-6
(1) Capital Costs assessed to member towns prior to July 1, 2024 shall be assessed under Section IV (E) of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Regional Agreement adopted by member Towns May-June 2018 and approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on August 1, 2018, with amendments approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, October 25, 2022 (referred to hereafter as the “Prior Capital Assessment Grades pre-K to 6”). Capital Costs assessed to towns after July 1, 2024, shall be assessed to the member towns as described below in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section (E) (1), (referred to hereafter as “the New Capital Assessment Calculation – pre-K to 6”), subject to the Transition Period as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Section (E), below. Such assessments shall be made on the basis of each town’s proportionate share of District foundation enrollment for Grades pre-K to 6. District foundation enrollment, as defined in M.G.L. c. 70, Section 2, is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as of October 1 of each year.
(a) Ashfield, Plainfield
Capital Costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving pupils from the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield shall be apportioned to the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield as follows:
To Ashfield: A portion of the all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the population of the Town of Ashfield bears to the total of the population of the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, and by (2) computing the ratio which the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Ashfield for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield for the five most recent years; and (3) by summing both ratios ((1) + (2)) and dividing such sum by two.
To Plainfield: A portion of the all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the population of the Town of Plainfield bears to the total of the population of the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield, and by (2) computing the ratio which the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Plainfield for the five most recent years, bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Ashfield and Plainfield for the five most recent years; and (3) by summing both ratios ((1) + (2)) and dividing such sum by two.
(b) Buckland, Shelburne
Capital Costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving the pupils from the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne shall be apportioned to the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne as follows:
To Buckland: A portion of the total of all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Buckland for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne for the five most recent years, and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage.
To Shelburne: A portion of the total of all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Shelburne for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Buckland and Shelburne for the five most recent years, and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage.
(c) Colrain, Heath
Capital Costs incurred by the Committee and associated with grades pre-Kindergarten to six, inclusive, of the District school or schools serving the pupils from the Towns of Colrain and Heath shall be apportioned to the Towns of Colrain and Heath as follows:
To Colrain: A portion of the total of all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the sum of District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Colrain for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Colrain and Heath for the five most recent years, and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage. Until five years of data for both towns becomes available, the most recent years of data shall be used to determine said ratio.
To Heath: A portion of the total of all such Capital Costs expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one per-cent calculated as follows: by (1) computing the ratio which the sum of District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollment of pupils resident in the Town of Heath for the five most recent years bears to the sum of the District’s pre-K-6 foundation enrollments of pupils resident in the Towns of Colrain and Heath for the five most recent years, and by (2) expressing such ratio as a percentage. Until five years of data for both towns becomes available, the most recent years of data shall be used to determine said ratio.
The Town of Colrain shall retain sole responsibility for all Capital Costs for which bonds were issued prior to November 2022.
(2) Nothing in this Paragraph (E) shall be construed to prevent the member towns from amending this Agreement in accordance with Section XI in order to modify and/or alter the above designated schedules of apportionment of Capital Costs in the event subsequent school construction or reconstruction results in a change of grade level or town assignments to the District schools.
(3) Transition Period
The transition to the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 shall take place over a period of five (5) years, beginning July 1, 2024 (for Fiscal Year 2025) and ending on June 30, 2029.
(a) For Fiscal Year 2025 (commencing July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025), determination of the most recent year’s enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E), and the four years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6.
(b) For Fiscal Year 2026 (commencing July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026), determination of the most recent two years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E), and the three years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6.
(c) For Fiscal Year 2027 (commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027), determination of the most recent three years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E), and the two years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6.
(d) For Fiscal Year 2028 (commencing July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2028), determination of the most recent four years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E), and the one year prior enrollment shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6.
(e) For Fiscal Year 2029 (commencing July 1, 2028) and all subsequent years, determination of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades pre-K to 6 as described in this Section IV (E).
(F) Apportionment of Capital Costs Grades 7-12
(1) Capital Costs assessed to member towns prior to July 1, 2024 shall be assessed under Section IV (F) of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Regional Agreement adopted by member Towns May-June 2018 and approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on August 1, 2018, with amendments approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, October 25, 2022 (referred to hereafter as “the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12”). Capital Costs assessed to towns after July 1, 2024, shall be assessed to the member towns as described below in paragraph (2) of this Section (F) (referred to hereafter as “the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12”), subject to the Transition Period as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Section (F), below. Such assessments shall be made on the basis of each town’s proportionate share of District foundation enrollment for Grades 7-12. District foundation enrollment, as defined in M.G.L. c. 70, Section 2, is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as of October 1 of each year.
(2) Each member town’s share of Capital Costs associated with the District Middle School/High School as well as District-Wide Capital Costs shall be apportioned to the member towns on the basis of said town’s share of the District’s foundation enrollment for Grades 7-12. Each member town’s share shall be determined by computing the ratio which Grade 7-12 students who reside in each town and are included in the District’s foundation enrollment for each of the most recent five years bears to the District’s total foundation enrollment for Grades 7-12 for the same five-year period, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent.
(3) Transition Period
The transition to the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 shall take place over a period of five (5) years, beginning July 1, 2024 (for Fiscal Year 2025) and ending on June 30, 2029.
(a) For Fiscal Year 2025 (commencing July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025), determination of the most recent year’s enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F), and the four years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12).
(b) For Fiscal Year 2026 (commencing July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026), determination of the most recent two years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F), and the three years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12).
(c) For Fiscal Year 2027 (commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027), determination of the most recent three years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F), and the two years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12).
(d) For Fiscal Year 2028 (commencing July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2028), determination of the most recent four years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F), and the one year prior enrollment shall be calculated using the Prior Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12).
(e) For Fiscal Year 2029 (commencing July 1, 2028) and all subsequent years, determination of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis the New Capital Assessment Calculation – Grades 7-12 as described in this Section IV (F).
(G) Apportionment of Operating Costs
Each member town will contribute to the District no less than its minimum required local contribution as determined by the Commissioner pursuant to M.G.L. c. 70, Section 6. Any amounts in excess of the minimum required local contribution needed to support the District's budget will be assessed to the member towns in accordance with this Section IV (G.)
(1) Operating Costs assessed to member towns prior to July 1, 2024 will be assessed under Sections IV (G) and IV (H) of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Regional Agreement adopted by MTRSD Towns May-June 2018 and approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on August 1, 2018, with amendments approved by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, October 25, 2022 (referred to hereafter as “the Prior Operating Assessment Calculation”).
(2) Operating Costs assessed to member towns after July 1, 2024, shall be assessed as described in paragraphs (a) through (d), below, (referred to hereafter as “the New Operating Assessment Calculation”), subject to the Transition Period as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Section IV (G). Such assessments shall be made on the basis of each town’s proportionate share of District foundation enrollment. District foundation enrollment, as defined in M.G.L. c. 70, Section 2, is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as of October 1 of each year.
(a) First, the Committee shall determine the proportion of the annual budget representing costs associated with the provision of services to grades seven through twelve and the proportion representing costs associated with all Central Office and District-Wide services, including such services to grades pre-kindergarten through six.
(b) Second, the Committee shall determine the average District foundation enrollment share of each member town in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. For this purpose, each member town’s share shall be determined by computing the ratio which Grade 7-12 students who reside in each town and are included in the District’s foundation enrollment for each of the most recent five years bears to the District’s total foundation enrollment for Grades 7-12 for the same five-year period, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent.
(c) Third, the Committee shall apportion the costs of grades seven through twelve, inclusive, to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont in direct proportion to each town’s five-year average share of District foundation enrollment in grades seven through twelve, inclusive.
(d) Fourth, the total amount in excess of the aggregate minimum required local contributions, less the shares allocated to the Towns of Hawley and Charlemont, shall be apportioned among the District’s six remaining member towns on the basis of each member town’s five-year average District foundation enrollment share. For purposes of this calculation, average District foundation enrollment share for each of the pre-K-12 Member Towns shall be based on its five-year average proportionate share of total District foundation enrollment.
(3) Transition Period
The transition to the New Operating Assessment Calculation shall take place over a period of five (5) years, beginning July 1, 2024 (for Fiscal Year 2025) and ending on June 30, 2029.
(a) For Fiscal Year 2025 (commencing July 1, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2025), determination of the most recent year’s enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G), and the four years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the “Prior Operating Assessment Calculation”).
(b) For Fiscal Year 2026 (commencing July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2026), determination of the most recent two years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G), and the three years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Operating Assessment Calculation.
(c) For Fiscal Year 2027 (commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027), determination of the most recent three years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G), and the two years prior enrollments shall be calculated using the Prior Operating Assessment Calculation.
(d) For Fiscal Year 2028 (commencing July 1, 2027 and ending June 30, 2028), determination of the most recent four years of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G), and the one year prior enrollment shall be calculated using the Prior Operating Assessment Calculation.
(e) For Fiscal Year 2029 (commencing July 1, 2028) and all subsequent years, determination of enrollment shall be calculated on the basis of the New Operating Assessment Calculation as described in this Section IV (G).
(H) Times of Payment of Apportioned Costs
Each member town shall pay to the District in each fiscal year its proportionate share, certified as provided in subsection VI(B), of the capital and operating costs. Except as otherwise provided in subsection VI(A), the annual share of each member town shall be paid in such amounts and at such times that at least the following percentages of such annual share shall be paid on or before the dates indicated, respectively:
August 1 16.25%
October 1 36.25%
December 1 50.00%
February 1 67.50%
April 1 87.50%
May 1 100.00%
(I) Special Funds
The District School Committee shall not interfere with a town’s or Local Education Council’s use of trust funds or other special funds, including separate town meeting articles, intended for the enhancement of the educational opportunities for that town’s pupils at the pre-K-6 grades only. The operations budget shall not be reduced by the receipt of such funds.
ARTICLE #29. To see if the Town will vote to amend the MOHAWK TRAIL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – REGIONAL DISTRICT AGREEMENT by striking the following language contained in Section VI – Budget:
(A) Tentative Maintenance and Operating Budget
On or before February 8th, the Committee shall annually prepare a tentative maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year, including therein provision for any installment of principal or interest to become due in such year on any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness of the District and any other capital costs to be apportioned to the member towns in such year. The said budget shall be in reasonable detail, including the amounts payable under the following classifications of expenses and such other classifications as may be necessary:
1. Administration
2. Instruction
3. Other School Services
4. Operation and Maintenance of Plant
5. Fixed Charges
6. Community Services
7. Acquisition of Fixed Assets
8. Debt Retirement and Debt Service
9. Programs with Other Districts and Private Schools
10. Transportation
Copies of such tentative budget shall be mailed to the chairperson of the board of selectmen and finance committee of such town.
(B) Final Maintenance and Operating Budget
The Committee shall on or before March 1 in each year adopt an annual maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year, said budget to include debt and interest charges and any other current capital costs as separate items, and shall apportion the amounts necessary to be raised in order to meet the said budget in accordance with the provisions of subsections IV(E) and IV(F) and with the provisions of sub-section IV(G), provided however, that the Committee shall adopt said annual maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year not later than forty-five days prior to the earliest date on which the business session of the annual town meeting of any member town is to be held, but not later than March 1, and further provided that said annual maintenance and operating budget need not be adopted prior to January 18. The amounts so apportioned for each member town shall, within twenty days from the date on which the annual budget is adopted by the regional school district committee, and not later than March 10, be certified by the District treasurer to the treasurers of the member towns.
(C) High School Operating and Maintenance Budget for the purpose of Determining Tuition
For the purposes of determining tuition, the High School Operating and Maintenance Budget is defined as that portion of the budget relating to expenditures for high school level pupils in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. Budget lines for shared high school and elementary school costs, including but not limited to Administration and Transportation, shall be apportioned by computing the ratio which the grades 7-12 average pupil enrollment in the regional district on October 1 of each of the five years next preceding the year for which the apportionment is determined bears to the total average pupil enrollment from all member towns in the Regional School District for the same five year period (note: pre-K enrollment will be included in the calculation beginning in FY18 and will include the data from October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016). The High School Operating and Maintenance Budget shall not include any cost for capital debt retirement or debt service.
(D) Vote on the Annual Budget
For purposes of voting on the annual budget by the member towns, the approval of the District’s annual budget by the town meetings of each pre-K-12 Member Town shall constitute two “units” towards approval or disapproval of the annual District budget, while Hawley and Charlemont shall have one “unit” each, with a total of ten units needed to approve the annual budget.
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(A) Tentative Maintenance and Operating Budget
On or before February 15th, the Committee shall annually prepare a tentative maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year, including therein provision for any installment of principal or interest to become due in such year on any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness of the District and any other capital costs to be apportioned to the member towns in such year. The said budget shall be in reasonable detail, including the amounts payable under the following classifications of expenses and such other classifications as may be necessary:
1. Administration
2. Instruction
3. Other School Services
4. Operation and Maintenance of Plant
5. Fixed Charges
6. Community Services
7. Acquisition of Fixed Assets
8. Debt Retirement and Debt Service
9. Programs with Other Districts and Private Schools
10. Transportation
Copies of such tentative budget shall be delivered via mail or email to the chairperson of the board of selectmen and finance committee of each member town.
(B) Final Maintenance and Operating Budget
The Committee shall on or before March 1 in each year adopt by a two-thirds vote of the full Committee an annual maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year, said budget to include debt and interest charges and any other current capital costs as separate items, and shall apportion the amounts necessary to be raised in order to meet the said budget in accordance with the provisions of subsections IV(E) and IV(F) and with the provisions of sub-section IV(G), provided however, that the Committee shall adopt said annual maintenance and operating budget for the next fiscal year not later than forty-five days prior to the earliest date on which the business session of the annual town meeting of any member town is to be held, but not later than March 1, and further provided that said annual maintenance and operating budget need not be adopted prior to January 18. The amounts so apportioned for each member town shall, within thirty days from the date on which the annual budget is adopted by the regional school district committee, and not later than March 31, be certified by the District treasurer to the treasurers of the member towns.
(C) High School Operating and Maintenance Budget for the purpose of Determining Tuition
For the purposes of determining tuition, the High School Operating and Maintenance Budget is defined as that portion of the budget relating to expenditures for high school level pupils in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. Budget lines for shared high school and elementary school costs, including but not limited to Administration and Transportation, shall be apportioned by computing the ratio which Grade 7-12 students who reside in member towns and are included in the District’s foundation enrollment for each of the most recent five years bears to the District’s total foundation enrollment for Grades Pre-K to 12 for the same five-year period, expressed as a percentage of the total to the nearest one-hundredth of one percent. The High School Operating and Maintenance Budget shall not include any cost for capital debt retirement or debt service.
(D) Vote on the Annual Budget
Consistent with Chapter 31 of the Acts of 2017, for purposes of voting on the annual budget by the member towns, the approval of the District’s annual budget by the town meetings of each pre-K-12 Member Town shall constitute two “units” towards approval or disapproval of the annual District budget, while Hawley and Charlemont shall have one “unit” each, with a total of ten units needed to approve the annual budget.
ARTICLE #30. To see if the Town will vote to amend the MOHAWK TRAIL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT – REGIONAL DISTRICT AGREEMENT by striking the following language contained in Section XV Effective Date:
This amended Agreement shall take full effect in accordance with its terms on July 1, 2018 and shall supersede the prior District Agreement, including any prior amendments.
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This amended Agreement shall take full effect in accordance with its terms, following approval by all member towns and by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, on July 1, 2023, and shall supersede the prior District Agreement, including any prior amendments. Nothing in this amended Agreement shall affect the apportionment of assessments to member towns prior to Fiscal Year 2025.
ARTICLE #31. (By petition) To see if the Town of Colrain will vote to approve the following resolution:
Whereas the Town of Colrain has spent time and money improving the town center with new sidewalks, curb ramps and crosswalks, a redesigned intersection and Veterans’ Memorial along Main Road and Jacksonville Road, and
Whereas, during the winter months, snow on the sidewalks has made their use by pedestrians difficult or impossible forcing them to walk in the road, and
Whereas, because of the State’s requirements for school transportation reimbursement, the MTRSD Student Transportation Policy holds that students residing within one and one-half miles of the school will not be provided school bus service, and
Whereas in the event of an emergency the evacuation route for the Colrain Central School would have students and staff walk in large numbers along these roads and
Whereas, we wish to be proactive in our approach to public safety and keep pedestrians safe on these dangerous sections of road, and
Whereas these sidewalks are on a patchwork of privately owned and town owned properties between the school, town owned parking spaces, the town garage where meetings are sometimes held, the veteran’s memorial, the Historical Society buildings at the G. William Pitt House, the Griswold Memorial Library, and the Post Office, and
Whereas, we do not wish to burden private property owners, many of whom are elderly, with the responsibility of clearing snow from sidewalks that were installed by the town,
Whereas according to ADA/Section 504, “A public agency must maintain its walkways in an accessible condition, with only isolated or temporary interruptions in accessibility. 28 CFR sec. 35.133. Part of this maintenance obligation includes reasonable snow removal efforts. (9-12-06)”
Whereas according to a 2008 memo, the Federal Highway Administration noted a requirement to clear sidewalks that were built with federal funds. “Current maintenance provisions require pedestrian facilities built with Federal funds to be maintained in the same manner as other roadway assets.”
Now be it hereby resolved that the Colrain Highway Dept. will regularly ensure sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb ramps, spanning from the school to the post office, including the East side of Jacksonvile Road, are clear of snow and debris, maintaining them in the same manner as roadways.
ARTICLE #32. (By petition) To see if the Town of Colrain will vote to direct the Selectboard to authorize by vote that the Town Website, http://Colrain-MA.gov be the official posting site for all Colrain Public Meeting notices and to have the Town Clerk notify the Attorney General of this change. The transition from posting to the Town Office bulletin board to the Website shall be completed within six months of an affirmative vote on this Article or to do or act anything in relation thereto.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at two usual places in said town, seven days at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting, as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this ninth day of May two thousand twenty-three.
___________________________________
W. Thomas Griffin
__________________________________
Benjamin Eastman
__________________________________
Emily Thurber
Colrain Select Board
A TRUE COPY.
Attest: _________________________
Constable
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, May 10, 2023
Updated: Wed, May 10, 2023
The loader backhoe approved for purchase at the FY 23 ATM was delivered this week. It will prove to be a valuable tool.
Posted: to General Town News on Sat, Apr 29, 2023
Updated: Sat, Apr 29, 2023
Newly Certified Massachusetts Municipal Collector.
Massachusetts Collectors & Treasurers Association
Beth Whitman - Executive Director
44 Bearfoot Road Suite 385
Northborough, MA 01532
Phone: (978) 952-6644
E-mail: mctaed@gmail.com
www.masscta.com
April 11, 2023
Dear Paula,
I am pleased to advise you that you have successfully passed your examination. In conjunction with meeting the other requirements, you now have the designation as a Certified Massachusetts Municipal Collector. We will mail the certificate to you.
As a new Certified Municipal Treasurer, you have the opportunity to become more involved within the MCTA community. You are now able to join a committee such as the Education or Legislative Committee, become a mentor, co-teach at our Annual School, or volunteer at our conferences.
Congratulations on your achievement and best wishes in your career!
Sincerely,
Beth Whitman
Beth Whitman
Executive Director
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Apr 11, 2023
Updated: Tue, Apr 11, 2023
A new broadband network for Colrain, Charlemont, Heath, Leyden and Rowe that improves the resiliency of internet access.
From the Greenfield Recorder March 28, 2023
A new broadband network for Colrain, Charlemont, Heath, Leyden and Rowe that prevents major outages and improves the resiliency of internet access will be completed by June 30.
The system creates three backhauls and a 10-gigabyte circuit connection shared between the towns: one in Rowe, one in Charlemont and one in Leyden. The project also increases redundancy to prevent internet outages caused by downed utility poles, fires or other natural disasters. Jack Golden, broadband manager in Leyden, described the broadband as a water pipe and the backhaul as the water that runs through those pipes.
“All the towns in western Mass. basically had one route that the backhaul was traveling through,” said Golden. “In a storm when a tree could come down, it could take out the fiber line and the town wouldn’t have broadband.”
“This work both improves our network resiliency, provides more capacity for growth and reduces the cost for all five towns,” said Charlemont Broadband Committee Chair Bob Handsaker.
Colrain received a $400,000 grant from the Community Compact Cabinet Municipal Fiber Grant program in July 2022 to pay for the new redundant broadband network. The grant was the second largest awarded from this program.
Currently, all five towns have their own separate broadband networks without redundancy. Each town is also connected to the state Middle Mile Network, an internet system that extends through all of central and western Massachusetts. Operated by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), the Middle Mile Network connects municipal fiber networks to telecommunication services and the internet. However, if one accident impacts the Middle Mile Network, one or more towns could lose service.
“One way in and one way out doesn’t work,” Colrain Selectboard member Michael Slowinski said. “If a tree falls down, it puts an entire town out of the business.”
The new broadband system uses a redundancy network that offers multiple lines for data and information to travel through. If one connection goes down, the network will stay intact.
“So if something happens on Route 2, we can get our feed from Rowe or the MBI line coming in from Leyden,” Slowinski said.
The towns will have three different routes. One starts in Rowe and goes through Heath and Charlemont to Colrain and then Leyden. Another starts in Charlemont, heads to Rowe, Heath and Colrain, and ends in Leyden. The third route starts in Leyden and goes to Colrain, then Heath, Charlemont and Rowe.
This would mean, for example, that Leyden would still have internet if a line in town gets taken out, because the internet would still be accessible from the route through Colrain, according to Golden.
Backhaul connections link local wired networks to the core wireless networks, such as area cell towers. Verizon and AccessPlus supply the backhaul connection to Charlemont. Crown Castle administers the backhaul to Rowe. The backhaul provided to Leyden is unknown until MBI assigns the new network operator for the state Middle Mile Network. Handsaker said each town will see instant savings on the internet with the new system.
“That is just great news for a small town like Leyden because we are really trying to make broadband affordable for our residents [and] our customers. ... We’re trying to save money to go ahead and replace equipment every seven years, and there’s a lot of pressure on us to keep our prices as affordable as possible,” said Golden.
For the first few years of broadband, Leyden taxpayers have been paying a certain amount of money toward a $1.2 million loan for the town’s broadband network. Golden said because of this, he wants to keep monthly bills low.
Leyden originally had 1 gigabyte of service per month for a primary and secondary line, which cost the town about $2,100, Golden said. With this new agreement, Leyden will have a primary, secondary and tertiary line, which costs roughly $1,200 a month.
“The 10-gigabyte share will go a long way in helping to pay down the loan,” said Golden.
Colrain accounts for 35% of the internet usage, Charlemont gets 25%, Heath has 20%, and Leyden and Rowe both use 10%. The Municipal Light Plant managers of each town, as well as Charlemont’s Broadband Committee, broke up the internet usage proportion for each town based on population. Towns pay a prorated cost based on how much of each connection they share.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Mar 28, 2023
Updated: Tue, Mar 28, 2023
You may have noticed new railings at the transfer station. Funding was obtained through the MIIA (Town’s Insurance Carrier) Risk Management Program.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Mar 27, 2023
Updated: Mon, Mar 27, 2023
The closing date for the Fiscal Year 25 ATM Warrant is April 12 at 4:00PM.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Mar 22, 2023
Updated: Thu, Mar 7, 2024
NEW TOWN PROGRAM WILL HELP COLRAIN
RESIDENTS SAVE ON ELECTRICITY
Green energy option will help reduce carbon emissions
COLRAIN, MA – The Town of Colrain is implementing an exciting new program that combines the purchasing power of area residents and small businesses to provide an electricity plan focused on lower and more stable pricing as well as the ability to use more renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions.
The Colrain Community Choice Power Supply Program will save local ratepayers nearly $200,000 over the 41-month contract term signed with municipal electricity aggregation consultant Colonial Power Group and electricity supplier Dynegy Energy Services. The combined monthly savings for Colrain ratepayers will be nearly $5,500 beginning with their September 2020 bills.
In response to the climate change crisis, Colrain is also stepping up its efforts to protect the environment by including an electricity program option that uses 100% renewable wind power. Those interested in using this higher level of green energy will be asked to “opt-in” by signing up for the program.
The standard electricity plan being provided by Colrain Community Choice Power Supply Program is “opt-out,” which means all ratepayers currently on Eversource’s Basic Service plan will be enrolled unless they request otherwise. Residents and business owners can opt-in and opt-out of Colrain’s program at any time with no fees or penalties. Some competitive electric suppliers, who send marketers to residents’ doors and make telemarketing calls, often charge hefty cancellation fees and typically charge higher rates.
Colrain joined with 11 other Franklin County communities and the Town of Huntington to seek electricity bids, thereby harnessing the power of bulk purchasing. While the communities have the same supplier and contract term, each town has products tailored to their individual needs. This effort will result in Colrain ratepayers saving an overall 11% on their electric bills during the contract term.
“We are excited to bring this program to Colrain’s residents and small business owners, particularly given the current economic conditions,” said Town Coordinator Kevin Fox. “It is gratifying to know that this program will help residents reduce costs without impacting services.”
The Colrain Community Choice Power Supply Program is a municipal aggregation program which, in accordance with Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 164, § 134), enables local government to combine the purchasing power of its residents and businesses so that it can provide them with a town-evaluated alternative electricity supply. The program will commence with the August 2020 meter reads.
Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the program against Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.
Ratepayers will experience no change in their service. There will be no interruption in billing, power, or customer service. The name of Dynegy Energy Services, the selected electricity supplier for the Community Choice Program, will be printed under “Supplier Services” on Eversource’s monthly bills. Ratepayers will continue to receive one bill and send payments to Eversource.
Please note that any ratepayers who have placed a supplier block on their electricity account must call their utility company to request that the block be removed to be enrolled in this program.
Also note, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
Residents may visit www.colonialpowergroup.com/colrain or call (866) 485-5858 ext. 1 to learn more about Colrain’s Community Choice Power Supply Program.
ABOUT COLONIAL POWER GROUP: Based in Marlborough, Mass., Colonial Power Group is the leading aggregation-consulting firm in Massachusetts. Colonial Power has been working with local governments since 2002 in the design, implementation and management of municipal aggregation programs.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Dec 5, 2022
Updated: Thu, Jun 29, 2023
Public Announcement
Re-Posting of a Previously Posted Item from 2020
|
With the Eversource Basic Service Pricing about to drastically increase we would like to remind all residents of the option to participate in the Towns Electricity Aggregation Program which will be priced at 9.345 cents/Kwh through January of 2024 compare this to the Eversource Basic Service rate of 21.864 cents/Kwh beginning in January of 2023 and continuing through June 2023. The Aggregation rate offers a discount of 12.519 cents/Kwh! See Program information below:
|
THE TOWN OF COLRAIN’S
COMMUNITY CHOICE POWER SUPPLY PROGRAM
CONSUMER NOTIFICATION
The Town of Colrain is pleased to announce that Dynegy Energy Services (“Dynegy”) has been selected as the supplier for its Community Choice Power Supply Program (“Program”). Dynegy will provide electric power supply for all consumers currently on Basic Service in Colrain. This notice is intended to tell you about this Program for electric power supply. In accordance with state law, it also informs you of your rights and options if you choose not to participate in the Program.
YOU WILL NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR ELECTRICITY SERVICE. The only difference you will see is that Dynegy will be printed under the “Supplier Services” section of your monthly bill (see sample below). You will continue to receive one bill from Eversource. You will continue to send your payments to Eversource for processing. Eversource will continue to respond to emergencies, read meters and maintain the distribution and transmission lines. Reliability and quality of service will remain the same. Furthermore, you will continue to have all existing consumer rights and protections.
Please see attached file for comparative rates and terms:
Program Highlights:
- TO CHOOSE A PRODUCT WITH 100% NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY you may call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696 and ask to be enrolled in Colrain’s Optional Green Product. Colrain’s Optional Green Product provides 100% National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). This product is being offered at $0.08798 per kWh for the first 5 months (August 2020 to December 2020), then changes and is being offered at $0.09331 per kWh for the remaining 36 months (January 2021 to January 2024).
- IF YOU ARE A BASIC SERVICE CONSUMER WHO HAS BEEN MAILED A NOTIFICATION you do not need to take any action to participate. You will be AUTOMATICALLY enrolled and start benefiting from the aggregation rate beginning on the day of the month in August 2020 that your meter is read. This date varies by service area. Your meter reading date is shown on your bill.
- WATCH YOUR EVERSOURCE BILL FOR FURTHER NOTIFICATION of the Program.
- Your August 2020 bill will state that you are being switched to Colrain’s Program.
- Your September 2020 bill will show Colrain’s supplier and aggregation rate under “Supplier Services”.
- IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE you must OPT-OUT by signing and returning the Opt-Out Reply Card included with the mailed notification OR visit colonialpowergroup.com/colrain, click the OPT-OUT button and follow the instructions specified OR call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696.
- IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THIS PROGRAM you may OPT-IN at colonialpowergroup.com/colrain OR call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696 and ask to be enrolled. If you are currently contracted with your own Competitive Supplier, you should confirm with them that you will not incur any early termination fees or penalties for leaving their supply.
- TO ACCESS EVERSOURCE’S BASIC SERVICE RATES please visit:
- Residential Rates – eversource.com/content/wma/residential/my-account/billing-payments/about-your-bill/rates-tariffs/basic-service-western-ma.
- Business Rates – eversource.com/content/wma/business/my-account/billing-payments/about-your-bill/rates-tariffs/basic-service-western-ma.
- Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the Program against Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.
Colonial Power Group, Inc. is an energy consulting company chosen on a competitive basis by the Town of Colrain to facilitate the Community Choice Power Supply Program. For more detailed information, call us toll-free at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Dec 5, 2022
Updated: Tue, Dec 6, 2022
From a Recent Whip-City Fiber Newsletter.
|
Colrain Signs 10-year Agreement with WCF
We are thrilled to have Colrain as the first town to take advantage of the price break for a 10-year agreement. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership with the town and all their customers. If you have any questions about this offer, please contact Brian at bsullivan@weld.org.
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Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Nov 7, 2022
Updated: Mon, Nov 7, 2022
The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced the Town is the recipient of a Massworks Grant to support the rehabilitation of Greenfield Road.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Oct 19, 2022
Updated: Wed, Oct 19, 2022
The Town is the recipient of a $100,00 grant to fund the design of a bridge replacement on Adamsville Rd. over the Sanders Brook.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Aug 11, 2022
Updated: Thu, Aug 11, 2022
On July 26, 2022 the Colrain select Board met with the Town’s Independent Auditor and voted to accept the results of the FY 21 audit.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Aug 9, 2022
Updated: Tue, Aug 9, 2022
Pre-registration required: begins in mid-August & ends September 16, 2022
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Jul 20, 2022
Updated: Wed, Jul 20, 2022
Join the conversation Friday, June 24, 2022, 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Charlemont Fairgrounds
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Jun 13, 2022
Updated: Mon, Jun 13, 2022
The Town was proud to accept a $400,000 grant award from the Municipal Fiber Grant Program at a recent award ceremony held at the Taunton City Hall.
FY2022 Municipal Fiber Grant Awards (partial list)
| Municipality |
Grant Amount |
Project Description |
| Acushnet |
$250,000 |
Creation of a new municipal fiber network |
| Amherst |
$295,925 |
Extension of the existing municipal fiber network |
| Andover |
$250,000 |
Expansion of the town's fiber network to water distribution system pumping stations |
| Bellingham |
$65,589 |
Expansion of the town's existing fiber optic infrastructure |
| Bourne |
$250,000 |
Expansion of the town's existing fiber optic infrastructure |
| Bridgewater |
$17,466 |
Expansion of the town's existing fiber optic infrastructure |
| Brockton |
$250,000 |
Replacement of the city's current municipal fiber optic network |
| Brookline |
$51,889 |
Expansion of the town's municipal airport fiber optic infrastructure |
| Canton |
$47,500 |
Expansion of the town's existing fiber optic infrastructure |
| Chelsea |
$204,250 |
Creation of a redundant municipal fiber network |
|
Colrain
|
$400,000
|
Creation of a redundant municipal fiber network for the towns of Colrain, Charlemont, Heath, Leyden and Rowe
|
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Jun 6, 2022
Updated: Mon, Jun 6, 2022
David Lyons’ headstone marked with a commemorative plaque.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, May 25, 2022
Updated: Wed, May 25, 2022
The Colrain Finance Committee has voted their recommendations regarding the proposed fiscal Year 2023 Annual Town Meeting Warrant.Warrant
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, May 25, 2022
Updated: Wed, May 25, 2022
The Annual Town Meeting Warrant has been approved and posted for the meeting scheduled for June 14th.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, May 16, 2022
Updated: Mon, May 16, 2022
Application Deadline: June 29, 2022 at 5 pm; Lottery Date: July 20, 2022
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Apr 25, 2022
Updated: Mon, Apr 25, 2022
Spring "Clean Sweep" Bulky Waste - 3 Locations
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Apr 25, 2022
Updated: Tue, Apr 26, 2022
The Select Board Has set the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Town Meeting Warrant closing date as April 29, 2022.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Mar 9, 2022
Updated: Wed, Mar 9, 2022
The Selectboard voted to rescind the mask mandate for all town-owned buildings and replace it with a mask advisory effective March 9, 2022.
The Selectboard advises that a fully vaccinated person should wear a mask or face covering when indoors if you have a weakened immune system, if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system and is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated.
If a person is not fully vaccinated, it is important that they continue to wear a mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other people.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Mar 9, 2022
Updated: Wed, Mar 9, 2022
The Colrain Select Board has schedules a STM to consider 3 articles on March 10, 2022 at the Colrain Central School at 7:00PM
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Feb 24, 2022
Updated: Fri, Feb 25, 2022
Dear friends and age-friendly champions,
The Age-Friendly Communities Initiative led by LifePath is launching a regional survey in Franklin County and the North Quabbin in collaboration with FRCOG and participating Councils on Aging and Senior Centers. Through this survey, we are trying to understand what needs to improve for our region to become a great place for people to grow older. The information collected through this process will be used to create an Age-Friendly Action Plan and to apply for grants to improve conditions for older people in our towns.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/age-friendly-survey
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Feb 14, 2022
Updated: Mon, Feb 14, 2022
Monday, February 21, 2022
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Jan 11, 2022
Updated: Mon, Feb 7, 2022
Monday, January 17, 2022
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Jan 11, 2022
Updated: Tue, Jan 11, 2022
The Colrain Select Board voted to hold the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Town Meeting on June 14, 2022 beginning at 5:30Pm.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Jan 4, 2022
Updated: Tue, Jan 4, 2022
Contact the Mary Lyon Foundation for your Newborn gift.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Dec 8, 2021
Updated: Wed, Dec 8, 2021
Thank You Clint Dodge, Johnnie Chace and Mike Slowinski!
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Nov 29, 2021
Updated: Mon, Nov 29, 2021
Apply for FREE well water testing TODAY
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Nov 3, 2021
Updated: Wed, Nov 3, 2021
FY22 Tax Rate Certified
The Town’s FY 22 Property Tax Rate has been certified by the Department of Revenue at $20.48 per thousand. This represents a $.68 decrease from the previous year.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Oct 20, 2021
Updated: Wed, Oct 20, 2021
To Provide additional clarity as the project progresses here is a synopsis and depiction of the final project.
COLRAIN- INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS @ MAIN ROAD, JACKSONVILLE ROAD (ROUTE 112) & GREENFIELD ROAD
The project proposes to reconstruct this three-legged unsignalized intersection to improve traffic flow and sight distance, and improve pedestrian accommodation in the Colrain village center. Proposed work includes reconstructing the intersection and its approaches (approx. 0.1 mile north and south, and 0.5 mile west to the town offices) and creating an accessible network of sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks to link popular village center locations. The project will include approx. 0.5 mile of new sidewalk, with landscaping and "streetscape” elements to promote pedestrian mobility in the village. As a result of a road safety audit done concurrent with project design, the project will also include other Intersection Improvements and Related Work (including Overhead Warning Signs) along a Section of Route 112 (Main/Jacksonville Roads) and Greenfield Road. Funding for this project was obtained through the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - $1,819,756 with the Town contributing approximately $350,00 of it's Chapter 90 allocation for design/engineering and right-of-way costs. The project was designed and engineered by the engineering firm of Weston and Sampson. A picture of the proposed project is attached below.
Posted: to General Town News on Fri, Sep 10, 2021
Updated: Fri, Sep 10, 2021
Pre-Registration Required by September 1st
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Aug 30, 2021
Updated: Mon, Aug 30, 2021
U.S. Postal Service acknowledges the extra effort that Catamount Country Store gave during the Covid-19 outbreak.
COLRAIN — In recognition of Catamount Country Store’s “instrumental” contribution to Colrain by staying open during the pandemic, owner Laurie Giard was presented with an unexpected thank you this week, in the form of a giant United States Postal Service Forever “Thank You” stamp and a framed placard.
(Continuing reading The Recorder article: GreenfieldRecorder_20210814_Catamount_Award.pdf)
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Aug 16, 2021
Updated: Mon, Aug 16, 2021
The Town will be holding a special election on September 7th to vote on a Debt Exclusion question
TOWN OF COLRAIN
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Special Election Warrant
FRANKLIN SS:
To either of the Constables of the Town of Colrain in the County of Franklin:
GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote on town affairs, to meet at the Colrain Town Offices located at 55 Main Rd in said town on Tuesday, the 7th day of September, next, at between 12 pm and 7pm in the evening, then and there to cast your ballot for the following question:
Question 1.
Shall the Town of Colrain be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amount required to pay the Town of Colrain’s allocable share of the bond issued by the Mohawk Trail Regional School District for repair work to the Mohawk Trail Regional Middle & High School located at 26 Ashfield Road in Buckland, Massachusetts, for the purpose of paying costs to include: replacement of the heating boiler control system; resealing of parking lots; replacement of the fire alarm control panel and related sensors; replacement of /upgrades to certain domestic hot water heaters, condenser units, heating system hot water control valves, and freeze prevention system; construction of a second means of egress from the main electrical switchgear room; installation of additional safety railings to sections of the outside bleachers; replacement of the movable gymnasium partition; and replacement of floor covering in the library; and including costs of incidental or related thereto, which purpose of the projects will materially extend the useful life of the school and preserve the asset capable of supporting the required educational program totaling $665,000?
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at two usual places in said town, seven days at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the town clerk, at the time and place of meeting, as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this 27day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty one.
Joseph Kurland
Michael Slowinski
W. Thomas Griffin
Colrain Board of Selectmen
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Aug 4, 2021
Updated: Wed, Aug 4, 2021
COLRAIN SENIORS UPCOMING EVENTS & NEWS 2021
JULY: 21, SENIOR SOCIAL TIME AT PINE HILL ORCHARDS 10:00 TO 11:30 AM. COME AND VISIT OTHER SENIORS FROM COLRAIN. COFFEE & DONUTS SERVED.
AUGUST: 12, ORDER LUNCH BOX SANDWICH CHOICE OF CORNED BEEF & SWISS CHEESE OR CHICKEN SALAD. CALL KATHY @ 624-3351 OR ELAINE @ 624-3604. *ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY 5:00 PM
AUGUST: 19, PICK UP LUNCH BOX MEAL ON FOUNDRY VILLAGE ROAD 11:30 - 12:00.
AUGUST: 25, SENIOR SOCIAL TIME AT PINE HILL ORCHARDS 10:00 TO 11:30 AM. COME AND VISIT OTHER SENIORS FROM COLRAIN. COFFEE & DONUTS SERVED.
SEPTEMBER: LUNCH SERVING COLRAIN SENIORS ONLY STARTS AT THE EAGLES IN SHELBURNE FALLS. SOCIAL TIME WITH COFFEE/CIDER & DONUTS AT 10:00, LUNCH STARTING AT 12:00. YOU MUST SIGN UP TO ATTEND.** More information on date & sign up time will appear in the August Newsletter.
SEPTEMBER 21: APPLE DAY AT PINE HILL ORCHARDS 11:00 TO 1:00. COFFEE/CIDER & DONUTS WILL BE AVAILABLE, ALONG WITH A WAGON RIDE OUT TO THE ORCHARD FOR PICK YOUR OWN 1/2 PECK OF APPLES.
LOOK FOR MORE UPCOMING EVENTS IN OUR NEXT ISSUE IN AUGUST!!
Prescription Advantage Newsletter Article – Summer 2021
(Per email from; Adam Frank, Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs)
I’m in the “donut hole”. What can I do?? If you have reached or are about to reach that gap in your Part D plan, the Commonwealth’s Prescription Advantage program can help. For individuals with an annual income less than $38,640 (single) or $52,260 (married), Prescription Advantage can lower your co-payments while in this gap. There is no premium for this state-sponsored pharmacy assistance program. Call today for more information at 1-800-243-4636. You can also learn more online at www.prescriptionadvantagema.org.
Whip City Fiber is participating in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. For eligible households, this program will provide a discount of $50.00 toward monthly broadband service (one credit per household).
A household is eligible for a monthly $50 credit if one member of the household meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers;
- Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
- Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
Once your application has been approved, you will need to contact Whip City Fiber at 413-485-1251 to activate your discount.
Some customers will also qualify for Lifeline, an additional $9.25/month applied directly to their internet or phone bill.
You may qualify automatically under federal guidelines if you already receive benefits such as SNAP, SSI, MEDICAID or other similar federal assistance programs.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Jul 14, 2021
Updated: Wed, Jul 14, 2021
The Town has received notice that it is the recipient of a $95,500 grant award through the MA Department of Fish and Game
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Jul 14, 2021
Updated: Wed, Jul 14, 2021
A Salvation Army drop box for textile recycling is located at our Transfer Station
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Jul 6, 2021
Updated: Tue, Jul 6, 2021
Interested? Please contact Kevin Fox, Town Administrator, (413) 624-6306 or bos@colrain-ma.gov
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Jun 7, 2021
Updated: Wed, Mar 9, 2022
Village Intersection Improvement Project
A project that began with a Project Needs Form submitted on 5/15/13 is soon to come to fruition!
COLRAIN- INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS @ MAIN ROAD, JACKSONVILLE ROAD (ROUTE 112) & GREENFIELD ROAD
The project proposes to reconstruct this three-legged unsignalized intersection to improve traffic flow and sight distance, and improve pedestrian accommodation in the Colrain village center. Proposed work includes reconstructing the intersection and its approaches (approx. 0.1 mile north and south, and 0.5 mile west to the town offices) and creating an accessible network of sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks to link popular village center locations. The project will include approx. 0.5 mile of new sidewalk, with landscaping and "streetscape” elements to promote pedestrian mobility in the village. As a result of a road safety audit done concurrent with project design, the project will also include other Intersection Improvements and Related Work (including Overhead Warning Signs) along a Section of Route 112 (Main/Jacksonville Roads) and Greenfield Road. Funding for this project was obtained through the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - $1,819,756 with the Town contributing approximately $350,00 of it's Chapter 90 allocation for design/engineering and right-of-way costs. The project was designed and engineered by the engineering firm of Weston and Sampson. A picture of the proposed project is attached below.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Jan 20, 2021
Updated: Wed, Jan 20, 2021
A small sampling of private wells in Colrain may qualify for PFAS analysis.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Dec 9, 2020
Updated: Wed, Dec 9, 2020
Special thanks to the members of the sub-committee who assisted in the development of this plan: Mark Thibodeau, Nick Anzuoni, Chris Lannon, Scott Sullivan,Kevin French, Bobby Slowinski, David Greenberg, Elizabeth Erikson, Mike Friedlander And Jack Cavolick with technical assistance from Kimberly Noake-McPhee from the FRCOG.
Dear Mr. Fox,
Congratulations! The Town of Colrain’s Hazard Mitigation Plan has received its formal approval from FEMA Region 1. Your copy of the Formal Approval letter and Final review Tool are attached to this email. This plan approval now enables the Town to be eligible to apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs. Your plan is good for a period of five years from the approval date in the letter.
Your hazard mitigation plan is a “living” document. Risk information and mitigation strategies found therein are applicable to other local planning, adaptation and resilience, and mitigation efforts, and should be shared for integration purposes as outlined in the plan maintenance section. In addition, this plan should be shared with your entire community through web postings, meetings, and other local conversations. Should you have any questions on the use of your plan, please contact any member of the Hazard Mitigation Unit at MEMA.
Regards,
Jeff
Jeffrey Zukowski
Hazard Mitigation Planner
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
400 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702
508-820-1422 Desk
508-820-1468 Fax
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
FEMA Region I
99 High Street, Sixth Floor
Boston, MA 02110-2132
November 30, 2020
Samantha C. Phillips, Director Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
400 Worcester Road Framingham, Massachusetts 01702-5399
Dear Director Phillips: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region I Mitigation Division has approved the Town of Colrain Hazard Mitigation Plan effective November 27, 2020 through November 26, 2025 in accordance with the planning requirements of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), as amended, the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, and Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 201. With this plan approval, the jurisdiction is eligible to apply to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for mitigation grants administered by FEMA. Requests for funding will be evaluated according to the eligibility requirements identified for each of these programs. A specific mitigation activity or project identified in this community’s plan may not meet the eligibility requirements for FEMA funding; even eligible mitigation activities or projects are not automatically approved. The plan must be updated and resubmitted to the FEMA Region I Mitigation Division for approval every five years to remain eligible for FEMA mitigation grant funding. Thank you for your continued commitment and dedication to risk reduction demonstrated by preparing and adopting a strategy for reducing future disaster losses. Should you have any questions, please contact Melissa Surette at (617) 956-7559 or Melissa.Surette@fema.dhs.gov. Sincerely, Captain W. Russ Webster, USCG (Ret.), CEM Regional Administrator FEMA Region I WRW:ms
cc: Sarah White, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, MEMA
Jeffrey Zukowski,
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Dec 2, 2020
Updated: Wed, Dec 2, 2020
THE TOWN OF COLRAIN'S
COMMUNITY CHOICE POWER SUPPLY PROGRAM
RATE INCREASE NOTIFICATION
IMPORTANT UPDATE: As the result of a change in law, the Town of Colrain's previously published aggregation rates
effective with the January 2021 meter reads will increase by $0.00102 per kWh. This applies to both the Standard Product
(increasing from $0.09243 per kWh to $0.09345 per kWh) and the Optional Green Product (increasing from $0.09331 per
kWh to $0.09433 per kWh). The new rates will be fixed through the remainder of the term, ending January 2024.
WHAT IS A CHANGE IN LAW AND HOW CAN IT RESULT IN A RATE INCREASE? A change in law is a regulatory event that
results in a direct, material increase in costs during the term of an electric power supply contract. In July 2020, the
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection finalized the Clean Energy Standard Expansion (CES-E), which
requires retail suppliers to annually demonstrate the use of clean energy to generate a specified percentage of their
electricity sales. This expanded purchase obligation resulted in unexpected supplier costs, which in turn resulted in a rate
increase effective with the January 2021 meter reads. [For more information on the Massachusetts Clean Energy Standard,
please visit mass.gov/guides/clean-energy-standard-310-cmr-775].
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE RATE INCREASE? Given average usage of 600 kWh per month, the new aggregation rates
represent an increase of $0.61 per month versus the previously published rates for both the Standard Product and the
Optional Green Product. [For a per kWh comparison against Eversource's Basic Service rates effective January 1, 2021,
please see the NEW RATES AND TERMS chart below.]
For questions about the rate increase or your options, please call Colonial Power Group at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.
The Town of Colrain is pleased to announce that Dynegy Energy Services ("Dynegy") has been selected as the supplier for
its Community Choice Power Supply Program ("Program"). Dynegy will provide electric power supply for all consumers
participating in Colrain's Program. This notice is intended to tell you about this Program for electric power supply. In
accordance with state law, it also informs you of your rights and options if you choose not to participate in the Program.
YOU WILL NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR ELECTRICITY SERVICE. You will see Dynegy printed under the "Supplier
Services" section of your monthly bill. You will continue to receive one bill from Eversource. You will continue to send your
payments to Eversource for processing. Eversource will continue to respond to emergencies, read meters and maintain the
distribution and transmission lines. Reliability and quality of service will remain the same. Furthermore, you will continue to
have all existing consumer rights and protections.
NEW RATES AND TERMS
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Colrain's Program*
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Eversource
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(Supplier Services Only)
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(Supplier Services Only)
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STANDARD
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OPTIONAL
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BASIC SERVICE
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Rate
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Residential
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$0.09345 per kWh
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$0.09433 per kWh
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$0.10795 per kWh
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Small C&I
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$0.09345 per kWh
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$0.09433 per kWh
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$0.10067 per kWh
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Medium & Large C&I
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$0.09345 per kWh
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$0.09433 per kWh
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$0.10548 per kWh
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Streetlight
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$0.09345 per kWh
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$0.09433 per kWh
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$0.07341 per kWh
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Renewable Energy
Content
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Meets Massachusetts
renewable energy
requirements
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100% National Wind
Renewable Energy
Certificates (RECs)
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Meets Massachusetts renewable
energy requirements
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Duration
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January 2021
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- January 2024
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January 1, 2021 - June 30, 2021
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[Rates apply to service beginning and
ending on the days of the month that your
meter is read in your service area.]
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[Residential, Small C&I and Streetlight rates
change every 6 months. Medium & Large
C&I rate changes every 3 months.]
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Exit Terms
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NO CHARGE
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May receive a reconciliation charge or credit
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[Large C&I only]
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*Rate includes Consultant Fee of $0.001 per kWh to facilitate Colrain's Community Choice Power Supply Program.
*Rate may increase as a result of a change in law that results in a direct, material increase in costs during the term of the contract.
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PARTICIPATING CONSUMERS will start benefiting from the aggregation rate beginning on the day of the month in January
2021 that their meter is read. This date varies by service area. Your meter reading date is shown on your bill.
IF YOU ARE A BASIC SERVICE CONSUMER WHO HAS BEEN MAILED A NOTIFICATION you do not need to take any action to
participate. You will be automatically enrolled. If you do not wish to participate, please follow the instructions specified.
OPTIONAL GREEN PRODUCT - You may OPT-IN to the 100% National Wind RECs product at any time by visiting
colonialpowergroup.com/colrain or calling Dynegy at (866) 220-5696 and asking to be enrolled.
BUDGET PLAN OR ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME RATE CONSUMERS will continue to receive those benefits from Eversource.
SOLAR PANEL AND COMMUNITY SOLAR CONSUMERS will continue to receive net metering or on-bill credits while
receiving electricity supply under the Program and the value of these credits will not be altered by participating in the
Program.
ANY APPLICABLE TAXES WILL BE BILLED as part of the Program's power supply charge. You will be responsible for
identifying and requesting an exemption from the collection of taxes by providing appropriate documentation.
TAX EXEMPT SMALL BUSINESS CONSUMERS must send, email or fax a copy of their Energy Exemption Certificate directly
to Dynegy Energy Services Attn: Customer Care at P.O. Box 650764, Dallas, TX 75265 or Salestax geotax@vistraenergy.com
(email) or (866) 257-1795 (fax) in order to maintain their tax exempt status.
IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THIS PROGRAM you may OPT-IN at colonialpowergroup.com/colrain OR call Dynegy at (866) 220-
5696 and ask to be enrolled. If you are currently contracted with your own Competitive Supplier, you should confirm with
them that you will not incur any early termination fees or penalties for leaving their supply.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE you must OPT-OUT at colonialpowergroup.com/colrain, click the OPT-OUT button
and follow the instructions specified OR call Dynegy at (866) 220-5696.
TO ACCESS EVERSOURCE'S BASIC SERVICE RATES pl ease visit:
Basic Service rates change twice a year or more, depending on rate class. As a result, the aggregation rate may not always
be lower than the Basic Service rate. The goal of the aggregation is to deliver savings over the life of the Program against
Eversource Basic Service. However, such savings and future savings cannot be guaranteed.
Colonial Power Group, Inc. is an energy consulting company chosen on a competitive basis by the Town of Colrain to facilitate the
Community Choice Power Supply Program. For more detailed information, call us toll-free at (866) 485-5858 ext. 1.
Here are the PDFs of the above information Colrain Rate Increase Public Notice and the public notice that will run Thursday, 11/20, Recorder CIL Ad 11-20-2020.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Nov 18, 2020
Updated: Wed, Nov 18, 2020
The Select Board is pleased to announce that the Town’s OPEB plan is "effectively fully funded."
The Town of Colrain Fully Funds its OPEB Liability
The Colrain Select Board is pleased to announce that, based on a recently completed OPEB Valuation Report prepared by Odyssey Advisors, the Town’s OPEB plan is “effectively fully funded”.*
What is OPEB?
Other Postemployment Benefits (“OPEB”) refers to benefits, other than pension, offered to employees after they leave employment. The most common benefits are medical, dental, and life insurance.
How many towns are funding their liability?
As of January 1, 2019, a survey of Odyssey clients shows that 79% of the towns and cities in Massachusetts are funding; however, most of them are not materially funded. Only 53% of the towns and cities are over 1% funded, 19% are over 10% funded and 11% are over 20% funded.
This significant achievement completes a process that began at the Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Town Meeting when the following article was passed establishing an OPEB Trust:
ARTICLE #31. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 32B, Section 20 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended, which provides that a town may establish a separate trust fund to be known as the Other Post- Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund to reduce the unfunded actuarial liability of health care and other post-employment benefits; to see what sum of money the Town will vote to appropriate for the purposes of this article; and to act on anything relating thereto.
Since the establishment of the trust, yearly appropriations of free cash have been added to the trust while the funds have subsequently been invested and experienced growth through earnings.
Congratulations to the Town on this important achievement!
*Assuming the Trust continues to earn the assumed 6.60% rate of return net of expenses.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Oct 14, 2020
Updated: Wed, Oct 14, 2020
Adopted 10/13/20
Surplus Fill Policy
The following policy is to be used when:
Surplus fill is generated from municipal projects conducted by the Town Highway Department in the Town of Colrain. Surplus fill shall be taken to mean all clean and uncontaminated excavated materials from trenches, timber, and vegetable matter, pipe offcuts and other deleterious materials that is in excess to the Town’s own requirements for such materials.
The determination of surplus fill shall be made by the Highway Superintendent after consultation with and approval of the Town Administrator. The distribution of surplus fill will be made in the most cost efficient manner and always in the best interest of the Town.
Any property owner in Colrain shall make his/her interest for surplus fill known to the Town by completing a Request for Surplus Fill Material Permit, which may be found at the Town Highway Garage facility located at 9 Jacksonville Road.
Note: The above policy will not apply in emergency situations created by natural or manmade disasters that require hiring outside contractors for timely removal and disposal of surplus fill.
Adopted 10/13/20
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Oct 14, 2020
Updated: Wed, Oct 14, 2020
The Finance Committee is in need of two additional members. Please contact Town Moderator Megan McDonough at mcdonough.megan@gmail.com or Chairman Doug MacLeay at dmacleay47@gmail.com.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Sep 28, 2020
Updated: Mon, Sep 28, 2020
Following a recent Select Board vote the Arthur Smith Bridge is now open to vehicular traffic. Please observe posted signage when enjoying the bridge.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Sep 23, 2020
Updated: Wed, Sep 23, 2020
Initial Pricing and Policies for Colrain Broadband Approved by the Select Board and MLP
Pricing and Policies can be found on the Colrain Broadband webpage.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Aug 5, 2020
Updated: Wed, Aug 5, 2020
TOWN OF COLRAIN
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Special Town Meeting Warrant
Fiscal Year 2021
FRANKLIN SS:
To either of the Constables of the Town of Colrain in the County of Franklin.
GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote on town affairs, to meet at The Colrain Town Office, located at 55 Main Road at 6:00 PM in said town on Monday, the twentieth in July next, in the year two thousand twenty, there and then to act on the following article:
ARTICLE #1. To see if the Town will vote to accept the altered layouts of portions of Main Road, Jacksonville Road and Greenfield Road as public ways, as heretofore altered by the Select Board, to include within the layouts of said ways the parcels of land shown as Parcel E-1-T, Parcel 4-T and Parcel 5-T on a plan entitled “Alteration and Easement Plan: Main Road (Route 112), Jacksonville Road ( Route 112) and Greenfield Road,” dated June 2, 2020, prepared by Sherman & Frydryk, LLC, on file with the Town Clerk; or take any action relative thereto.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at two usual places in said town, fourteen days at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the town clerk, at the time and place of meeting, as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this seventh of July, two thousand twenty.
___________________________________
Mark A. Thibodeau, Chair
___________________________________
Joseph Kurland
___________________________________
Michael Slowinski
Colrain Board of Selectmen
A TRUE COPY.
Attest: _________________________
Constable
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Jul 8, 2020
Updated: Wed, Jul 8, 2020
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Municipal Leader COVID-19 Update #8
Board of Health Edition
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Updates on the public health crisis for Boards of Health and Health Departments
in Franklin County
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There's so much information out there! Here are some helpful links for Boards of Health and Health Departments:
- For the COG's Board of Health COVID Resources Page, click here
- For copies of all the Re-Opening Guidance Emails from DPH, click here
- For the latest COVID Command Center situation reports click here
- For the COG’s COVID Municipal Resources Page click here.
- For the state's Board of Health COVID information site, click here
- For the Franklin Cty Board of Health Information Exchange, click here.
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PHASE 3 OF REOPENING
The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that on July 6th, Phase III of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will begin and updates on gatherings will be in effect. The Department of Public Health (DPH) also issued updated guidance to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
What can open in Step One of Phase 3: The following businesses will be eligible to reopen subject to industry-specific rules concerning capacity and operations:
- Movie theaters and outdoor performance venues;
- Museums, cultural and historical sites;
- Fitness centers and health clubs;
- Certain indoor recreational activities with low potential for contact;
- Professional sports teams may hold games without spectators
Full guidance and list of businesses eligible to reopen can be found at www.mass.gov/reopening. Businesses and sectors set to begin opening are subject to compliance with all mandatory safety standards.
Revised Gatherings Order: Under the updated gatherings order, indoor gatherings are limited to eight people per 1,000 square feet, but should not exceed 25 people in a single enclosed, indoor space. Outdoor gatherings in enclosed spaces are limited to 25 percent of the facility’s maximum permitted occupancy, with a maximum of 100 people in a single enclosed outdoor space. This includes community events, civic events, sporting events, concerts, conventions and more. This order does not apply to outdoor, unenclosed gatherings if proper social distancing measures are possible. This revised order does not supersede previously issued sector guidance, and is effective beginning Monday, July 6.
Health Care and Human Service Guidance: In Phase 3, health care providers may continue to provide in-person procedures and services as allowed in Phase 2, with the addition of certain group treatment programs and day programs. These programs include adult day health, day habilitation programs, and substance abuse services day treatment and outpatient services. Certain human services programs can reopen including community based day services for adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities and psychosocial rehabilitation clubhouses. In Phase 3, visitation guidelines have been updated for 24/7 congregate care facilities and programs like group homes. Offsite visits, including overnight visits, will be allowed, under specific guidelines. Other updated guidelines, including visitation for long term care facilities, will be released soon. Read the full guidance for health care and human services here.
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TESTING FOR COVID-19
Franklin County residents can be tested in a number of different locations:
- Baystate Franklin Medical Center Drive-Through in Greenfield. Requires an order from your primary care practice (PCP). Call 413-795-8378 for more information.
- Community Health Center of Franklin County Drive-Through on Fridays in Orange. Available to anyone, including those who are not patients and do not have an order from their PCP. Register at www.chcfc.org.
- Coming soon (July 14) Walk-up testing at the Community Health Center of Franklin County site in Greenfield. You will need to pre-register at www.chcfc.org.
- Most primary care practices can also schedule a test for their patients.
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COVID IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
COVID cases in Franklin County continue to drop, with only a few new cases in the last week, for a sum total thus far of 366 cases and 54 deaths. Franklin County residents are being very careful. Local testing of those who had attended large gatherings identified only 1% positive for COVID, assuaging fears that racial justice rallies might increase spread of the disease. The state puts out an information-rich weekly dashboard here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting
To see FRCOG’s Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC)'s COVID-19 Data Dashboard , click here. Please note that testing numbers are by the mailing address of the resident, not town of residence.
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Message from the MAPHCO Joint Information System
The Mohawk Area Public Health Coalition continues to build and disseminate messaging for the general public regarding risk reduction regarding COVID-19. Here is this week's message for the public:
Managing Risk in Your Summer Activities: As we move forward with the Massachusetts phased re-opening, we have to make decisions about how we go to work, socialize, exercise, and care for our loved ones, while managing the risk of contracting or unknowingly passing the virus that causes COVID-19. As we approach a summer holiday weekend, here’s a few things to remember to lower your risk level:
- STAY OUTSIDE. Studies have found that people are much less likely to get COVID-19 when they’re outdoors. That makes parks and backyards better choices than indoor spaces.
- KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. Stay at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with. Two friends meeting up at the park are better off sitting several feet apart in the grass than rubbing elbows on a park bench.
- KEEP IT QUICK. Researchers think that the longer you’re around someone who has COVID-19, the higher your risk of getting infected.
- KEEP IT SMALL. Spending time in a crowd makes it hard to keep your distance from others, and more people means a higher risk that one of those people could have the virus. Keeping gatherings very small can help.
- WEAR A MASK — AND STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO AREN’T WEARING THEM. Evidence shows that wearing a cloth mask helps stop people from spreading COVID-19 to others. Since people without symptoms can still be contagious, everyone needs to wear masks whenever they can’t keep their distance.
- WASH YOUR HANDS. A lot. Use hand sanitizer if there’s no soap and water available. And don’t touch your face.
Looking for information to share with the public? All prior messaging is available on the FRCOG’s Local Board of Health COVID-19 Resources page.
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NEW TRAVEL GUIDANCE
Governor Baker announced updated guidance on Monday for those traveling to Massachusetts: All travelers arriving to Massachusetts – including Massachusetts residents returning home – are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, except that, beginning July 1, 2020, travelers from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and New Jersey arriving in Massachusetts are exempt from this directive and need not self-quarantine for 14 days. In addition, workers designated by the federal government as essential critical infrastructure workers are exempt from the directive to self-quarantine for 14 days if traveling to Massachusetts for work purposes. All persons are instructed not to travel to Massachusetts if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19.?
For Massachusetts travel information, please visit the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) website here: Travel Information Related to COVID-19. For national travel information, please visit www.travel.state.gov
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INVESTMENT IN LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM
COVID-19 has shown that the Commonwealth's decentralized, under-funded and understaffed local public health infrastructure needs modernizing. The Coalition for Local Public Health (CLPH) has been advocating for new, sustained investment in local public health. FRCOG’s Phoebe Walker sits on the Steering Committee of the Coalition, as one of the two Western MA Public Health Association representatives. Other Coalition members include MA Public Health Assn, MA Health Officers Association, MA Environmental Health Assn, MA Assn of Health Boards and MA Association of Public Health Nurses. Recent Coalition activities include:
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HELP FOR FAMILIES
This is a particularly difficult time for many people in our region, with the stressors of unemployment, school cancellation, and social distancing piling up. Some important resources you can share with residents include:
- The Greenfield Safe Schools Safe Streets Coalition (4SC) and Gill-Montague Community School Partnership have shared resources for families, including a new weekly newsletter for parents.
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Franklin Regional Council of Governments | 12 Olive Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301-3351
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Posted: to General Town News on Fri, Jul 3, 2020
Updated: Fri, Jul 3, 2020
New contract with the Springfield Materials Recycling Facility (MRF)
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Jun 8, 2020
Updated: Mon, Jun 8, 2020
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Good Afternoon, Franklin County Local Officials. In an effort to streamline the FRCOG’s demand on your email box, we are combining two mailings in one this week. See below for a summary of each, and click on the links to review them. Please also read our statement on racial justice below.
NOTE: We have determined that correspondence we send via Constant Contact aren’t making it to everyone intended due to a Constant Contact policy wherein they won’t send emails to generic email addresses, such as townadministrator @town.ma.gov. Most people have another town email address that the generic address forwards to, such as trogers@town.ma.gov. Constant Contact will send to those addresses. If all else fails, we can send emails to a
personal account such as a Gmail account. If you received this email
second-hand, you have one of those generic email addresses, and you would like us to add a name-specific or Gmail address to our list, please let us know.
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Read the MACC Common Operating Picture for COVID-19
This will be our last situation report until another surge of COVID cases occurs (which we hope, of course, will not be the case). From here on out, we will maintain the data dashboard using state data, but not issue any further reports. The Council of Governments will continue to issue newsletters for municipal leaders like the one below.
Click here to read the FC-MACC Common Operating Picture for June 5
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Read the Municipal Leader COVID Update
This week’s Municipal Leader COVID Update includes information on the reopening process, resources for businesses, public health messaging tools for boards of health, regional PPE purchases, and more.
Click here to read the Municipal Leader Email
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FRCOG Racial Justice Work
The murder of George Floyd and resulting international protests highlight again the dire consequences of systemic racism and inequity in our society. We all must proactively work to right centuries of wrong. At the FRCOG, we are already involved in projects to improve racial equity. The Communities that Care Coalition, staffed by our Partnership for Youth, has a 5-year grant to address racial justice in our county’s school districts. Welcoming and Belonging Franklin County, in which we participate with the Franklin County Community Development Corporation and Greenfield Community College, among others, has received a grant to address racial equity and inclusion in our workplaces and community. The FRCOG's research conducted to produce last year's Community Health Needs Assessment identified troubling health disparities for people of color in our county. These inequities must be considered in all local and regional planning efforts moving forward. The Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Pan Flu Planning Subcommittee has acknowledged systemic racism as a public health issue, and has recognized that domestic terrorism afflicted upon black and brown people is a Homeland Security issue. The FRCOG also works closely with our county’s first responders, and we will collaborate with them to ensure greater racial equity in our region.
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Posted: to General Town News on Fri, Jun 5, 2020
Updated: Fri, Jun 5, 2020
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Franklin County Multi-Agency Coordination Center
Common Operating Picture
Thursday May 21, 2020
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Please note that this document is intended For Official Use Only to further cooperation and coordination across Franklin County towns.
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From the FC-MACC Manager:
We are happy to say that response activities at the MACC are slowing down. For that reason, the MACC will be transitioning into the recovery phase. We will start focusing our efforts on helping businesses and towns to reopen. Our biweekly coordination calls will now involve representatives from local businesses. We will also will reduce the frequency of these situation reports to biweekly.
The MACC will continue to be on the lookout for opportunities to assist, such as collecting PPE from the regional MEMA office and bringing it up to Greenfield for easier distribution. And should the pace of response activities pick up again, we'll be standing ready to revert to response mode. We will continue to monitor the MACC email account and phones. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us for any need--response or recovery. This is your MACC.
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ABOUT THE MACC
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The primary goal of the MACC is to create a common operating picture across the 26 towns in Franklin County and the healthcare facilities that serve us all, as information sharing is so critical.
PLEASE NOTE: The MACC does not have any personal protective equipment on hand.
If you need further assistance feel free to send us an email at FranklinCountyMACC@frcog.org or call us at (413) 768-7518 or (413) 768-4127. Visit our webpage at https://tinyurl.com/FCMACC.
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Reopening Massachusetts
On May 18th the Baker-Polito Administration released Reopening Massachusetts, the Reopening Advisory Board’s report, which details a four-phased strategy to responsibly reopen businesses and activities while continuing to fight COVID-19. The Administration also released a new “Safer At Home” Advisory, which instructs residents to stay at home unless engaging with newly opened activities, as a way to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Click Here to get the latest information on the current guidance.
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Town Information
Emergency Management | Public Health | Police | Fire
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Latest City and Town EOC information
The entries listed in green include information from this week's situation report request. The entries in grey are from last week's request.
Bernardston is reporting that they have some PPE which they can share with other communities.
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Financial Matters
We have been fielding questions lately about the many financial resources that are here, or are coming, to help with COVID expenses. For a brief description of each program and how you can find more information on each, click here.
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Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
- The same service and programming changes as reported last week continue.
- The FCSO has sufficient PPE for the next month and has secured a supply chain to acquire more in the future. FCSO has sufficient testing kits.
- There are 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst inmates.
?
Service changes include:
- Behavioral health groups within the jail have stopped due to social distancing
- Incarcerated clients are completing individual work on their recovery with workbooks which are reviewed by staff
- Post-release reentry support occurs over the phone
- Staff continue to support clients in navigating resources and finding shelter
- Regional lockup is on hold
- House of Correction is accepting new inmates through courts only
- A trailer, outfitted with electricity, HVAC, and Internet access, was set up on the grounds of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, 160 Elm Street, Greenfield as of May 1. Judges, court clerks, lawyers, and defendants will have a safe and confidential space to process these cases quickly until it is deemed for the courts to safely re-open to the public.
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Franklin County MACC - COVID-19 Dashboard
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The FC-MACC Dashboard, created by FRCOG, is meant to provide important information at your fingertips. It contains a map of COVID-19 cases in the County and other COVID statistics. It is updated throughout the week so check back for updated information.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DASHBOARD
In the corner of each square there are buttons to add or remove the layers of data you are interested in and one to see the legend. You can also click directly on the map to get information about any particular community.
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Data for this week followed trends from the last few weeks. Total cumulative numbers increase as the disease spreads slowly, thanks to the social distancing sacrifices made by our residents. Many people have been exposed, quarantined, and released without becoming ill, and many who were ill have recovered.
For all towns reporting, a combined 309 Franklin County residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Of these, 46 of our community members have lost their lives. 259 people have recovered from the disease.
For a great deal of information on COVID-19 cases in MA, visit the data dashboard at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting#covid-19-cases-in-massachusetts-
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Under the state’s reopening plan, a number of changes are underway in healthcare settings to prepare for an expansion of non-urgent services with careful protections for patients and staff. Under re-opening, a number of medical procedures will become available again, and providers and hospitals are planning for appropriate spacing in waiting rooms, scheduling that minimizes interactions between potentially symptomatic patients and the general population and in the hospitals, testing of all patients undergoing aerosolized procedures preoperatively.
Interested in learning more about the reopening guidance for health and human services? Click here: https://www.mass.gov/lists/reopening-health-and-human-services-in-massachusetts
The general trend for COVID positive patients admitted to a hospital has been trending down. As of 5/13 there are no positive patients at BFMC, and 3 awaiting test results.
Since the beginning of the regional pandemic surge, nearly 80% of the Baystate system’s COVID-19 confirmed cases have either been discharged to home, discharged to skilled nursing facilities, or never needed hospitalization. The vast majority of those who have passed away were elderly and had multiple, underlying medical conditions. Most had advanced directives that limited the care they wished to receive.
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PPE
Urgently needed this week:
- The Health Care Resource Center in Greenfield urgently needs masks to hand out to methadone patients who are entering the building daily for medicating. The Center has 60 patients daily medicating and estimates half of those patients do not have masks.
- The Community Health Center of Franklin County needs N95s, Level III masks, and body suits.
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Testing Information
Drive-through testing is available every Friday at the Community Health Center of Franklin County’s 450 West River Street site in Orange to anyone, regardless of insurance status or primary care provider, however, you must pre-register. Click here to pre-register. Note that this is currently the only testing site available to people without symptoms. This new facility did 40 tests in its first week and is scheduled to do 140 this Friday.
The Baystate Franklin Medical Center drive-through site is available to anyone (including children) who has symptoms, from any medical practice, including first responders.
Tests must be ordered by medical practices first. Click here for more information.
?Overall, as testing has increased, the percent of positive diagnoses in the Baystate system has gone down, from 24.4% to 14.6%, which is good news for our region.
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Prepared by Debra L. McLaughlin, Coordinator, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region
1) Increased distribution of Narcan to first responders by Tapestry in collaboration with the Opioid Task Force.
- Email narcan@opioidtaskforce.org to obtain Narcan. Calls or texts can also be made to Tapestry’s Mobile Outreach Line at 413-221-7722 between 10 AM - 2 PM, Monday through Friday.
2) Temporary quarters for Emergency Court Hearings located on the grounds of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, 160 Elm Street, Greenfield, MA.
- A trailer, outfitted with electricity, HVAC, and Internet access, was set up on the grounds of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, 160 Elm Street, Greenfield as of May 1. Judges, court clerks, lawyers, and defendants will have a safe and confidential space to process these cases quickly until it is deemed for the courts to safely re-open to the public.
3) Continued reports of fatal and non-fatal opioid and other drug overdoses in the region, especially in the North Quabbin remains a significant concern.
4) Continued reports of deaths by suicide and suicide attempts.
5) Continued reports of individuals in mental health crisis. Crisis services calls are down but have capacity to respond to calls.
6) Access to services for the most vulnerable and those who are unhoused continues to be a challenge across the region, especially in Greenfield where a minimum of 40 individuals are seen by Tapestry’s mobile outreach team.
- OTF has created a resource sheet, which was shared broadly in the community with available outdoor, Wi-Fi hotspots, public restrooms, and port-a-potties and portable handwashing stations, along with other services such as Narcan access, pre-packaged foods/snacks, which can be found here.
NOTE: OTF has sharps containers in our office, with their inserts, that we could distribute for free to any municipality.
7) Uneven access to PPE, telephonic and telehealth services due to lack of phones, SIM cards, other technology (e.g. computers) and Wi-Fi for program participants and patients remain an issue.
8) Detoxes, residential treatment, and supportive sober housing facilities remain generally open, with increased COVID-19 screening procedures for staff and residents. Separate areas are being set-aside to isolate individuals, as needed.
9) DCF continues to report the removal of children due to opioid and substance misuse and overdoses.
10) Coalitions/family resource centers serving families report increased family stress, especially for parents in early recovery.
11) The RECOVER Project, North Quabbin Recovery Center, and Tapestry are making plans to safely reopen using the guidance from Governor Baker’s office and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. More details forthcoming as they become available.
CLICK HERE for the full OTF report.
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Announcements | Webinars | Open Source Information | Useful Links
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From the
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Dear Applicants:
On May 5,2020, the FEMA Simplified Application Process within Grants Portal went live, allowing applicants with approved Requests for Public Assistance (RPAs) to complete the application, upload required documentation, and submit applications for eligible costs incurred for the COVID-19 response. FEMA has issued revised guidance on the application process. As such, a summary of process changes are as follows:
1. Grants Portal Application: FEMA will no longer accept the PDF form of the application for project development. Applicants who have not yet submitted their application must do so through the electronic form available in Grants Portal. The applicant should log onto Grants Portal, go to the Applicant Event Profile for DR 4496, and start an application using the “Submit Project Application” button.
2. Expedited Projects: Applicants will be able to apply for an Expedited Project directly through the application on Grants Portal. With this new functionality, MEMA will no longer require the submission of an Expedited Project Form, available on the MEMA website. As such, MEMA will be removing this form from its website. Applicants should log onto Grants Portal and complete the “Expedited Projects” section of the application.
3. Exploratory Call: With FEMA’s new streamlined application process, FEMA will not host Exploratory Calls, as they have in other disasters. MEMA Project Coordinators will start to engage applicants to set up a State-Led Exploratory Call to gather information, such as cost estimates, and to provide direct technical assistance to applicants regarding eligibility and process. If applicants do not feel as though they need to engage in this call, however, they are encouraged to start the application process in Grants Portal and reach out to MEMA if they encounter any difficulties.
4. Preparer’s Role: Applicants may now designate a consultant to prepare a project on behalf of the applicant as a “preparer.” To manage your entity’s personnel listed in the Portal, you can review a FEMA tutorial for step-by-step instruction here.
5. Documentation Requirements: As always, for work completed, FEMA will require 100% documentation to be submitted into Grants Portal for large projects. Once the application is submitted, FEMA will validate a sampling of the documentation for completeness and accuracy. After FEMA’s sampling, MEMA will reconcile 100% of documentation and costs.
For work that is not yet completed, where the applicant must estimate costs, FEMA will require the applicant to provide a narrative methodology for how the applicant estimated those costs. MEMA will not validate estimated costs prior to obligation; however, 100% of documentation will be required before MEMA provides reimbursement for large projects.
If your entity has any question on the process changes, please let us know by submitting your questions through MEMA’s question portal available on our website or through this link: Submit Question to the MEMA Recovery Team
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Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 21, 2020
Updated: Thu, May 21, 2020
The Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Town Meeting has been re-scheduled for Saturday, June 20 at 1:00 PM. The Meeting will be held on the grounds of the Town Office located at 55 Main Rd.
The Warrant to be voted on has been posted and is attached as a file below. Additional copies will be available at the Libray and the Town Offices.
Chairs will be available but those that are able are encouraged to bring their own.
As a precaution due to the COVID-19 crisis the wearing of masks and social distancing is strongly encouraged.
Please respect your fellow residents!
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, May 20, 2020
Updated: Thu, May 28, 2020
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Franklin County Multi-Agency Coordination Center
Common Operating Picture
Thursday May 14, 2020
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Please note that this document is intended For Official Use Only to further cooperation and coordination across Franklin County towns.
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From the FC-MACC Manager:
It seems we are moving into the next phase of response to this pandemic with the release of Governor Baker's reopening guidelines. We still do not know which businesses will be able to open until the Governor releases more information next Monday but we do know what will be expected of them to keep their workers safe. You can find those requirements by Clicking Here.
The cost for the response is adding up. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is working hard to give local governments the information they need to be able to submit their applications to FEMA correctly. Following the guidelines is the best way forward to ensure your municipal reimbursement is not delayed. Check the section below titled Financial Matters to learn more.
The FC-MACC is still working to assist with your needs. This past week we were able to match up a facility which needed PPE with one that had extra via this report. The end result was that the facility in need was able to get the resource quickly and take a request off the plate of MEMA or DPH.
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ABOUT THE MACC
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The primary goal of the MACC is to create a common operating picture across the 26 towns in Franklin County and the healthcare facilities that serve us all, as information sharing is so critical.
PLEASE NOTE: The MACC does not have any personal protective equipment on hand.
If you need further assistance feel free to send us an email at FranklinCountyMACC@frcog.org or call us at (413) 768-7518 or (413) 768-4127. Visit our webpage at https://tinyurl.com/FCMACC.
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Town Information
Emergency Management | Public Health | Police | Fire
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Latest City and Town EOC information
The entries listed in green include information from this week's situation report request. The entries in grey are from last week's request.
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Financial Matters
We have been fielding questions lately about the many financial resources that are here, or are coming, to help with COVID expenses. For a brief description of each program and how you can find more information on each, click here.
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Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
The same service and programming changes as reported last week continue. The FCSO has sufficient PPE for the next month and has secured a supply chain to acquire more in the future. FCSO has sufficient testing kits. There are 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst inmates. There remain three confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst staff. At least 15 other staff have been tested and all were negative.
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Service changes include:
- Behavioral health groups within the jail have stopped due to social distancing
- Incarcerated clients are completing individual work on their recovery with workbooks which are reviewed by staff
- Post-release reentry support occurs over the phone
- Staff continue to support clients in navigating resources and finding shelter
- Regional lockup is on hold
- House of Correction is accepting new inmates through courts only
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Franklin County MACC - COVID-19 Dashboard
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The FC-MACC Dashboard, created by FRCOG, is meant to provide important information at your fingertips. It contains a map of COVID-19 cases in the County and other COVID statistics. It is updated throughout the week so check back for updated information.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DASHBOARD
In the corner of each square there are buttons to add or remove the layers of data you are interested in and one to see the legend. You can also click directly on the map to get information about any particular community.
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COVID Case Report for Franklin County
Data for this week followed trends from the last few weeks. Total cumulative numbers increase as the disease spreads slowly, thanks to the social distancing sacrifices made by our residents. Many people have been exposed, quarantined, and released without becoming ill, and many who were ill have recovered. For instance, in the CPHS Health District towns, 75 people who were quarantined after exposure to a sick person have been released, and there have been only three reported deaths. Similarly, in Greenfield, 136 of the total of 186 cases of COVID-19 have recovered so far.
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Primary care practices report an increasing number of their patients with COVID-19, as anticipated. All practices are open for business, both online and in person for urgent care. Some specialty care is currently unavailable (dental hygiene, optometry). The Community Health Center currently is doing an increased amount of emergency dental procedures to divert patients from the ER, addressing pain and infection. This will expand when they have additional PPE and have made structural changes to the buildings. All Birthplace patients are offered testing prior to having their babies. Healthcare staffing is stable. Providers believe that the peak numbers may be behind us, and we are now in a long, steady, plateau of cases. All providers are actively planning for how to protect staff and patients when the state begins to re-open. As they did last week, the healthcare sector asks for your help to get the word out that safe emergency care is possible and people experiencing a health crisis are urged to come in.
Baystate Franklin Medical Center reports that they are preparing for the eventual opening of other hospital operations and outpatient procedure facilities for non-urgent care. The process requires appropriate spacing in waiting rooms, scheduling that minimizes interactions between potentially symptomatic patients and the general population and testing of all patients undergoing aerosolized procedures preoperatively. BFMC will get some Remdesivir from the state in the near future. The amount will get is based on historical volume of COVID-19 patients who meet criteria.
The general trend for COVID positive patients admitted to the hospital has been trending down. See graph below which shows counts for the entire Baystate system. As of 5/13 there are no positive patients at BFMC.
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PPE
Urgently needed this week:
- The Health Care Resource Center in Greenfield urgently needs masks to hand out to methadone patients who are entering the building daily for medicating. The Center has 60 patients daily medicating and estimates half of those patients do not have masks.
- The Community Health Center of Franklin County needs N95s, Level III masks, and body suits.
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Testing Information
Access to testing for Franklin County residents continues to expand. Drive-through testing is available every Friday at the Community Health Center of Franklin County’s 450 West River Street site in Orange to anyone, regardless of insurance status or primary care provider, however, you must pre-register. Click here to pre-register. This new facility did 40 tests last week and has 80 on the schedule for Friday. It will expand if there is demand.
The Baystate Franklin Medical Center drive-through site is available to anyone (including children) who has symptoms, from any medical practice, including first responders. Tests must be ordered by medical practices. Click here for more information. Overall, as testing has increased, the percent of positive diagnoses in the Baystate system has gone down, from 24.4% to 15.4%, which is good news for our region.
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Prepared by Debra L. McLaughlin, Coordinator, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region
1) Increased distribution of Narcan to first responders by Tapestry in collaboration with the Opioid Task Force.
- Email narcan@opioidtaskforce.org to obtain Narcan. Calls or texts can also be made to Tapestry’s Mobile Outreach Line at 413-221-7722 between 10 AM - 2 PM, Monday through Friday.
2) Temporary quarters for Emergency Court Hearings set up at the FCSO, 160 Elm Street, Greenfield, MA.
3) Continued reports of fatal and non-fatal opioid and other drug overdoses in the region, especially in the North Quabbin remains a significant concern.
4) Continued reports of deaths by suicide and suicide attempts.
5) Continued reports of individuals in mental health crisis. Crisis services calls are down but have capacity to respond to calls. Reports of people feeling “fatalistic” that they will get COVID-19, no matter what they do.
6) Access to services for the most vulnerable and those who are unhoused continues to be a challenge across the region, especially in Greenfield where a minimum of 40 individuals are seen by Tapestry’s mobile outreach team.
NOTE: OTF has sharps containers in our office, with their inserts, that we could distribute for free to any municipality.
7) Uneven access to PPE, telephonic and telehealth services due to lack of phones, SIM cards, other technology (e.g. computers) and Wi-Fi for program participants and patients remain an issue.
- OTF created a resource sheet of available public Wi-Fi hotspots to share broadly in the community, which can be found here.
8) Detoxes, residential treatment, and supportive sober housing facilities remain generally open, with increased COVID-19 screening procedures for staff and residents. Separate areas are being set-aside to isolate individuals, as needed.
9) DCF continues to report the removal of children due to opioid and substance misuse and overdoses.
10) Coalitions/family resource centers serving families report increased family stress, especially for parents in early recovery.
11) PPE for non-medical human service providers continue to be an issue.
- OTF continues to track PPE needs as part of its work with three agencies saying they will run out of masks within 1-3 weeks (7-21 days) depending on use.
12) One agency reported two resolved COVID-19 cases, with them back to work.
CLICK HERE for the full OTF report.
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Announcements | Webinars | Open Source Information | Useful Links
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APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS NEXT WEEK FOR $100 MILLION in Assistance to Firefighters Grant - COVID-19 Supplemental Program
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available for $100 million in funding for the Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant – COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S) to help provide personal protective equipment to firefighters and first responders who are managing emergencies during the Coronavirus pandemic.
FEMA will begin accepting AFG-S applications at 8 a.m. ET on Tuesday April 28, 2020. The application period will close at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, May 15, 2020, so start planning your application now by reviewing the NOFO and technical assistance tools below. These tools were produced to help potential applicants begin to plan their AFG-S applications ahead of the application period. These documents can be viewed on the AFGP website at FY 2020 AFG-S COVID-19 Guidance Documents and/or downloaded to your computer.
AFG Grants Help Desk: If you have questions about the technical assistance tools listed above, call or e-mail the AFG Grants Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960; or firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The AFG Help Desk is open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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From the
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Dear Applicants:
On May 5,2020, the FEMA Simplified Application Process within Grants Portal went live, allowing applicants with approved Requests for Public Assistance (RPAs) to complete the application, upload required documentation, and submit applications for eligible costs incurred for the COVID-19 response. FEMA has issued revised guidance on the application process. As such, a summary of process changes are as follows:
1. Grants Portal Application: FEMA will no longer accept the PDF form of the application for project development. Applicants who have not yet submitted their application must do so through the electronic form available in Grants Portal. The applicant should log onto Grants Portal, go to the Applicant Event Profile for DR 4496, and start an application using the “Submit Project Application” button.
2. Expedited Projects: Applicants will be able to apply for an Expedited Project directly through the application on Grants Portal. With this new functionality, MEMA will no longer require the submission of an Expedited Project Form, available on the MEMA website. As such, MEMA will be removing this form from its website. Applicants should log onto Grants Portal and complete the “Expedited Projects” section of the application.
3. Exploratory Call: With FEMA’s new streamlined application process, FEMA will not host Exploratory Calls, as they have in other disasters. MEMA Project Coordinators will start to engage applicants to set up a State-Led Exploratory Call to gather information, such as cost estimates, and to provide direct technical assistance to applicants regarding eligibility and process. If applicants do not feel as though they need to engage in this call, however, they are encouraged to start the application process in Grants Portal and reach out to MEMA if they encounter any difficulties.
4. Preparer’s Role: Applicants may now designate a consultant to prepare a project on behalf of the applicant as a “preparer.” To manage your entity’s personnel listed in the Portal, you can review a FEMA tutorial for step-by-step instruction here.
5. Documentation Requirements: As always, for work completed, FEMA will require 100% documentation to be submitted into Grants Portal for large projects. Once the application is submitted, FEMA will validate a sampling of the documentation for completeness and accuracy. After FEMA’s sampling, MEMA will reconcile 100% of documentation and costs.
For work that is not yet completed, where the applicant must estimate costs, FEMA will require the applicant to provide a narrative methodology for how the applicant estimated those costs. MEMA will not validate estimated costs prior to obligation; however, 100% of documentation will be required before MEMA provides reimbursement for large projects.
If your entity has any question on the process changes, please let us know by submitting your questions through MEMA’s question portal available on our website or through this link: Submit Question to the MEMA Recovery Team
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Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 14, 2020
Updated: Thu, May 14, 2020
Message To the Community from the Mohawk Trail Regional School District School Committee
The Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont School Committees have arranged times for members of our communities to meet virtually with each of the finalists in our Superintendent search. In order to inform as many people as possible of these meetings, we are asking towns to please post this information on town websites. Also, if you have other town email lists that are used to inform citizens of important events, please consider using those t[lsts for this purpose as well. Input from our communities is a vital part of this process.
The community sessions are slated for 6:30 p.m. on:
Monday, May 18 (Rhonda Lewis),
Tuesday, May 19 (Thad King)
Wednesday, May 20 (Sheryl Stanton)
Here is a link to information about each candidate:
https://bit.ly/mtrsdsuper
To participate in these meetings, citizens should use the following link or dial-in information:
Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/xxq-dzpi-xhb
Call-In: dial 650-684-8351 PIN: ?590 139 189
Because these meetings must take place electronically via video/tele-conference, it will be difficult to manage a large volume of questions in real time. Therefore, we have put together a form for community members to submit question(s) ahead of time.
The form can be accessed here::
https://forms.gle/bjoU4CtMtms9zdBh8
Thank you for your help!
Martha Thurber, Chair
Mohawk Trail Regional School Committee
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, May 11, 2020
Updated: Mon, May 11, 2020
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Franklin County Multi-Agency Coordination Center
Common Operating Picture
Thursday May 7, 2020
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Please note that this document is intended For Official Use Only to further cooperation and coordination across Franklin County towns.
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From the FC-MACC Manager:
Discussion at all levels of government is happening about how to re-open for business. Questions we are receiving lately are about how Franklin County towns are enforcing the Governor's order for the general public to wear face masks when social distancing isn't possible. On this week's situation report form we asked towns to share if they had issued any advisories of their own. Only one town reported that they had. If you have any sample language to share with others relating to enforcement of mask-wearing, please send it to us at FranklinCountyMACC@frcog.org so we can include it in next week's report.
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ABOUT THE MACC
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The primary goal of the MACC is to create a common operating picture across the 26 towns in Franklin County and the healthcare facilities that serve us all, as information sharing is so critical.
PLEASE NOTE: The MACC does not have any personal protective equipment on hand.
If you need further assistance feel free to send us an email at FranklinCountyMACC@frcog.org or call us at (413) 768-7518 or (413) 768-4127. Visit our webpage at https://tinyurl.com/FCMACC.
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MACC Coordination Meetings
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As COVID cases continue to plateau, there are fewer topics for the MACC and its collaborative partners to discuss. Therefore, we have moved to biweekly MACC coordination calls. The one item of note from this week's call was that the Opioid Task Force and Tapestry Health are working together to increase distribution of Narcan to first responders. For more information on that, read the Human Services section, below.
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Town Information
Emergency Management | Public Health | Police | Fire
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Latest City and Town EOC information
Below is a brief synopsis of the data being reported.
?Towns Reporting - Bernardston, Buckland, Conway, Erving, Gill, Sunderland, and Whately all reported new information this week.
Towns with an Open EOC - Ashfield, Bernardston, Erving, Greenfield
Towns that have declared a state of emergency - Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Leyden, New Salem, Montague, Northfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, Whately
Please Note: In the last COP the Town of Hawley was listed as having declared a state of emergency. This was an error on the part of the editor. They have not declared as of this report.
For a more detailed view of the information as of May 7, 2020, including towns who did not report a change from last week CLICK HERE.
Financial Matters
We have been fielding questions lately about the many financial resources that are here, or are coming, to help with COVID expenses. For a brief description of each program and how you can find more information on each, click here.
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Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
The same service and programming changes as reported last week continue. The FCSO has sufficient PPE for the next month and has secured a supply chain to acquire more in the future. FCSO has sufficient testing kits. There are 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst inmates. There remain three confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst staff. At least 15 other staff have been tested and all were negative.
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Service changes include:
- Behavioral health groups within the jail have stopped due to social distancing
- Incarcerated clients are completing individual work on their recovery with workbooks which are reviewed by staff
- Post-release reentry support occurs over the phone
- Staff continue to support clients in navigating resources and finding shelter
- Regional lockup is on hold
- House of Correction is accepting new inmates through courts only
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Franklin County MACC - COVID-19 Dashboard
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The FC-MACC Dashboard, created by FRCOG, is meant to provide important information at your fingertips. It contains a map of COVID-19 cases in the County and other COVID statistics. It is updated throughout the week so check back for updated information.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DASHBOARD
In the corner of each square there are buttons to add or remove the layers of data you are interested in and one to see the legend. You can also click directly on the map to get information about any particular community.
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COVID Case Report for Franklin County
As expected, numbers in Franklin County continue to increase steadily, but without major spikes. On a per-capita basis, Greenfield (at 1000.2/100,000) is the most affected in Franklin County, owing largely to its role as the host to most of the region’s long-term care facilities. The next most severely impacted group of communities for who rates are calculated by the state include Buckland, Shelburne, and Orange (all in the high 300s per 100,000 of population). Note that numbers are not shared for towns with fewer than 5 cases, so rates are not available for smaller towns.
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Some points of good news to share:
- There are now over 115 people in the county who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have recovered, with a much larger number recovered who were never diagnosed by a lab.
- Some of our region’s most vulnerable people – those experiencing homelessness—appear to be largely unaffected by the virus so far.
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While the rate of new COVID cases has slowed, the overall number continues to rise. Primary care practices report an increasing number of their patients with COVID-19, as anticipated. All practices are open for business, both online and in person for urgent care. Some specialty care is currently unavailable (dental hygiene, optometry). The Community Health Center of Franklin County's dental emergency capacity is slated to increase significantly next week after additional PPE and structural changes to the building. All Baystate Franklin Birthplace patients are offered testing prior to delivery. Elective procedures at the hospital continue to be unavailable, per Governor’s order, but planning is well underway for how to safely resume this important work once the Governor allows it. Healthcare staffing is stable. All providers are actively planning for how to protect staff and patients when the state begins to re-open.
As they did last week, the healthcare sector asks for your help to get the word out that safe emergency care is possible and people experiencing a health crisis are urged to come in. There are serious concerns in the medical community that many people may be avoiding getting treatment for important health issues like stroke, diabetes, and heart disease, so it was good news this week that emergency department visits are beginning to increase again as people seek treatment.
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Baystate Health reports: “Since the beginning of the regional pandemic surge, system-wide, 81% of the system’s COVID-19 confirmed cases have either been discharged to home (308), discharged to skilled nursing facilities (115), or never needed hospitalization (568). To date, 150 hospitalized patients have died due to COVID-19 in Baystate’s five hospitals. Our collective hearts go out to their families and other loved ones. COVID-19 is a terrible scourge that has already exacted a great personal toll on our community and our care givers. The vast majority of these decedents were elderly and had multiple, underlying medical conditions. Most had advanced directives that limited the care they wished to receive.”
PPE
Urgently needed this week:
- The Health Care Resource Center in Greenfield urgently needs masks to hand out to methadone patients who are entering the building daily for medicating. The Center has 60 patients daily medicating and estimates half of those patients do not have masks.
- The Community Health Center of Franklin County needs extra large booties.
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Testing Information
Access to testing for Franklin County residents continues to expand. As of this week, drive-through testing is available at the Community Health Center of Franklin County’s Orange site to anyone, regardless of insurance status or primary care provider, however, you must pre-register. Click here to pre-register. The Baystate Franklin Medical Center drive-through site is available to anyone (including children) who has symptoms, from any medical practice, including first responders. Tests must be ordered by medical practices. Click here for more information. Overall, as testing has increased, the percent of positive diagnoses in the Baystate system has gone down, from 24.4% to 16.6%, which is good news for our region.
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Prepared by Debra L. McLaughlin, Coordinator, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region
1) Increased distribution of Narcan to first responders by Tapestry in collaboration with the Opioid Task Force.
- Email narcan@opioidtaskforce.org to obtain Narcan. Calls or texts can also be made to Tapestry’s Mobile Outreach Line at 413-221-7722 between 10 AM - 2 PM, Monday through Friday.
2) Temporary quarters for Emergency Court Hearings located in a trailer at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, 160 Elm Street, Greenfield, MA.
3) Continued reports of fatal and non-fatal opioid and other drug overdoses in the region, especially in the North Quabbin remains a significant concern.
4) Continued reports of deaths by suicide and suicide attempts.
5) Continued reports of individuals in mental health crisis. Crisis services calls are down but have capacity to respond to calls. Reports of people feeling “fatalistic” that they will get COVID-19, no matter what they do.
6) Continued reports of calls by families to human services agencies for supports and services when Governor Baker announced school and non-essential child care closures until June 30.
7) Access to services for the most vulnerable and those who are unhoused continues to be a challenge across the region, especially in Greenfield where a minimum of 40 individuals are seen by Tapestry’s mobile outreach team.
- OTF has created a resource sheet, which was shared broadly in the community with available outdoor, Wi-Fi hotspots, public restrooms, and port-a-potties and portable handwashing stations, along with other services such as Narcan access, pre-packaged foods/snacks, which can be found here.
NOTE: OTF has sharps containers in our office, with their inserts, that we could distribute for free to any municipality.
8) Uneven access to PPE, telephonic and telehealth services due to lack of phones, SIM cards, other technology (e.g. computers) and Wi-Fi for program participants and patients remain an issue
9) Detoxes, residential treatment, and supportive sober housing facilities remain generally open, with increased COVID-19 screening procedures for staff and residents. Separate areas are being set-aside to isolate individuals, as needed.
10) DCF continues to report the removal of children due to opioid and substance misuse and overdoses.
11) PPE for non-medical human service providers continue to be an issue
12) One agency reported staff in quarantine due to community exposure to COVID-19.
CLICK HERE for the full OTF report.
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Announcements | Webinars | Open Source Information | Useful Links
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COVID-19 Law Enforcement Guidance
Masks & Face Covering FAQs
Joint Guidance issued by
The Office of the Attorney General
and
The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association
CLICK HERE for the full document.
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APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS NEXT WEEK FOR $100 MILLION in Assistance to Firefighters Grant - COVID-19 Supplemental Program
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available for $100 million in funding for the Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant – COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S) to help provide personal protective equipment to firefighters and first responders who are managing emergencies during the Coronavirus pandemic.
FEMA will begin accepting AFG-S applications at 8 a.m. ET on Tuesday April 28, 2020. The application period will close at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, May 15, 2020, so start planning your application now by reviewing the NOFO and technical assistance tools below. These tools were produced to help potential applicants begin to plan their AFG-S applications ahead of the application period. These documents can be viewed on the AFGP website at FY 2020 AFG-S COVID-19 Guidance Documents and/or downloaded to your computer.
AFG Grants Help Desk: If you have questions about the technical assistance tools listed above, call or e-mail the AFG Grants Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960; or firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The AFG Help Desk is open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Franklin Regional Council of Governments | 12 Olive Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301-3351
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Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 7, 2020
Updated: Thu, May 7, 2020
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Municipal Leader COVID-19 Update #6
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Timely updates on the public health crisis for Boards of Health, Selectboards, Town Administrators, First Responders and Emergency Managers.
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FRCOG’s sixth COVID-19 municipal leader bulletin is being distributed two months after the first case of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. There is good evidence that the measures taken by our residents are beginning to pay off, but enormous challenges continue to face our nation, state and region.
Helpful Links:
- For the latest Franklin County MACC situation report click here
- For the latest COVID Command Center situation reports click here
- For the COG’s COVID Municipal Resources Page click here.
- For the Region 1 Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition, click here
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Message from the MAPHCO Joint Information System:
Boards of Health interested in sharing information with residents can find a Word version of the MAPHCO weekly tips for communication here. Additional messages for the public this week include one on contact tracing, another on remaining patient with physical distancing, and the importance of continuing to seek treatment for major health issues during the pandemic.
Stay at Home Advisory and Nonessential Business Closures Extended
Governor Baker’s emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public is extended until May 18th. This order also extends the existing ban on gatherings of more than 10 people until May 18th. Governor Baker also announced that the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) stay-at-home advisory will remain in effect. Residents are strongly urged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary person to person contact during this time period. Residents who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID19 should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.
As of April 30, Franklin County is third lowest in case counts in the Commonwealth, with only Dukes County and Nantucket having lower case counts. Your physical distancing efforts are making a difference in keeping yourself and your neighbors healthy! Please stay patient, and keep it up!
Read more about the Stay-At-Home Advisory and more about essential business and services.
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TOWN ELECTIONS AND ANNUAL TOWN MEETINGS
Town Clerks, Moderators, and Boards of Health have been thinking about how to safely hold town elections and town meetings and have reached out to the FRCOG to see if there is clear guidance on either. As you already know, legislation has passed that allows Annual Town Meetings to occur after June 30th and that allows towns to deficit spend/create 1/12 budgets until a FY21 budget can be fully vetted and approved. Refer to this link for more. There is pending legislation that would provide further guidance, clarification and flexibility on the holding of Town Meetings. If and when that legislation passes, we will be sure to notify all municipal officials. It is our current understanding that the Secretary of State intends to issue clear guidance on holding town elections in the coming week.
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EXECUTIVE ORDER /LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:
Re-Opening Board
The Massachusetts Rural Policy Advisory Commission (RPAC) has representation on the Governor’s new Re-Opening Board. If your community has suggestions/concerns, please send them to Linda Dunlavy, Chair of the RPAC, to pass on.
Facial Covering Order
Effective Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Governor Baker issued an Order requiring face masks or cloth face coverings in public places where social distancing is not possible. This applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Exceptions include children under the age of 2 and those unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition. Full details are outlined in the May 1 Order and at mass.gov/coveryourface. Concerned that you may not have a face mask? You don’t need one! Watch a video describing all the alternatives here.
New Procedures for Farmers Markets
Just in time for the traditional May 1 start of Farmers Market season in our region, the Departments of Public Health and Agricultural Resources released new orders and guidance for Farmers Markets, Farm Stands, and CSAs. They lay out the necessary physical distancing and hygiene practices required at each. Farm stands are encouraged to pre-bag their products and limit cash transactions, but the changes for Farmers Markets are extensive. Note that unlike many food borne viruses, Coronavirus causes respiratory illness. Food borne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission, so the main concern in agricultural sales is the behavior of the people involved. Read more here:
· DPH emergency order for farmers markets, farm stands, and Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA)
· MDAR guidance on farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs
· MDAR resource page for agriculture
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MACC UPDATE: COVID IN FRANKLIN COUNTY
FRCOG’s Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) issues weekly reports on Thursdays that provide a common operating picture to all responding to COVID-19 in Franklin County. To read past reports and view the COVID-19 Data Dashboard, click here. This week the MACC reported that the peak appears to be behind us, and Franklin County’s healthcare stakeholders are seeing a plateau of cases. Many communities are doing extensive risk communication work and working to increase access to masks and other PPE as we anticipate an eventual re-opening.
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MUNICIPAL FINANCE UPDATE
Last week, Sean Cronin, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Revenue and Director of the Division of Local Services DLS provided a Municipal Finance Update. He focused on Chapters 53 and 56 of the Acts of 2020, as well as the federal CARES act. Summaries of Chapters 53 and 56 and other useful COVID-19 information for municipalities are available on the DLS website (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-municipal-officials#legislation-and-emergency-actions).
The federal CARES Act is providing approximately $2.7 billion to MA. A&F will issue guidance for cities and towns on how to access some of that money to help pay for COVID-19 expenses incurred between 3/10/20 and 12/31/20. CARES Act funding cannot be used to make up for local revenue loss or to supplant already-budgeted expenses.
Contact Sean (croninse@dor.state.ma.us) with specific questions about the local impact of Chapters 53 and 56, or with additional thoughts and ideas for the state to consider for providing further municipal relief through this emergency. Another opportunity for town administrators, through the Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts (STAM), to talk with Sean is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5th.
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NEW GRANTS FOR FIREFIGHTERS
FEMA has just released the following opportunities under the Aid to Firefighters Grant program:
- FY 2020 COVID 19 - Supplemental (AFG-S): will close on Friday, May 15, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- FY 2019 SAFER: will close on Friday, May 15, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- FY 2019 FP&S: will close on Friday, May 29, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Review the grant program's Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) at the AFG website
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COOPERATIVE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
HEALTH DISTRICT UPDATE
As of Thursday, April 30, CPHS Member towns have had a total of 36 cases since the pandemic began and 18 people have recovered from the disease. 26 people are currently either isolated because of a COVID diagnosis or quarantined because of exposure to someone with a diagnosis. Our public health nurses continue to be busy identifying patients and their contacts and supporting them in staying safely at home. The nurses have sent a few trial COVID-19 cases to the state’s new contact tracing collaborative, and have developed a relationship with the team serving Franklin and Hampshire Counties.
Title 5 season has started back up, and the Health Agents are busy with this important water-protection work, as well as providing a great deal of technical assistance to businesses in understanding the constantly evolving state orders around essential businesses. The district staff will be distributing face-covering posters Monday and Tuesday in time for the 5/6 deadline to wear them (see image above). Our grateful thanks to graphic designer Kat Woods for donating the design of the posters for us.
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More Resources to Share with Your Residents
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Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19:
While the health crisis is a major challenge to Franklin County, the economic impacts of this outbreak are also already severe. Click here to learn more about resources for businesses.
Help for Families
This is a particularly difficult time for many people in our region, with the stressors of unemployment, school cancellation, and social distancing piling up. Some important resources you can share with residents include:
- The Greenfield Safe Schools Safe Streets Coalition (4SC) and Gill-Montague Community School Partnership have shared resources for families, including a new weekly newsletter for parents.
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To read the FRCOG’s previous Municipal Leader COVID-19 updates:
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Posted: to General Town News on Mon, May 4, 2020
Updated: Mon, May 4, 2020
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Franklin County Multi-Agency Coordination Center
Common Operating Picture
Thursday April 30, 2020
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Please note that this document is intended For Official Use Only to further cooperation and coordination across Franklin County towns.
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From the FC-MACC Manager:
As we begin to see a plateau of positive COVID cases in the County, and PPE requests are slowing down accordingly, the MACC will cease operating out of Greenfield's EOC effective close of business 5/1. We will continue to operate virtually until it appears the communities no longer have a need for our services. You can still reach us at the numbers and email address below until we officially demobilize.
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ABOUT THE MACC
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The primary goal of the MACC is to create a common operating picture across the 26 towns in Franklin County and the healthcare facilities that serve us all, as information sharing is so critical.
PLEASE NOTE: The MACC does not have any personal protective equipment on hand.
If you need further assistance feel free to send us an email at FranklinCountyMACC@frcog.org or call us at (413) 768-7518 or (413) 768-4127. Visit our webpage at https://tinyurl.com/FCMACC.
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MACC Coordination Meetings
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During the prior week's coordination meeting, Greenfield's Police Chief Haigh brought to our attention the need for a temporary facility to process "Section 35's," which is a section of MA law that allows a qualified person to request a court order requiring someone to be civilly committed and treated involuntarily for an alcohol or substance use disorder. With the courthouse being closed, police departments were forced to hold Section 35 cases in their holding cells until they could be processed each morning, potentially unnecessarily exposing other inmates and officers to COVID-19.
In a follow up meeting, the Chief and Sheriff discussed the future of arraignments and other holding procedures that the Trial Court would not be able to assist with in the short and potentially long term, as well. These impacts would be felt countywide, for all police departments.
The MACC worked with Greenfield's logistics section and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office to rent a trailer that will be placed at the Sheriff's Office. The trailer, complete with electricity, HVAC, and internet access will provide a place for a court clerk to operate from to process these cases quickly. The trailer is expected to arrive on May 1st.
Other items discussed this week were:
- Getting word out about the new eviction and foreclosure moratorium and resources to help those who are unemployed to pay their rent.
- Planning for flu clinics with social distancing in mind.
- Concerns about protocols for child care centers and summer camps when they are allowed to reopen.
- How Franklin County can have input on the State's Reopening Board.
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Town Information
Emergency Management | Public Health | Police | Fire
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Latest City and Town EOC information
Below is a brief synopsis of the data being reported.
?Towns Reporting - Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leyden, New Salem, Montague, Northfield, Orange, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, Whately
Towns with an Open EOC - Ashfield, Bernardston, Erving, Greenfield
Towns that have declared a state of emergency - Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Hawley, Heath, Leyden, New Salem, Montague, Northfield, Orange, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, Whately
For a more detailed view of the information as of April 30, 2020 CLICK HERE.
Responsibly Reopening Town Hall
We had a request from one of our Franklin County towns to see if anyone has sample policies or procedures they could share on how they're intending to responsibly reopen their town halls once it is safe to do so. While no one has responded that they have anything written yet, we did hear that the MA Interlocal Insurance Agency (MIIA) is working on guidance in collaboration with the CDC and MA Dept. of Public Health. For a list of items to consider when writing policies, click here.
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Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
The same service and programming changes as reported last week continue. The FCSO has sufficient PPE for the next month and has secured a supply chain to acquire more in the future. FCSO has sufficient testing kits. There are 0 confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst inmates. There remain three confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst staff. At least 15 other staff have been tested and all were negative.
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Service changes include:
- Behavioral health groups within the jail have stopped due to social distancing
- Incarcerated clients are completing individual work on their recovery with workbooks which are reviewed by staff
- Post-release reentry support occurs over the phone
- Staff continue to support clients in navigating resources and finding shelter
- Regional lockup is on hold
- House of Correction is accepting new inmates through courts only
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Franklin County MACC - COVID-19 Dashboard
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The FC-MACC Dashboard, created by FRCOG, is meant to provide important information at your fingertips. It contains a map of COVID-19 cases in the County and other COVID statistics. It is updated throughout the week so check back for updated information.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DASHBOARD
In the corner of each square there are buttons to add or remove the layers of data you are interested in and one to see the legend. You can also click directly on the map to get information about any particular community.
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Data Reporting Changes: The MACC will be reporting COVID case data as follows: Weekly cumulative town cases are drawn from the DPH website, unless corrected by local public health. All communities with five or fewer cases are reported as having 0-5 cases. Communities with more than five cases will continue to be grouped by color, for the purposes of our “heat map,” but will also have the actual number of positive lab-tested cases added to the data shared. Where available, we will also share number of patients recovered, people in isolation and quarantine, and numbers deceased, as reported by the local health department. Communities with no data listed have chosen not to share this data at this time.
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Primary care practices report an increasing number of patients with COVID-19, as anticipated. All practices are open for business, both online and in-person for urgent care. Some specialty care is currently unavailable (dental hygiene, optometry). Elective procedures at the hospital continue to be unavailable, per Governor’s order. Healthcare staffing is stable and urgent care visits are available. Providers believe that the peak numbers may be behind us, and we are now in a long, steady, plateau of cases.
Please help the healthcare sector get the word out that safe emergency care is possible and people experiencing a health crisis are urged to come in. There are serious concerns in the medical community that many people may be avoiding getting treatment for important health issues like stroke, diabetes, and heart disease.
COVID Case Report for Franklin County
As expected, numbers in Franklin County continue to trend upward, steadily. Some points of good news to share are that there are now over 115 people in the county that have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have recovered, with a much larger number recovered who were never diagnosed by a lab. There continue to be real concerns and significant State attention to protecting the residents and staff at long term care and skilled nursing facilities and people experiencing homelessness.
PPE
Needed:
- Gowns for personal care attendants
- Tyvek suits or back-tying gowns for emergency dental surgery at the Community Health Center of Franklin County.
- PPE for Community Action staff who are still interacting with people in need (e.g. food pantry workers)
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Testing Information
Access to testing for Franklin County residents continues to expand. As of this week, the Baystate Franklin Medical Center drive-through site is available to anyone (including children) who has symptoms, from any medical practice, including first responders. Tests must be ordered by medical practices. Click here for more information. Overall, as testing has increased, the percent of positive diagnoses has gone down, which is good news for our region.
The Community Health Center of Franklin County is planning a drive-through testing facility at its Orange site to be operational late next week.
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Prepared by Debra L. McLaughlin, Coordinator, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region
Summary of Themes
Below is a summary of key themes based on the above meetings and other outreach OTF has been a part of this week during the period of April 23 – April 29, 2020.
1) Increased reports of fatal and non-fatal opioid and other drug overdoses in the region, especially in the North Quabbin remains a significant concern.
- Area hospital, EMS, and community health center are not seeing an uptick in drug overdoses but the MA Department of Children and Families, and the courts are. Other community reports of overdoses have been noted via community coalitions and task forces.
2) Increased reports of deaths by suicide and suicide attempts.
3) Increased reports of individuals in mental health crisis. Crisis services calls are down but have the capacity to respond to calls. There are reports of people feeling “fatalistic” that they will get COVID-19, no matter what they do.
4) Increased reports of calls by families to human services agencies for supports and services when Governor Baker announced school and non-essential child care closures until June 30.
5) Access to services for the most vulnerable and those who are unhoused continues to be a challenge across the region.
- May be a challenge to increase port-a-potty and public bathroom access in some communities due to past vandalism and damage.
- Recommended exploration of installing hand sanitizing stations along bus routes.
NOTE: OTF has sharps containers in our office, with their inserts, that we could distribute for free to any municipality.
6) Uneven access to PPE, telephonic and telehealth services due to lack of phones, SIM cards, other technology (e.g. computers) and Wi-Fi for program participants and patients remain an issue.
- OTF created a resource sheet of available public Wi-Fi hotspots to share broadly in the community, which can be found here.
7) Detoxes, residential treatment, and supportive sober housing facilities remain generally open, with increased COVID-19 screening procedures for staff and residents. Separate areas are being set-aside to isolate individuals, as needed.
8) DCF continues to report the removal of children due to opioid and substance misuse and overdoses.
9) PPE for non-medical human service providers continues to be an issue.
10) Some agencies reporting that staff have been exposed to COVID-19 as a result of their work and are or have been in quarantine.
- Staffing shortages affecting coverage for overnight, direct care evening and weekend services but being covered by management staff.
CLICK HERE for the full OTF report.
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Announcements | Webinars | Open Source Information | Useful Links
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The MEMA Recovery Unit would like to make you aware of several upcoming FEMA PA trainings. Please be aware that they are FEMA presentations and technical questions or issues should be directed to FEMA through the link at the bottom of the notice.
FEMA Public Assistance Training Webinars
Applicant Basics Webinar Topics:
- Register and set up a new Grants Portal account
- Submit a Request for Public Assistance (RPA)
- Upload documents and create tiles
Audience:
- State/Local/Tribal/Territorial (SLTT) governments
- Private Non-Profit (PNP) entities
- FEMA staff
*EDT: Eastern Daylight Time | CDT: Central Daylight Time | MDT: Mountain Daylight Time | PDT: Pacific Daylight Time
*All sessions are 1 hour in duration.
To join a webinar, click the corresponding link above at the designated time and enter the unique meeting password.
Please sign in with your full name, organization, state, tribe, and/or territory for tracking purposes. Sessions may be recorded.
If you have trouble logging in, try going to www.zoom.us. Choose “Join Meeting,” enter the meeting ID and then the password when prompted. You may sign into Zoom as a guest. Your Zoom log-in information is unique from your Grants Portal log-in information.
If you have questions, please email FEMA-Recovery-PA-Grants@fema.dhs.gov or call the Grants Manager/Portal Hotline at (866) 337-8448.
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APPLICATION PERIOD OPENS NEXT WEEK FOR $100 MILLION in Assistance to Firefighters Grant - COVID-19 Supplemental Program
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available for $100 million in funding for the Fiscal Year 2020 Assistance to Firefighters Grant – COVID-19 Supplemental Program (AFG-S) to help provide personal protective equipment to firefighters and first responders who are managing emergencies during the Coronavirus pandemic.
FEMA will begin accepting AFG-S applications at 8 a.m. ET on Tuesday April 28, 2020. The application period will close at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, May 15, 2020, so start planning your application now by reviewing the NOFO and technical assistance tools below. These tools were produced to help potential applicants begin to plan their AFG-S applications ahead of the application period. These documents can be viewed on the AFGP website at FY 2020 AFG-S COVID-19 Guidance Documents and/or downloaded to your computer.
AFG Grants Help Desk: If you have questions about the technical assistance tools listed above, call or e-mail the AFG Grants Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960; or firegrants@fema.dhs.gov. The AFG Help Desk is open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Apr 30, 2020
Updated: Thu, Apr 30, 2020
Send in your applications for mail-in ballots for the June 15th town election
Every household in Colrain should have gotten a mailing from the Town Clerk containing information about the Census, COVID19, and a a 2020 MUNICIPAL ELECTION EARLY BALLOT APPLICATION. Please send in your applications to vote by mail. You may copy, print from the Secretary of States website, or call the Town Clerk for more copies of applications if needed.
Thanks, Eileen
Colrain Town Clerk
413-624-7100
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Apr 22, 2020
Updated: Wed, Apr 22, 2020
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Municipal Leader COVID-19 Update #5
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Timely updates on the public health crisis for Boards of Health, Selectboards, Town Administrators, First Responders and Emergency Managers.
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Helpful Links:
- For the latest Franklin County MACC situation report click here
- For the latest COVID Command Center situation reports click here
- For the COG’s COVID Municipal Resources Page click here.
- For the Region 1 Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition, click here
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THIS THURSDAY: DLS HOSTS MUNICIPAL FINANCE UPDATE: RECENT CHANGES AND IDEAS FOR FURTHER RELIEF
On Thursday, April 23rd at 11:00 AM, Sean Cronin, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Revenue and Director of the Division of Local Services will present recent changes and flexibility granted to cities and towns, and consider other ideas for providing further relief. To join the meeting, click:
https://zoom.us/j/91084452058?wd=cVJiVitIb1dJQUQvcWE2Q2F5Z1B4QT09 he Meeting ID is: 910 8445 2058 and the Password is: 012923. You can also call in at +16468769923,,91084452058#
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EXECUTIVE ORDER /LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:
New Grocery Store Guidance
Grocery stores are a vitally important business during this crisis. Concern about how to protect their functions and their workers, as well as shoppers at the stores, has resulted in a new Executive Order limiting occupancy to 40% of a store’s normal maximum, including employees. Have a question about the occupancy number currently for a store in your town? The COVID Command Center suggests asking local Building Inspectors.
H4647: Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures
This new law, which will be in effect for 120 days or 45 days after the current state of emergency is lifted, places a moratorium on all phases of tenant evictions; allows landlords to use last month rent deposits to cover current expenses; protects homeowners from foreclosure; and requires lenders to offer a mortgage forbearance. For more https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H4647.
Hemp Production
This popular Franklin County crop was designated as essential business by MDAR. Click here to review the memo.
Essential and Non-Essential Services
The state has a continuously updated list of specific questions regarding what services are or are not considered essential: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-essential-services-faqs#general-questions---essential-services-related
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Message from the MAPHCO Joint Information System:
Boards of Health interested in sharing information with residents can find a Word version of the MAPHCO weekly tips for communication here.
Buoy, 211, and Community Resource Line
Here are some public resources local boards of health should know about:
- The first is Buoy, which is a Coronavirus prevention and treatment website. The site walks you through a set of questions about your symptoms and helps you determine if you should seek medical attention or testing. For more information, visit www.buoyhealth.com.
- The second is Mass211. According to their website, “the Massachusetts 211 system is a call center that connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community.” Mass211 is happy to receive information from local communities to enhance their database so they have accurate and up to date information to give to callers. This is a good number to give to residents to find out about what services your town is providing during COVID-19 and saves you the step of setting up and staffing your own hotline. For more information, visit www.mass211.org.
- If you prefer a more local approach to 211, the Greenfield emergency operations center is staffing a community resource line M – F 9 AM – 5 PM, available to all residents in Franklin County. You can refer callers to 413-775-6411.
Staying Safe in Warmer Weather
MAPHCO urges local boards of health to share messages about physical distancing during outdoor recreation. Click here for sample language.
Members of the CPHS Health District are addressing this through the posting of signs at trailheads and parks. See below for an image.
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MACC UPDATE
The Franklin County Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) has opened to help serve the response needs of Franklin County communities during the COVID-19 pandemic response. The primary goal of the MACC is to create a common operating picture across the 26 towns in Franklin County, as information sharing is so critical. MACC Situation reports will be issued once weekly and will provide information on regional and municipal response and needs. Visit the MACC web page to read the latest report and review the data dashboard. FRCOG hosts weekly coordination meetings to address needs identified by each report and divide up responsibility for addressing them.
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FRCOG STATUS UPDATES
From issuing highway bids to finalizing municipal vulnerability plans to assessing the impact of the pandemic on local businesses, FRCOG staff are busy across the county. For a summary of FRCOG’s COVID response and impacts on the agency, click here.
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FIRST RESPONDER PPE
The HMCC and local Emergency Management Directors continue to work tirelessly to find personal protective equipment for Franklin County’s first responders. A recent success was the regional distribution of the Commonwealth’s five masks per first responder last week.
The CARES Act authorizes $100M for FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds for the purchase of personal protective equipment and related supplies for our nation’s first responders. A new AFG application period will be opening soon. Please be on the lookout for that announcement which will include additional details.
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More Resources to Share with Your Residents
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Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19:
While the health crisis is a major challenge to Franklin County, the economic impacts of this outbreak are also already severe. Click here to learn more about resources for businesses.
Help for Families
This is a particularly difficult time for many people in our region, with the stressors of unemployment, school cancellation, and social distancing piling up. Some important resources you can share with residents include:
- The Greenfield Safe Schools Safe Streets Coalition (4SC) and Gill-Montague Community School Partnership have shared resources for families, including a new weekly newsletter for parents.
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To read the FRCOG’s previous Municipal Leader COVID-19 updates:
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Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Apr 22, 2020
Updated: Wed, Apr 22, 2020
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Franklin County Multi-Agency Coordination Center
Common Operating Picture
Thursday April 16, 2020
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Please note that this document is intended For Official Use Only to further cooperation and coordination across Franklin County towns.
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From the FC-MACC Manager:
Thanks again for your continued support of Franklin County by submitting your information.
You may have noticed that we did not issue a sitrep on Tuesday as scheduled. We have found that there is little change in reports over the course of a few days, so we have changed from a semi-weekly schedule to a weekly one. You should now expect to receive a report from us every Thursday. This also means we’ll be contacting you less frequently to report in, which I’m sure you all will appreciate!
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ABOUT THE MACC
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The primary goal of the MACC is to create a common operating picture across the 26 towns in Franklin County and the healthcare facilities that serve us all, as information sharing is so critical.
PLEASE NOTE: The MACC does not have any personal protective equipment on hand.
If you need further assistance feel free to send us an email at FranklinCountyMACC@frcog.org or call us at (413) 768-7518 or (413) 768-4127. Visit our webpage at https://tinyurl.com/FCMACC.
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MACC Coordination Meetings
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MACC staff are now meeting weekly with representatives from the Opioid Task Force, the Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, the City of Greenfield, and Baystate Franklin Medical Center to review information reported in the weekly sitrep. Opportunities for collaboration and coordination are discussed and “assigned” to the appropriate entity for follow up.
From this week’s meeting, there were two follow up items. The first was for the hospital and the Community Health Center of Franklin County (CHCFC) to touch base on PPE needs in regards to emergency dental surgery. While it was reported that the CHCFC was in dire need of face masks in order to perform emergency dental surgery, the hospital reported being in frequent contact with the CHCFC and could supply them with masks if necessary. This may be just a matter of rumor control, but if that’s a role the MACC can play, that’s not a bad thing.
The second follow up item was the lack of porta potties and hand-washing stations for the homeless in communities other than Greenfield. The MACC made a connection between the City of Greenfield, which already has a contract with a vendor, and the Opioid Task Force so other towns may install porta potties and hand-washing stations if necessary.
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Town Information
Emergency Management | Public Health | Police | Fire
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IMPORTANT: Guidance for COVID-19 Address Access for First Responders
CLICK HERE TO READ THE MEMO
Latest City and Town EOC information
Below is a brief synopsis of the data being reported.
?Towns Reporting - Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Leyden, New Salem, Montague, Northfield, Orange, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, Whately
Towns with an Open EOC - Ashfield, Bernardston, Erving, Greenfield, New Salem, Warwick
Towns that have declared a state of emergency - Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Leyden, New Salem, Montague, Northfield, Orange, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, Whately
For a more detailed view of the information CLICK HERE.
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Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office reports that the House of Correction is currently adequately staffed. Three staff have tested positive for COVID-19. There are no reported cases of COVID-19 among inmates. The facility has sufficient PPE for now.
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Service changes include:
- Behavioral health groups within the jail have stopped due to social distancing
- Incarcerated clients are completing individual work on their recovery with workbooks which are reviewed by staff
- Post-release reentry support occurs over the phone
- Staff continue to support clients in navigating resources and finding shelter
- Regional lockup is on hold
- House of Correction is accepting new inmates through courts only
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Franklin County MACC - COVID-19 Dashboard
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The FC-MACC Dashboard, created by FRCOG, is meant to provide important information at your fingertips. It contains a map of COVID-19 cases in the County and other COVID statistics. It is updated throughout the week so check back for updated information.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DASHBOARD
In the corner of each square there are buttons to add or remove the layers of data you are interested in and one to see the legend. You can also click directly on the map to get information about any particular community.
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Data Reporting Changes: As of this week, the MACC will be reporting numbers with greater specificity, but in conformance with MA DPH standards. All communities with five or fewer cases will be reported as having 0-5 cases. Communities with more than five cases will continue to be grouped by color, for the purposes of our “heat map,” but will also have the actual number of positive lab-tested cases added to the data shared. This data will be drawn from the State’s town-level numbers released each Wednesday. Where possible we will also share number of patients recovered, people in quarantine, and numbers deceased, as reported by the local health department.
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Emergency Medical Services
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Reporting EMS agencies are Colrain Ambulance, Northfield EMS, Turners Falls Fire/EMS, South County EMS.
- They have one employee who is in quarantine due to community exposure.
- Some of the reporting agencies are reporting they may be running short on PPE.
If you are a fire-based EMS agency that needs to request PPE, please contact your local emergency management director and ask them to put a request in through MEMA.
If you are with an EMS agency that is not fire-based, go to the Region 1 HMCC webpage by clicking HERE. Scroll down to the resource request process instructions.
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Primary Care providers report a steady state this week, and high levels of surge preparedness. The Community Health Center of Franklin County (CHCFC) is seeing an increase in daily sick visits; Valley Medical Group (VMG) is not. All reporting primary care practices have adequate staffing at this time. All primary care practitioners are providing patient care by telehealth (video or telephone). Both VMG and CHCFC have developed respiratory care units with dedicated teams, entrances, PPE, etc. to see patients who may have COVID. All medical practices report significant numbers of patients with suspected but not lab-confirmed COVID-19 infection. Optometry and dental services are available for emergencies only, due to the risk of infection and the level of PPE needed to address it.
Healthcare Provider PPE Needs:
- CHCFC has solved some of its PPE needs, but continues to be interested in swapping front-closing gowns for the back-tying ones for when they need to do emergency dental surgery. Contact Jessica Calabrese at Jessica.Calabrese@chcfc.org if you are able to help.
- LifePath continues to report a significant need for PPE for the 482 community members in our county who need the help of personal care attendants for their daily living. Each person has, on average, 3-4 PCAs, who each need PPE to protect themselves, their clients, and their families. Click here for a number of people, by town. Contact Barbara Bodzin at bbodzin@lifepathma.org if you can offer to help those in your community.
- The House of Correction will soon be in need of N-95 masks for its medical division.
- Trailside Health in Shelburne Falls has run out of N-95 masks.
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Testing Information
For members of the public:
Baystate Franklin’s drive-through testing is currently available to those patients of either Baystate Medical Practices or Valley Medical Group who have spoken with their primary care providers and have an order for the test. Although there are still not enough testing supplies (swabs, reagents) for widespread testing, all primary care providers are also able to offer at least some testing at this time to those whose illness meets the criteria for a test.
For Baystate Health employees: Testing in Springfield at Baystate Health is available.
For first responders: Testing at the Big E in Agawam is available. Click here to read how to get tested.
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Prepared by Debra L. McLaughlin, Coordinator, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region
Purpose
To provide a summary of the impact of COVID-19 upon entities providing services to those impacted by opioid and other substance misuse in Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region. (Note: We are aware that the scope of the MACC is restricted to the 26 towns of Franklin County.)
Overview
Officially declared as a pandemic on March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization, Coronavirus: COVID-19 and the required actions to stem its community spread, is exacerbating the conditions that contribute to the opioid epidemic. Franklin County and North Quabbin local entities and their leaders are simultaneously managing two public health emergencies.
On March 16, 2020, the Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region initiated a range of actions to address COVID-19.
CLICK HERE for the full OTF report.
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Announcements | Webinars | Open Source Information | Useful Links
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Franklin County RV Haven for Health Care Warriors
The Franklin County RV Haven for Health Care Warriors group matches frontline healthcare workers in the Franklin County region with RVs to stay in during the COVID crisis to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus within the home. The City of Greenfield has made arrangements with the Franklin County Agricultural Society for use of the Franklin County Fairgrounds for these RVs. For more information, contact Greenfield’s Community Resource Line at 413-775-6411.
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Community resource line - The Greenfield EOC and MACC have teamed up to provide a resource line for Franklin County residents. In addition to 211, residents may be referred to 413-775-6411 for answers to questions about COVID-19 or to find a list of resources available to support them during this event.
CLICK HERE for a flyer to distribute.
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RESPONDING TO FOOD INSECURITY DURING THE COVID CRISIS
An Information Session for Municipal Leaders and Officials
FRIDAY APRIL 17TH at 11AM – WEB AND DIAL INFORMATION IS BELOW
Dear Municipal Leaders and Officials:
Please join MAPC this Friday morning at 11am for an information session on how cities and towns can support families and individuals experiencing food insecurity in these difficult times. We will hear from federal and state officials, such as Congressman Jim McGovern, a national leader on fighting hunger, as well as key advocates and providers from Project Bread and the Greater Boston Food Bank. Many cities and towns have deployed innovative solutions to provide food to school age children or ramp up local food bank provision, and we would ask communities that have pursued solutions or ideas to be prepared to share them in advance or on the call so they can inform the discussion.
Hope you can join the conversation Friday – and please share the invite with any members of your local teams. The information to join the session is below.
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Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99951960358?pwd=dXBpMEVSY2V0WXdjZFJZcWZuMlUxZz09
Meeting ID: 999 5196 0358
Password: 014150
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,99951960358# US (Chicago)
+16468769923,,99951960358# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
Meeting ID: 999 5196 0358
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/azBo3r8fr
And for more local food resources: go to http://bit.ly/FCFoodResourcesList.
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First responder quarantine facilities - Fire chiefs in Hampshire County have made arrangements with a hotel in Hadley to provide rooms for first responders who are self-quarantining and don't want to bring anything home to their families. Contact Chief Michael Spanknebel for more information at spanknebelm@hadleyma.org or Chief Michael Mason at masonm@hadleyma.gov. If anyone is interested in a Greenfield option for first responder quarantining, contact Chief Robert Strahan at robert.strahan@greenfield-ma.gov.
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First responder recovery facilities - The Hampden County Sheriff's Department has made arrangements to open a First Responder Recovery Home in Ludlow for those first responders who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and cannot safely go home to recover. For more information, contact the Sheriff's Department at 413-858-0801 or 413-858-0819.
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Franklin Regional Council of Governments | 12 Olive Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301-3351
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Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Apr 16, 2020
Updated: Thu, Apr 16, 2020
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Municipal Leader COVID-19 Update #4
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Timely updates on the public health crisis for Boards of Health, Selectboards, Town Administrators, First Responders and Emergency Managers.
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New Executive Orders Impact Grocery Stores, Campgrounds
New Grocery Store Guidance
Grocery stores are a vitally important business during this crisis. Concern about how to protect their functions and their workers, as well as shoppers at the stores, has resulted in a new Executive Order limiting occupancy to 40% of a store’s normal maximum, including employees. Have a question about the occupancy number currently for a store in your town? The COVID Command Center suggests asking local Building Inspectors.
Campgrounds / RV Parks
The state has clarified that RV Parks which house people year-round are considered essential and may stay open. People who live there year-round may continue living there. However, campgrounds/RV parks, etc., that are only open seasonally are not considered essential and may not open. This includes situations where people rent the space year-round and leave a vehicle there in the off-season. These are not considered second-homes and the sites may not be opened for the season until the order on essential businesses is rescinded.
Essential and Non-Essential Services:
The state has a continuously updated list of specific questions regarding what services are or are not considered essential: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-essential-services-faqs#general-questions---essential-services-related
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Message from the MAPHCO Joint Information System:
Boards of Health interested in sharing information with residents can find a Word version of the MAPHCO weekly tips for communication here.
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Is social distancing working? People in in our communities are staying home, washing their hands, and wearing facial coverings when they must go out. The state and healthcare institutions are adding testing capacity, and local public health is working tirelessly to stop the spread of COVID-19. But no one wants to do this forever. We all want to know: when can we return to normal life?
The good news is that these preventive measures are helping to “flatten the curve.” Unfortunately we have not seen the peak of the pandemic yet. The state estimates the peak will fall in mid-April, but some experts believe that it will arrive later in Western MA (May or June). This means that we must encourage our citizens to continue aggressive preventive measures to spread the infections over a longer period of time. Deborah Birx, Coronavirus Response Coordinator for the White House Task Force, said on April 8 “What’s really important is that people don’t turn early signs of hope into releasing from the 30 days to stop the spread. . . . If people start going out again and socially interacting, we could see an acute second wave really early.”
So, citizens and public officials need to do all we can to reduce the daily case growth rate and stretch out the curve. By doing so, we can save lives.
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Nursing Home On-Site Testing and Family Hotline
As cases of COVID-19 infection in the residents and staff of long term care facilities across the state expand, there are two important updates this week:
First, the procedures for requesting onsite testing through the National Guard have changed, and have been expanded to more kinds of facilities. Please click here to read the new guidance.
Second, families with loved ones in nursing homes in Massachusetts can use a new hotline to get information and resources, coordinated across state agencies. Call anytime, 9 AM to 5 PM, 7 days a week: 617-660-5399?
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BOH Message Exchange
Looking for language to use in your Board of Health Facebook page, mailings, or Reverse 911 messages? Interested in what other communities are sending out to Airbnb hosts or second home owners about the Governor’s Executive Order on out-of-state visitors?
?Check out the new Board of Health Message Exchange at the FRCOG’s COVID-19 Municipal Resources page. Have a message to share? Email it to admin@frcog.org and we will upload it to the Exchange!
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News from the Department of Public Health
Weekly Conference Calls for Local Boards of Health and the State
- DPH continues to hold statewide calls on Tuesdays at 3:00 PM. These calls have DPH staff from a variety of departments available for answering questions including Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Health. The number for this call is 888-390-5007 and the participant code is 6137873.
- The Governor’s Command Center also holds a weekly call with Boards of Health every Friday at 9:00 AM. Boards of Health are asked to only have one person dial in as phone lines are limited. Dial in information is: 888-390-5007 with Passcode 4847016.
- In addition, DPH has been holding a weekly call related to MAVEN that the public health nurses have been participating in.
State Contact Tracing Initiative
Over the next few weeks the COVID Command Center’s new Contact Tracing Collaborative will go live. Details are still in the works, but the collaborative plans to provide surge support to public health nurses across the Commonwealth for the important work of contact tracing – identifying everyone who has been exposed to each person diagnosed with COVID-19, and reaching out to them to explain the need to quarantine, and how to do it.
Board of Health Crisis Response Grants
All local Boards of Health have access to state COVID-19 Emergency Response funding to support public health nursing and risk communication, as well as some supports for persons under quarantine or isolation orders. For more information on the allowable costs, how to report Town spending, and more, click here.
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Attorney General’s Vaping Advisory
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office is asking for help in getting the word out about the increased danger of COVID-19 infection for those who use e-cigarettes, and reminding people about quitting resources they can access from home. Click here for flyer to distribute.
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Cooperative Public Health Service Health District Update for Member Towns:
Public Health Nursing Update: The CPHS Public Health Nursing Team is hard at work reaching out to and supporting people with a COVID diagnosis and their contacts in the 18 towns they are covering. As of 4/13, we have a total of 20 (18 lab-tested and 2 clinically diagnosed) COVID-19 cases. 12 people have recovered, 7 are still in isolation, and one has passed away. 16 people in the are under quarantine, and 20 people have been released from quarantine after showing no signs of illness for 14 days. We have arranged for a number of school nurses to serve as additional surge capacity in our communities, and have systems in place to take them up on their kind offers of assistance. The nurses are grateful for all the wonderful work at the community level to support both patients and other community members who are in distress.
First Responder Data Sharing: We continue to receive questions about how we can better protect first responders visiting homes of potentially COVID-positive residents during the pandemic. The DPH Commissioner’s Order requires us to only share addresses with emergency dispatch, and HIPPA exemptions for emergencies that do exist for healthcare entities do not apply to local public health nurses.
Taking these legal limitations into account, we have developed a system in collaboration with the Mass State Police Shelburne Control to effectively provide critically needed information in a timely manner to first responders:
- The address for any new case identified in the 18 towns served by the FRCOG’s Public Health Nursing Team is shared with Shelburne Control within the first hour. As we learn the addresses of close contacts of that patient, those addresses are added as well.
- All Police Chiefs are able to query the Shelburne Control system and get the active addresses for their community.
- Fire, Police, and EMS who are dispatched to an address will be notified by Shelburne Control if the address they are responding to is on the list. If the call is originating from another dispatch, dispatchers will find out if the caller/address was screened, prior to sending the call out for response.
- Fire and EMS who are responding to addresses for non-emergency calls that are not routed through Shelburne Control are encouraged to call Dispatch and check the address.
Please note that at this point Franklin County is experiencing widespread community transmission, and many cases of COVID-19 exist in the community without a lab test. The fact that an address is NOT in the Shelburne Control system is not a protection for first responders, and the FRCOG strongly urges all first responders to wear PPE on all calls.
Towns currently served by the FRCOG Public Health Nursing Team: Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Conway, Colrain, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Leyden, Monroe, Northfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Warwick, and Wendell.
Health Agent Update: In the past week CPHS Health Agents continued working with Boards of Health to enforce the new Executive Orders from Governor Baker. Agents contacted and/or visited all retail food outlets to check-on their operations and procedures are asking them to follow the applicable guidelines written and issued for grocery stores. As the weather warms, Agents are getting guidance to food outlets to prevent people from utilizing outdoor dining areas.
We sent out letters to all MA Dept of Revenue (DOR) listed short-term rentals in our towns, except Buckland, who had already sent letters. Our Boards of Health are working diligently to keep up with the constantly changing landscape, and the staff is working to assist the Boards in any way they need assistance. In other news, CPHS Health Agents are continuing work, where possible, on Septic System Inspections, percolation tests, well permits, plan reviews, enforcement, as well as continuing to update and improve the CPHS on-line permitting system.
Park and Trail Signs: New social distancing signs for parks and trails have been ordered and will be available for CPHS Towns on or near April 17.
Oversight Board Meeting: We hope to see you online on April 23!
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More Resources to Share with Your Residents
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Help for Families during the Stay at Home Order
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This is a particularly difficult time for many people in our region, with the stressors of unemployment, school cancellation, and social distancing piling up. Some important resources you can share with residents include:
- The Greenfield Safe Schools Safe Streets Coalition (4SC) and Gill-Montague Community School Partnership have shared resources for families on: talking with children about COVID-19, stress and anxiety, educational resources for kids while schools are closed, volunteer opportunities, and more!
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Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19:
While the health crisis is a major challenge to Franklin County, the economic impacts of this outbreak are also already severe. Click here to learn more about resources for businesses.
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Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Apr 14, 2020
Updated: Tue, Apr 14, 2020
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Franklin County Multi-Agency Coordination Center
Common Operating Picture
Friday April 10, 2020
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Please note that this document is intended For Official Use Only to further cooperation and coordination across Franklin County towns.
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From the FC-MACC Manager:
Thanks again for your continued support of Franklin County by submitting your information.
You may be wondering what we are doing with all this data. The main goal is to look for trends in how the County is responding to COVID-19 and be able to anticipate your needs. We also hope that by you having the information you can learn best practices from your neighbors, reach out to them if you think they need assistance, or reach out for assistance for your own community. If you need the MACC to help in anyway, such as making connections or finding assistance for your community, please let us know.
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ABOUT THE MACC
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The primary goal of the MACC is to create a common operating picture across the 26 towns in Franklin County and the healthcare facilities that serve us all, as information sharing is so critical.
PLEASE NOTE: The MACC does not have any personal protective equipment on hand. PPE requests should continue to be made directly to MEMA through WebEOC depending on the nature of your organization.
If you need further assistance feel free to send us an email at FranklinCountyMACC@frcog.org or call us at (413) 768-7518 or (413) 768-4127. Visit our webpage at https://tinyurl.com/FCMACC.
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Town Information
Emergency Management | Public Health | Police | Fire
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Latest City and Town EOC information
We have been gathering a lot of information in the past two days. Below is a brief synopsis.
?Towns Reporting - Ashfield, Bernardston, Charlemont, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Heath, Leyden, New Salem, Montague, Northfield, Orange, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, Whately
Towns with an Open EOC - Ashfield, Bernardston, Erving, New Salem
Towns that have declared a state of emergency - Ashfield, Bernardston, Charlemont, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Heath, Leyden, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, Whately
For a more detailed view of the information CLICK HERE.
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Franklin County MACC - COVID-19 Dashboard
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The FC-MACC Dashboard, created by Ryan Clary - FRCOG senior GIS specialist, is meant to provide important information at your fingertips. It contains a map of COVID-19 cases in the County and other COVID statistics.It is updated on the same day the Franklin County Common Operating Picture Report is sent out, Tuesday and Friday of each week.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DASHBOARD
In the corner of each square there are buttons to add or remove the layers of data you are interested in and one to see the legend. You can also click directly on the map to get information about any particular community.
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COVID-19 Cases in Franklin County: MACC data from healthcare and public health indicates that state-reported laboratory cases of COVID-19 continue to increase steadily in our region. In addition, medical providers reported the presence of numerous residents who are presumed to be infected, and have been instructed to self-isolate, but have not had an official lab test due to shortages in testing in the state and our region. At this point Massachusetts has widespread, active community transmission of the disease.
To strike a balance between protecting patient information and allowing towns to have an accurate picture of the severity of the situation, the MACC's situation reports will only include the number of positive COVID-19 cases per town in ranges: 0 - 5 cases, 6 - 25 cases, and so on.
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Emergency Medical Services
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Reporting EMS agencies are Colrain Ambulance, Northfield EMS, Turners Falls Fire/EMS, South County EMS.
- Three of the four have transported over 4 COVID-19 positive patients in the last two days.
- They have one employee who is in quarantine due to community exposure.
- Some of the reporting agencies are reporting they may be running short on PPE.
If you are a fire-based EMS agency that needs to request PPE, please contact your local emergency management director and ask them to put a request in through MEMA.
If you are with an EMS agency that is not fire-based, go to the Region 1 HMCC webpage by clicking HERE. Scroll down to the resource request process instructions.
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SUMMARY: As of this week, healthcare stakeholders report that Franklin County is doing an excellent job at flattening the curve. The burden of new COVID-19 infections on healthcare has been slowed to a manageable flow.
PRIMARY CARE STAFFING AND SERVICES: In general, primary care offices are up and running and seeing patients, both in person and using a wide variety of remote tools – phone, Facebook messenger, and special apps. Practices asked for help in getting the word out that they are open for business.
Some staffing cuts have been implemented in local healthcare facilities due to reduction in caseload. No staff quarantines/isolation were reported from medical partners.
DENTAL and OPTICAL PRACTICES: They are experiencing major PPE acquisition issues. The Community Health Center (CHC) has no N-95 masks. This is especially a problem for emergency dental work, which tends to keep people out of the emergency department. The CHC is also unable to transport people to appointments at this time.
No uptick in overdoses or mental health calls is being seen in the emergency department or through primary care.
TESTING: A drive-through testing facility is expected to open at the end of this week at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. NOTE: As of publication, this facility will serve those patients of Baystate Medical Practices (including Greenfield Family Medicine and the former Connecticut River Internists) who have an order for a test from their primary care providers. Most other medical practices in the region do have a limited ability to test patients and are seeing and diagnosing instances of COVID-19. DPH, with support of the National Guard, is also rolling out testing in long term care facilities in Massachusetts. Additionally, a drive-through testing facility for first responders and healthcare workers has opened at the Big E in West Springfield.
?Click here to read how to get tested.
PPE: Our healthcare institutions continue to have limited supplies of PPE, but no one reported a critically low level for this sitrep, except LifePath, who called attention to an important local need: personal protective equipment for the many people in Franklin County who work as personal care attendants funded through Mass Health, and as home health aides through agencies.
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Prepared by Debra L. McLaughlin, Coordinator, Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region.
1) Access to services for the most vulnerable and those who are unhoused continues to be a challenge across the region.
- No current Franklin County capacity or plan to house the homeless who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or who may be diagnosed with COVID-19, and do not need hospital care to recover.
- Tents, sleeping bags, and pre-packaged clothing such as underwear and socks are needed.
- Challenge to determine how to get individuals clothing since the Salvation Army and other free or low-cost clothing donation sites are closed. Additional guidance is needed from the CDC about how to accept clothing donations because of potential COVID-19 surface contamination.
- Requests for PPE and other supplies remain an issue for providers.
- Water and pre-packaged, healthy snacks continue to be a need for people who are unhoused or housing insecure.
- Identifying how the Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program could be used to pay the program fees for individuals seeking supportive, supportive housing.
- Due to stay in new evictions, and suspension of the Housing Court, except for emergency cases, there are not many vacancies in housing units.
- If an eviction had been in progress before COVID-19, it can still proceed but likely action will not occur immediately.
- Individuals/families who are court-involved and need free assistance, can contact the Franklin County Justice Court Service Center at 413-775-7483 or email at mary.klaes@jud.state.ma.us.
- Mass Hire Franklin County Career Center fielding 100 calls a day for help in filing unemployment claims. They are able to provide live phone support but only for Franklin County residents.
- Mass Hire Franklin County Career Center and Harmon Personnel continue to place people in jobs, as the manufacturing sector, continues to hire. It appears that precautions are being taken by employers to keep their employees safe but more information needs to be gathered to identify what support employers need for this purpose.
- The RECOVER Project briefly opened their physical site Monday but closed again on Tuesday. All their services are now provided remotely and they have a toll free warm phone line 844-699-4325, Monday-Friday, 9 am– 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday, 9 am – 3 pm. Check their Facebook page for ongoing updates and a list of their virtual “All Recovery” meetings.
- The Living Room is open at 140 High Street in Greenfield where folks can do laundry, with soap provided, and take a shower. They are limiting the number of people who can be in the site due to safety. Please call ahead at 413-775-6760.
- The Western MA Recovery Learning Community at 20 Chapman Street, is still open for limited access to the bathroom, phone, computer during open hours: Mondays-Wednesdays 12:30 pm-3:30 pm and Fridays 1 pm-5 pm. They are handing out water, snacks, and supplies out the door, 24/7 charging station and Wi-Fi access outside. They also now have portable chargers and a few phones preloaded with minutes and data.
- Tapestry continues to provide services remotely and are eager to ensure organizations have Narcan on site.
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NOTE: OTF has sharps containers in our office, with their inserts, that we could distribute for free to any municipality.
2) Uneven access to telephonic and telehealth services due to lack of phones, SIM cards, other technology (e.g. computers) and Wi-Fi for program participants and patients remains an issue.
3) Detoxes, residential treatment, and supportive sober housing facilities remain generally open, with increased COVID-19 screening procedures for staff and residents. Separate areas are being set-aside to isolate individuals, as needed.
4) Lots of good things happening in the region, virtually and by telephone, to ensure service delivery occurs. Some highlights below:
- Two people left the Two Rivers program and found places to live.
- A variety of on-line all recovery support groups exist.
- Individuals are being placed into jobs, despite COVID-19.
- A number of employment/training programs are gearing up, despite COVID-19, especially in healthcare fields.
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Open Source Information and Useful Links
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Community resource line - The Greenfield EOC and MACC have teamed up to provide a resource line for Franklin County residents. In addition to 211, residents may be referred to 413-775-6411 for answers to questions about COVID-19 or to find a list of resources available to support them during this event.
CLICK HERE for a flyer to distribute.
First responder quarantine facilities - Fire chiefs in Hampshire County have made arrangements with a hotel in Hadley to provide rooms for first responders who are self-quarantining and don't want to bring anything home to their families. Contact Chief Michael Spanknebel for more information at spanknebelm@hadleyma.org or Chief Michael Mason at masonm@hadleyma.gov. If anyone is interested in a Greenfield option for first responder quarantining, contact Chief Robert Strahan at robert.strahan@greenfield-ma.gov.
First responder recovery facilities - The Hampden County Sheriff's Department has made arrangements to open a First Responder Recovery Home in Ludlow for those first responders who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and cannot safely go home to recover. For more information, contact the Sheriff's Department at 413-858-0801 or 413-858-0819.
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Posted: to General Town News on Fri, Apr 10, 2020
Updated: Fri, Apr 10, 2020
Latest Information from FRCOG
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Municipal Leader COVID-19 Update #3
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Timely updates on the public health crisis for Boards of Health, Selectboards, Town Administrators, First Responders and Emergency Managers
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Regional COVID Coordination Center Will Release First Situation Report Tuesday.
Franklin County's Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) will be open for business Mondays – Fridays from 8 AM to 4 PM beginning Monday, April 6. The primary goal of the MACC is to create a common operating picture across the 26 towns in Franklin County, as information sharing is so critical. The MACC will provide situational awareness statements twice a week and coordinate inter-municipal activities. The first Situation Report will be issued Tuesday, April 7. For more information, please click on the image of the flyer.?
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New Executive Orders Impact Construction, Short Term Rental, and More
In response to the growing toll of the pandemic, Governor Baker issued a number of new orders this week that:
Does your Town have questions about whether a specific business qualifies as essential? If the link above does not answer your question, you can email covid19.biz@mass.gov.
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Messages for the Public from the MAPHCO Joint Information System:
Boards of Health interested in sharing information with residents can find a Word version of the MAPHCO weekly tips for communication here. This week's topics include home cleaning and disinfection, communication with first responders, and definitions and tips for staying at home, as well as this important message:
Self-Reporting Symptoms Helps Protect Your Community
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 by lab test or by a doctor, and now have symptoms, or if you have had a high-risk exposure to COVID-19 but have no symptoms: Stay home and have no visitors to your home. Contact your Board of Health's Public Health Nurse for guidance on isolation and quarantine. Reporting to your Board of Health serves two important purposes: it ensures that any first responder coming to your home for an emergency can wear protective gear, and it will help your community make sure you get the support you need to stay home.
Some definitions:
- ISOLATION is required of persons who have symptoms and have a diagnosis of COVID-19. You will be required to stay home and have no visitors unless they are medically required and are wearing proper levels of protection. Isolation may discontinue after:
- At least 3 days have passed since recovery (defined as no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms – e.g., cough, shortness of breath) and
- At least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
- QUARANTINE is for persons who are not sick but are at high risk for having been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. The state has changed the definition of who needs to be quarantined: From today forward contacts who will be quarantined include those potentially exposed to the positive case (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) for 48 hours prior to onset of symptoms. A person in quarantine is required to stay home and monitor their temperature for 14 days. If symptoms develop, quarantine may not be lifted until the 14 days have passed and all symptoms have resolved, which may be later.
The Department of Public Health recently released an infographic covering 10 tips for managing at-home isolation or quarantine -- Please share it widely!
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Involving School Nurses in COVID-19 Response
The FRCOG's team of three Public Health Nurses monitoring and supporting those with COVID-19 for the Cooperative Public Health Service are working to coordinate school nurses interested in helping. We ask interested school nurses to register through the www.MAresponds.org website, and are maintaining a list of nurses that are ready to assist local Boards of Health as needed. Please feel free to direct inquiries to mburch@frcog.org.
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More Resources to Share with Your Residents
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Help for Families during the Stay at Home Order
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This is a particularly difficult time for many people in our region, with the stressors of unemployment, school cancellation, and social distancing piling up. Some important resources you can share with residents include:
- The Greenfield Safe Schools Safe Streets Coalition (4SC) and Gill-Montague Community School Partnership have shared resources for families on: talking with children about COVID-19, stress and anxiety, educational resources for kids while schools are closed, volunteer opportunities, and more!
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Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19:
While the health crisis is a major challenge to Franklin County, the economic impacts of this outbreak are also already severe. Click here to learn more about resources for businesses.
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Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Mar 31, 2020
Updated: Sat, Apr 4, 2020
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
As of Tuesday, March 31, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts reports 5752 cases, and there are 49 cases within Franklin County.
While the increase from last week may be unsettling, it was expected that cases in the the region would rise. Systems to identify, track, and monitor cases are in place and working. Included in these systems are measures to identify people who may be exposed, which allows us to minimize the risk of further transmission and limit the disease’s spread.
Colrain is a member of the FRCOG’s health district, the Cooperative Public Heath Service. Our town is served by the CPHS Public Health, Nurse Lisa White PhD RN, and two additional nurses who’ve recently joined staff. Lisa and her team track and monitor those ill with COVID-19 and notify local Boards of Health about cases. Additionally, they investigate, identify, and reach out any close contacts of confirmed cases. Their work includes putting in place isolation or quarantine of those ill or exposed. They take the time and care necessary to educate and explain, so people needing these measures have a full understanding of what they are being asked to do and why.
What WE can all do in the meantime is to continue social distancing and support one another in doing so:
Stay home – limit outings to those for essential needs only, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy.
Do get out to get fresh air or exercise, but avoid unnecessary contact with others when you do.
Maintain at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and others who are not in your household.
If you have underlying health issues, inquire about your local pharmacy/grocery store’s alternative hours for high risk individuals, or see if neighbors and friends can help out by making trips for you.
Continue to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, using soap and hot water when available. If soap and water are unavailable, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces: doorknobs and handles, computers, counters, phones & technology.
If you feel sick, even mildly, absolutely stay home unless you need medical care. When seeking medical care, call the provider first to describe your symptoms and let them know you’re coming in.
Visit these websites for more information and updates:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus...
Additionally, call 2-1-1 with questions – no need to wait on the line, leave a call back number and you will be contacted. There is a “Call2Talk” option if you or others you know need emotional support during this stressful time.
Text COVIDMA to 888-777 on your cellphone to receive updates and alerts from the State.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Mar 31, 2020
Updated: Tue, Mar 31, 2020
On March 30, 2020 The Colrain Selectboard Voted to Postpone the FY 21 Annual Town Meeting Until June 16, 2020. The Warrant Closing date previously established as April 6, 2020 has been revised to May 19, 2020.
Posted: to General Town News on Sun, Mar 29, 2020
Updated: Tue, Mar 31, 2020
Valuable Information From FRCOG
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Municipal Leader COVID-19 Update #2
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Timely updates on the public health crisis for Boards of Health, Selectboards, Town Administrators, First Responders and Emergency Managers
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Regional COVID Coordination Center Coming Online Monday
Franklin County’s Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC) will stand up operations for COVID-19 on Monday, March 30. A MACC is a place (virtual in this case) to bring together representatives of the primary agencies managing any emergency, across the county, to coordinate response and provide situational awareness. For this public health emergency the MACC will bring together current information from a broad spectrum of involved public health, healthcare and emergency response agencies, sectors, and institutions. The MACC will maintain a county-wide overview, encourage a coordinated response to this crisis, and disseminate situational awareness. You will receive an email from the MACC with more information once it is operational. Contact: Tracy Rogers at Emergencyprep@frcog.org.
State Emergency Response Funds for Local Public Health
During an infectious disease pandemic the local public health system has a vital role to play in containing the spread of the disease. To support this work, the Baker-Polito Administration has made funding available for all local health departments and districts. In Franklin County the FRCOG is managing those funds. A survey about needs was sent to towns, and letters are going out with information on how to access these funds. More information by clicking here.
First Responder Notification and COVID-19
Recently the Governor clarified that local public health must share the home addresses of those with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis with the official in charge of emergency dispatch for that community. COG staff have been in touch with the dispatch centers and those monitoring the MA Virtual Epidemiological Network, and have confirmed that this will happen in each community moving forward. Note: local health departments are forbidden from sharing more than the address, and from sharing the address with anyone other than emergency dispatchers, who will ensure that first responders are notified when needed. Link to the Governor’s Order.
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Resources to Share with Your Residents: Messages for the Public from the MAPHCO Joint Information System:
- Maintaining Connection and Well-Being Health While Social/Physical Distancing: A Tip Sheet for maintaining mental health and emotional well-being while settling into physical distancing practices can be found here. Further resources for managing stress and anxiety can be found here.
- What to Do if You Feel Sick: An easy to read tip sheet that presents what to do if you feel sick, and includes guidance on how to end home isolation once you feel better can be found here.
- Recommendations for Household Members Caring for Sick People in Their Household: can be found here.
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CPHS Public Health Nurses Monitoring, Supporting People with COVID-19 in Franklin County
Thanks to the emergency funds from the state, Lisa White, Regional Public Health Nurse for the FRCOG’s health district, the Cooperative Public Health Service, has added two new hourly public health nurses. Helping Lisa with the case management surge for COVID-19 quarantine and isolation orders Meg Burch and Melanie Zamojski. This team is currently covering 17 towns, with the addition of Northfield, Leverett, and Wendell to the District’s 14 member towns.
Pictured: the Public Health Nursing Team from CPHS.
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Everybody needs it, how do we get it? A PPE Process Primer
In an infectious disease outbreak, protecting frontline responders and healthcare workers who come into contact with the virus is a major priority. Everyone in our region is concerned about how to get enough masks, gowns, face shields, and gloves. There have been some changes in how the state has organized the flow of personal protective equipment (PPE) but for now, here is the summary:
- Police, fire, emergency management, and town officials should request through their town’s emergency management director, who will request from MEMA on WebEOC.
- Emergency medical services (unless they are fire-based), nursing homes, public health, and other healthcare entities should request through www.region1hmcc.org.
Note: All regional caches of PPE have been exhausted and the State does not have a stockpile. Requests flowing through MEMA or the HMCC are forwarded up to the MA Dept. of Public Health, which then requests items from the Strategic National Stockpile. Here is a link to a list of the priorities that are being used to distribute PPE.
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More Resources to Share with Your Residents
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Help for families during the Stay at Home Order
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This is a particularly difficult time for many people in our region, with the stressors of unemployment, school cancellation, and social distancing piling up. Some important resources you can share with residents include:
- The Greenfield Safe Schools Safe Streets Coalition (4SC) and Gill-Montague Community School Partnership have shared resources for families on: talking with children about COVID-19, stress and anxiety, educational resources for kids while schools are closed, volunteer opportunities, and more!
Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19:
While the health crisis is a major challenge to Franklin County, the economic impacts of this outbreak are also already severe. Click here to learn more about resources for businesses.
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Franklin Regional Council of Governments | 12 Olive Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301-3351
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Posted: to General Town News on Sat, Mar 28, 2020
Updated: Sat, Mar 28, 2020
Follow the below instructions to receive automatic updates from selected Town Departments/Boards/Committees.
1. Scroll to the bottom of the Web-site Home page,
2. Click on "Contact Us"
3. Fill out the informational form.
4. Select from the menu the Dept./Board/Committee or General News you wish to receive updates from.
Posted: to General Town News on Fri, Mar 27, 2020
Updated: Fri, Mar 27, 2020
ORDER EFFECTIVE TUESDAY AT NOON
Posted on: March 23, 2020 - 2:00pm
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update
Friday, March 27, 2020
Governor Baker Orders All Non-Essential Businesses to Cease In-Person Operations, and Directs the Department of Public Health to Issue Stay-At-Home Advisory for Two Weeks
Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon. These businesses are encouraged to continue operations remotely.
Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period. Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible. This is an advisory and not a requirement.
Go to https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-charlie-baker-orders-all-non-essential-businesses-to-cease-in-person-operation to read this morning’s Press Release from the Governor’s Office, which contains links to the full list of categories of “COVID-19 Essential Services”, a copy of the Emergency Order, and a copy of Guidance of Assemblages.
This is a developing situation – please continue to check this site for updates
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Mar 25, 2020
Updated: Fri, Mar 27, 2020
The Colrain Selectboard has set April 6, 2020 (at close of business - 4:00PM) as the deadline for submission of warrant articles for inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Town Meeting warrant.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Mar 18, 2020
Updated: Wed, Mar 18, 2020
FCTS to Provide Meals for All Students Who Attend FCTS
Beginning Monday March 16th thru Tuesday April 7th , FCTS will begin delivering meals at designated drop off zones throughout Franklin County.
Dear Franklin County Technical School Families, March 15, 2020
Franklin County Technical School (FCTS) will be providing meals for all students who attend FCTS. Beginning Monday March 16th thru Tuesday April 7th , FCTS will begin delivering meals at designated drop off zones throughout Franklin County. If Franklin County Tech extends school closure beyond the above dates, FCTS will continue to provide meals. These meals will take the format of grab and go options for students to take home with them.
The following guidelines have been issued by the Department of Education in collaboration with USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provide details for approved meals during school closures to be eligible for USDA reimbursement:
- Franklin County Tech is allowed provisions to feed any enrolled students at FCTS, regardless if they qualify for free and reduced lunch.
- FCTS will not deny any person under age 18 a meal
- Meals are not allowed to be sold to adults
- At each drop off zone, students will receive a complete lunch for that day and a breakfast for the following morning. FCTS will make one drop-off per day which includes both lunch and breakfast.
- FCTS will work in collaboration with Kuzmeskus Bus Company to drop-off food to various designated areas throughout Franklin County
- FCTS cafeteria staff will prepare food each day. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), ServSafe protocols, and OSHA guidelines will be implemented during food preparation and delivery of all meals. Meals will meet all temperature guidelines.
The following will be designated drop-off points with approximate times.
Bus 1: Most lunches with this bus approx. 100: Food drop-offs will include a sign in sheet. Busses arrive at FCTS at 10:15 AM to load food. All scheduled times are approximate, so please plan to be there 15 minutes early and/or stay 15 later in the event the bus is running late.
Bus 1: Kuzmeskus Bus Co.
- Pick up at Franklin County Tech: (10:35 AM)
- Meals drop off at Turners Falls Sheffield Elementary School (10:45 AM)
- Meals drop off at Unity Park Skate Park: (10:55 AM)
- Meals drop off at Food City Parking Lot (11:05 AM)
- Meals drop off at Farren Care Center (11:15 AM)
- Meals drop off at Yankee Candle Parking Lot (11:30 AM)
- Meals drop off at Whately Diner Parking Lot (11:40 AM)
- Meals drop off at Whately Elementary School (11:55 AM)
- Meals drop off at Sunderland Corner Store (Rt. 47 & 116) (12:10 PM)
- Meals drop off at Montague Library (12:25 PM)
Bus 2: Kuzmeskus Bus Co.
- Pick up at Franklin County Tech: (10:35 AM)
- Meals drop off at Millers Falls Library: (10:45 AM)
- Meals drop off at Northfield Post Office: (11:05 AM)
- Meals drop off at Dollar General Bernardston: (11:20 AM)
- Meals drop off at Four Leaf Clover Bernardston: (11:30 AM)
- Meals drop off at McDonalds Greenfield: (11:45 AM)
- Meals drop off at YMCA Greenfield: (11:55 AM)
- Meals drop off at Fosters Supermarket: (12:05 PM
- Meals drop off at Leyden Woods: (12:15 PM)
Bus 3: Kuzmeskus Bus Co.
- Pick up at Franklin County Tech: (10:35 AM)
- Meals drop off at Erving Town Hall: (10:50 AM)
- Meals drop off at Executive Inn Orange (off of Rt. 2): 11:05 AM)
- Meals drop off Walmart Parking Lot Orange: (11:20 AM)
- Meals drop off Wheeler Public Library (11:30 AM)
- Meals drop off at Wendell Town Library (11:45 AM)
Bus 4: Kuzmeskus Bus Co.
- Pick up at Franklin County Tech: (10:35 AM)
- Meals drop off at Buckland Shelburne Elementary School: (11:05 AM)
- Meals drop off at Colrain Fire Dept. (11:25 AM)
- Meals drop off at Heath Public Library: (11:35 AM)
- Meals drop off at Hawlemont Elementary School Charlemont/Hawley: (11:50 AM)
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Mar 17, 2020
Updated: Tue, Mar 17, 2020
Dear local officials and community leaders,
First, thank you for your tireless work to keep your communities safe during this challenging time.
Senator Comerford is chairing the Senate’s COVID-19 response working group. As such, I am writing both as the Senator’s District Director and as staff to the state Senate initiative.
Below is what I hope is timely and useful information on the Governor’s initial executive orders, COVID-19 prevention, information on small business loans, a request to report supply chain shortages you experience to us, and information on our upcoming community conference calls.
Be assured more information is coming. Please reach out any time to jo.comerford@masenate.gov.
If any municipal officials would like to send in a comment about H.4572 An Act to address challenges in town governance resulting from COVID-19, we welcome you to be in touch.
Report supply chain issues
- The Senate working group is tracking supply chain shortages and price gouging issues, we need to hear from you to know what you’re seeing or expect to see so we can escalate to the Administration and watchdog and advocate for western Massachusetts.
- Please email Jared.Freedman@masenate.gov to report specific supply shortages - both medical and non-medical.
Small business / nonprofit loans now available, as a first step
- The Governor has announced a $10 million Small Business Recovery Loan Fund to provide emergency capital up to $75,000 to Massachusetts-based businesses impacted by COVID-19 with under 50 full and part-time employees, including nonprofits. Loans are immediately available to eligible businesses with no payments due for the first 6 months.
- How to Apply: Please complete the application found on MGCC’s website, EmpoweringSmallBusiness.org. Completed applications can be sent via email to mgcc@massgcc.com with the subject line “2020 Small Business Recovery Loan Fund”. MGCC can be reached by email: mgcc@massgcc.com
Community conference calls
Senator Comerford is hosting a series of community conference calls on COVID-19 starting TOMORROW, Wednesday, March 18 at both 9:30 a.m. then again at 1:00 p.m.
- These one-hour calls are open to the public. You'll first hear updates on the Senate working group on COVID-19 and then have an opportunity for Q&A.
- To call in, dial (605) 313-5111 and use access code: 378045
- The full schedule is here: senatorjocomerford.org/events/list/ (note that all upcoming virtual library tours are also opportunities to hear directly from Jo via conference call)
Are you getting questions from constituents about testing?
- The state is ramping up testing availability quickly, however we are not yet at capacity. My team and I are advocating strongly for clear communication and guidance from the Department of Public Health and grateful to all of the local and regional public health officials on the ground and responding.
- The current guidance is that if you think you should be tested, please call your healthcare provider (if you don’t have a primary care provider, call your local hospital or community health center). Remember: Call before visiting!
- More from DPH here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frequently-asked-questions-about-covid-19#should-i-be-tested?
Some guidance on prevention
- Please visit the MA Department of Health website.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops). The virus lives on surfaces for a period of time.
- Practice responsible social distancing to prevent the escalation of the virus.
- Postpone or cancel all non-essential large events and gatherings.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Stay home when sick.
- Get a flu shot to prevent the spread of influenza, which can leave those affected more vulnerable and stretch our medical system that much more.
- Help spread the facts (and only the facts) about the virus. Get them here: MA Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DPH also runs a 24/7 phone hotline at 617-983-6800.
- Buy local. Support main street businesses and our farmers. Double down on your support of local non-profits providing care.
- Talk with the children in your life. Here’s a good resource.
If you need guidance regarding legal help, here are some resources from Attorney General Maura Healey:
- Information about sick time laws: 617-727-3465
- Help with insurance claims or medical bills: 888-830-6277
- Report price gouging or defective products: 617-727-8400
- If you’re having difficulty negotiating a travel refund or are concerned about a potential scam, consider filing a complaint: www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-consumer-complaint
The Governor’s Executive Orders are listed below. For more information, including orders and current guidance for the bulleted items below and the latest updates, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency.
Please know that there are limitations to what the Governor can do and that’s where the Legislature comes in.
- GATHERINGS & RESTAURANTS: On March 15, Governor Baker issued an emergency order limiting gatherings to 25 individuals and prohibiting on-premises consumption of food or drink at bars and restaurants, beginning on March 17 and effective until April 6.
- ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY SCHOOL OPERATIONS SUSPENDED: On March 15, Governor Baker ordered a 3-week suspension of school operations for educational purposes at all public and private elementary and secondary (K-12) schools in the Commonwealth (not including residential and day schools for special needs students), beginning Tuesday, March 17 and continuing until Monday, April 6.
- HOSPITAL VISITOR RESTRICTIONS: On March 15, the Department of Public Health issued hospital visitor restrictions.
- ASSISTED LIVING VISITOR RESTRICTIONS. On March 15, the Department of Public Health issued visitor restrictions for assisted living facilities.
- PHARMACY HAND SANITIZER ORDER: On March 15, the Department of Public Health issued an order permitting licensed pharmacies to create and sell hand sanitizer over the counter.
- ELECTIVE PROCEDURES: On March 15, the Department of Public Health issued an order mandating that hospitals must cancel non-essential elective procedures.
- RMV RENEWAL TIMELINE: The Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) will extend the renewal timeline of certain credentials to reduce the need for customers to physically visit an RMV service center for in-person transactions.
- TELEHEALTH: The Department of Public Health has issued guidance that requires all commercial insurers, self-insured plans, and the Group Insurance Commission to cover medically necessary telehealth services related to COVID-19 testing and treatment (medical and behavioral). Insurers must do this without requiring cost-sharing of any kind – such as copays and coinsurance – for testing and treatment.
- OPEN MEETING LAW MODIFICATIONS: On March 12, Governor Baker issued an emergency order making modifications to the state’s Open Meeting Law to allow state, quasi and local governments to continue to carry out essential functions during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- NURSING HOME VISITORS RESTRICTED: On March 12, the Department of Public Health issued an emergency order restricting visitor access to nursing homes and rest homes to protect higher-risk populations from COVID-19.
- NURSING LICENSURE CHANGES: On March 11, the Board of Registration in Nursing updated its policies to expedite the processing of reciprocal license applications for nurses that are licensed in another jurisdiction to allow those applications to be processed in one business day.
Please continue to think of us as a resource.
Warmly,
Elena
Elena Cohen
District Director
Office of Senator Jo Comerford
Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester District
413.367.4656
elena.cohen@masenate.gov
Pronouns: she/her/hers
www.SenatorJoComerford.org
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Mar 17, 2020
Updated: Tue, Mar 17, 2020
See Below
Food Distribution to MTRSD Families
Grab & Go - Pick Up at BSE
Food Distribution to MTRSD Families
The Mary Lyon Foundation, in partnership with the Mohawk Trail Regional School District, is organizing efforts
to provide groceries to district families during the mandated school closure. This program will begin later this
week. To participate please follow the instructions below:
- To register, please contact Sue Mitchell, District Nurse Leader
- Families will need to register each week in order to receive groceries
- Food distribution will occur at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary each Friday from 4:PM-7PM
- Grocery bags will be packed with essential dry staples such as peanut butter and jelly, spaghetti, fresh food, and milk as available. Bags will be delivered in a “grab and go” style right to your car (pull up in the circle in front of the school).
TO REGISTER:
Contact Sue Mitchell, smitchell@mtrsd.org or (413) 522-9618
Please provide: Family Name / Town Residence / Number of members in the household. Please
designate if there are any food allergies.
Registration Dates: For Pick Up on:
March 17-19 Friday, March 20
March 21-26 Friday, March 27
March 28-April 2 Friday, April 3
April 4-9 Friday, April 10
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Mar 17, 2020
Updated: Tue, Mar 17, 2020
see latest update below
Update Coronavirus: COVID-19
What Colrain Residents Need To Know
UPDATE MARCH 17, 2020
The Town of Colrain Board of Selectmen urges residents in the strongest possible terms to adopt the difficult and disruptive behaviors of extreme social distancing in order to protect our community by helping to slow the spread and “flatten the curve” of novel Coronavirus, COVID-19.
As of this writing, March 16, 2020, there are no confirmed or presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Franklin County. Nevertheless, what we all do, or don't do, over the next week will have an impact on the local and perhaps national trajectory of coronavirus and COVID-19 disease. Social Distancing is difficult and uncomfortable, and will disrupt day to day life in many ways, but it has been shown to be an effective and useful tool in slowing the spread of contagious disease. Your actions now can help prevent illness and possibly save lives - among your family, in your community, and among people you know and don't know alike.
SOCIAL DISTANCING practices include the following:
· If you do not absolutely need to go out, stay home
· If you can work from home, work from home
· If you cannot stay home:
o Avoid groups, especially of more than 10 people
o Keep at least a 6 foot distance between yourself and others
· If you have children home from school, do not schedule playdates or get-togethers with other families. This defeats the purpose of school closings
· If you feel sick at all (even slightly), STAY HOME unless you need medical attention
In addition to social distancing, continue to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Cover your coughs/sneezes. Avoid touching your face. If you need medical attention, call ahead so your provider knows you’re coming.
For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html and https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus... Additionally, residents can call the Mass DPH information and referral hotline at 211 from any landline or cellphone to hear information about prevention, symptoms, testing, treatment and more. In the automated menu, choose a language (English or Spanish) and then press 26
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Mar 17, 2020
Updated: Tue, Mar 17, 2020
Scammers are working overtime. Please read below:
Dear COA Colleagues,
This office has become aware that cyber criminals are exploiting Coronavirus through emails… posing as legitimate medical and or health organizations. (In one instance, victims have received an email purporting to be from a “medical/health organization” – with bogus information regarding the Coronavirus.)
Be on the lookout for:
- Emails that appear to be from organizations such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), or the WHO (World Health Organization) or other government agencies. The official source of COVID-19 information in the Commonwealth is https://www.mass.gov/dph
- Review emails that ask for charity donations for studies, doctors, or to assist victims that have been affected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Scammers often create fake charity emails during major events like hurricanes or earthquakes.
- Other malicious emails tout “new” or “updated” cases. These emails may contain dangerous links and information designed to scare you into clicking on the link. (One example:-- an up-to-date map of reported cases: you get a map… along with malware that can steal computer passwords and data.)
Protect yourself from scams:
- Never click on links or download attachments from an email that you weren’t expecting.
- If you receive a suspicious email that appears to come from an official organization such as the WHO or CDC, report the email to the official organization through their website.
- If you want to make a charity donation, go to the charity website of your choice to submit your payment. Type the charity’s web address in your browser instead of clicking on any links in emails, or other messages.
The EOTSS messaging team is working to add a warning to email from external senders. This practice will help people avoid accidentally clicking an unsafe message. Once the change is implemented you will see the following text in emails sent from outside the organization.
CAUTION: Do not click on links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Information courtesy of:
John Merto
Commonwealth Chief Information Security Officer
1 Ashburton Place, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
Office: (617) 660-4488 | Mobile: (617) 513-0043
john.merto@mass.gov | www.mass.gov/eotss
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Mar 16, 2020
Updated: Mon, Mar 16, 2020
Update From the Town office
Good afternoon. Yesterday at 3:00 pm Town Officials met to participate in a state wide conference call hosted by the Mass Dept. of Public Health regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19). This Meeting was convened by the Colrain Selectboard. Subsequent to the conference call the Selectboard appointed a "Preparedness Planning Team" consisting of the following members:
Selectboard Chair Eileen Sauvageau, Police Chief Chris Lannon (or designee), Fire Chief Nick Anzuoni (or designee), Emergency Management Director Kevin French, Assistant EMD James Hunkler,Colrain Board of Health Chair Mike Friedlander (or designee), Gary Ponce of the Colrain Ambulance Association (or designee), Town Coordinator Kevin Fox.
The teams task will be to develop and lead a coordinated, efficient and effective sttrategy for dealing with the ever and rapidly evolving COVID-19 issue at the local level and to provide as much information as possible to Colrain residents.
The Team will commence regular meetings on March 14, 2020 at 10:00 am at the Town Office. It is anticipated the meetings will be frequent if not daily in the immmediate. Taking the recommendations of all experts the attendance of the public is not encouraged so as to minimize any risk of virus spread.
The Team will be issuing regular reports via the Town website in order to keep Colrain residents updated to the greatest extent possible. Please vist this web-site regularly for the latest updates and thanks for your anticipated patience and cooperation.
In the meantime, the Colrain Board of Health will be posting updates as well.
Posted: to General Town News on Fri, Mar 13, 2020
Updated: Mon, Mar 16, 2020
PV Solar for Colrain Highway Garage
Thank you for your interest in IFB 20200311 Solar Installation on Colrain Highway Garage (due 3/11/20) . This BID HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
If you have any questions please contact Chief Procurement Officer Andrea Woods at bids@frcog.org or assistant CPO Ellen Batchelder at ebatchelder@frcog.org at ext. 131.
Thank you,
Andrea Woods, MCPPO
Chief Procurement Officer
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
John W. Olver Transit Center
12 Olive Street, Suite 2
Greenfield, MA 01301
Ph 413-774-3167 x 104
Fax 413-774-3169 Email bids@frcog.org
INVITATION for BIDS
PV SOLAR FOR COLRAIN HIGHWAY GARAGE
COLRAIN, MA
FRCOG IFB 20200311
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) will accept sealed bids on behalf of the
Town of Colrain for a 25 kW -30kW DC (3 phase) Solar PV System Installation project on the roof
of the Colrain Highway Garage located at 9 Jacksonville Road, Colrain, MA. The bid shall be
conducted under the requirements of M.G.L. c. 149.
Sealed bids should be marked “Colrain Highway Garage PV IFB 20200311” and will be
received by Andrea Woods, Chief Procurement Officer, FRCOG, 12 Olive Street, Suite 2,
Greenfield, MA 01301 until MARCH 11, 2020 at 2 pm at which time the bids will be opened in
public. Emailed or faxed bids will not be accepted.
A mandatory prebid site visit will be conducted on FEBRUARY 18, 2020 at 2:30PM at the Highway
Garage. If there is severe weather, the Snow Date will be February 21, 2020 at 2:30pm.
Planholders will be notified by 5pm the day before if the Snow Date will be used.
Wage rates for this bid are subject to prevailing wage rates as per MGL Chapter 149, Section 26
- 27f inclusive, attached. A bid deposit in the amount of 5% is required. A 50% payment bond is
required at contract signing of the winning bidder.
Bid specifications are available by request from https://frcog.org/bids. Only bidders who have
downloaded the bid from this site will be automatically notified of any addenda or meeting
announcements.
The awarding authority is the Colrain Selectboard. The Town of Colrain reserves the right to
accept or reject any or all bids in total or in part as they may deem to be in the best public interest.
FRANKLIN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVTS
Andrea Woods, Chief Procurement Officer
February 5, 2020
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) and the Town do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or gender with respect to admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services or activities. If you would like accessibility or language accommodation, please contact the Title VI Coordinator at 413-774-3167 (voice) (MA Relay System: 800-439-2370), 413-774-3169 (fax), or civilrights@frcog.org.
A link to the enitre document: Invitation for Bids PV Solar Colrain Highway Garage
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Feb 3, 2020
Updated: Thu, Mar 5, 2020
Recorder article by Chelsea Jordan-Makely, Library Director
https://www.recorder.com/Colrain-Lowdown-120519-31000957
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Dec 5, 2019
Updated: Thu, Dec 5, 2019
The Greenfield Reporter article of 11/29/19
The following link is an interview with Michael Shuipis, Chair of the Town's Broadband Advisory Committee.
https://www.recorder.com/Colrain-making-ready-for-broadband-30866237
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Dec 2, 2019
Updated: Mon, Dec 2, 2019
The Town’s FY 20 Property Tax Rate has been certified by the Department of Revenue at $19.93 per thousand. This represents a $.64 decrease from the previous year.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Oct 21, 2019
Updated: Mon, Oct 21, 2019
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Oct 16, 2019
Updated: Wed, Oct 16, 2019
Pictured Here Is The First Of Approximately 136 New Poles To Be installed Over The Next Few Weeks as a Milestone Step Towards Constructing The Towns New Broadband Network
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Jul 24, 2019
Updated: Wed, Jul 24, 2019
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Hi Folks,
It has been a busy couple of months. It was great to see so many of you at recent training events as well as out in the field looking at your own culvert projects. I especially want to thank those of you who have been in touch with your ideas, needs and questions about the culvert replacement process. Hearing from you helps us figure out how we can help.
I am happy to report that two municipalities we have been working with completed culvert projects this spring. In am also writing to pass along some updates on upcoming opportunities for training, funding and for comment on a new federal grant program.
Happy summer everyone.
Brian Kelder
Stream Crossing Specialist
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Northampton and Colrain Culvert Replacements Complete
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This spring, the City of Northampton and Town of Colrain each completed culvert replacement projects.
?Northampton replaced a 21" round pipe on Park Hill Road with a 8.5' wide open bottom box culvert. The project in Colrain (pictured above) replaced a badly deteriorated 3' wide by 5' high box culvert with a 12' wide open bottom box culvert. Both projects were able to use outside funding sources, including funding through DER’s Municipal Assistance grants, to help build crossings that are designed to be more storm resilient, low maintenance and ecologically friendly for a long time to come. We look forward to seeing more projects like these reach the construction phase this year. Please let me know if you have any projects lined up for this construction season that you would like to tell us about.
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Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Jul 8, 2019
Updated: Mon, Jul 8, 2019
The DOER Commissioner and other Green Community officials came to the Colrain Town Office to award us our first Green Community Grant of $129,888
Baker-Polito Administration Presents Green Communities Designation Award to Western Massachusetts Municipalities
Seven Communities Receive $927,786 for Energy Efficiency Projects
WESTHAMPTON –– The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded Green Communities designation grants totaling $927,786 to Charlemont, Colrain, Heath, Sandisfield, Westhampton, Wilbraham and Worthington. The awards will fund energy efficiency projects and were presented by Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson during ceremonies in Western Massachusetts.
In December of last year, 30 communities across Massachusetts were designated by the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) as Green Communities, committing to an ambitious renewable energy agenda to reduce energy consumption and emissions. With 240 of the Commonwealth’s municipalities having earned their Green Communities designation, 78 percent of residents now live in a Green Community. Since the program began in 2010, DOER’s Green Communities division has awarded over $100 million in grant funding to the Commonwealth’s cities and towns through designation and competitive grant rounds.
“We are proud to support the Green Communities program and the work it allows state and local governments to do in order to protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through responsible clean energy policies,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Cities and towns that participate in the Green Communities program have access to additional resources that help facilitate investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects while reducing energy costs and carbon footprints.”
“These towns are making tremendous strides to reduce energy consumption and save money and this grant funding is another step we are taking to provide cities and towns across the Commonwealth with the tools they need to continue to move Massachusetts forward as a leader in energy efficiency,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.
Under the Green Communities Act, cities and towns must meet five criteria to be designated a Green Community and receive funding, including reducing municipal energy consumption by 20 percent over five years. The 30 newly designated Green Communities have committed to reduce their energy consumption by 293,936 MMBTUs in five years, energy use equivalent to heating and powering 2,281 homes, and greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reduction of 21,380 metric tons equivalent to taking 4,501 cars off the roads.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, May 15, 2019
Updated: Sat, Jun 15, 2019
The Town is pleased to provide it’s residents with the 2018 Annual Report. Hard are also available at the Town Office.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Mar 26, 2019
Updated: Wed, Jul 10, 2019
Please Read the Attached Letter Congratulating the Town for Successfully Implementing Two Best Practice Initiatives Funded through the Commonwealth’s Community Compact Program!
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Feb 25, 2019
Updated: Mon, Feb 25, 2019
The Town is Pleased to Report the Results of The Fiscal Year End June 30, 2018 Audit For Your Review.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Feb 13, 2019
Updated: Wed, Feb 13, 2019
Notice of Filing and Public Hearing
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Dec 10, 2018
Updated: Thu, Jan 10, 2019
Thanks to a tremendous effort by the Town’s Energy Committee Colrain has recently achieved Green Community Designation. Please read the attached official notification letter.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Nov 8, 2018
Updated: Thu, Dec 27, 2018
The Selectmen are seeking residents willing to participate in a new ad-hoc committee to study possible waste water solutions / options for the Town.
Seeking Volunteers
The Selectmen are seeking residents willing to participate in a new ad-hoc committee to study possible waste water solutions / options for the Town.
This process will be facilitated by RCAP Solutions whose services are being funded by a Health and Human Services grant.
Interested Individuals should contact Town Coordinator Kevin Fox at bos@colrain-ma.gov
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Sep 11, 2018
Updated: Tue, Sep 11, 2018
Colrain Officials Have Released the Town's Community Choice Power Supply Program Aggregation Plan
The Town of Colrain developed the Aggregation Plan in compliance with Massachusetts law regarding public aggregation of electric consumers. It contains required information on the structure, operations, services, funding, and policies of the Town's Plan. The Plan has been developed in consultation with the Town's aggregation implementation consultant, Colonial Power Group, Inc. (CPG) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).
The purpose of this Plan is to represent consumer interests in competitive markets for electricity. It seeks to aggregate consumers in the Town to negotiate rates for power supply. It brings together the buying power of more than 1,600 consumers. Furthermore, the Town seeks to take greater control of its energy options, including enhancing the ability to pursue price stability, savings opportunities and the amount of renewable energy procured. However, savings cannot be guaranteed. Participation is voluntary for each eligible consumer. Eligible consumers have the opportunity to decline service provided through the Plan and to choose any Competitive Supplier they wish. The Town has distributed this Plan for public review prior to submitting it to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
Public Review and Comment Period
The Town of Colrain's Aggregation Plan is available for public review and comment from Monday, July 9, 2018, at 9 a.m. through Friday, July 27, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.
Any person who desires to comment may do so in person at the Town Clerk's office or submit written comments using one of the following methods: (1) by e-mail to bos@colrain-ma.gov; or (2) by postal mail to the address below.
Comments must be clearly marked Town of Colrain's Aggregation Plan and must be received (not postmarked) by the end of the comment period in order to be addressed.
Kevin Fox, Town Coordinator
Town of Colrain
55 Main Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Any questions pertaining to this should be directed to Kevin Fox, Town Coordinator at (413) 624-6306.
An original hardcopy of the Plan is also available at the Town Clerk's office.
Click "Read More" to review the plan.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Jun 28, 2018
Updated: Thu, Jun 28, 2018
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Town of Colrain will not discriminate in its employment practices, on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, national origin, religious creed, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, disability, maternity leave, genetic information, active military status, or another basis prohibited under or federal anti-discrimination statutes. This shall include such areas as recruitment, selection, compensation and benefits, professional development and training, reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious practices, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, and other terms and conditions of employment.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Jan 22, 2018
Updated: Mon, Jan 22, 2018
PRESS RELEASE COLRAIN TAKES FIRST STEPS FOR FIBER BROADBAND PROJECT
Colrain, MA, October 18, 2017-Whip City Fiber technicians will be starting field work and route mapping engineering in preparation for fiber optic network design in Colrain. Crews may be seen in the area starting October 18, 2017.or additional information about this project, please contact Kevin Fox, Colrain Town Coordinator, atbos@colrain-ma.gov or at 413-624-6306.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Oct 23, 2017
Updated: Mon, Oct 23, 2017
Colrain and Rowe officials say that money through the MassWorks Grant program they're recieving addresses some critical bridge repairs.
Posted: to General Town News on Wed, Oct 18, 2017
Updated: Wed, Oct 18, 2017
Three Franklin County towns are among 10 rural communities in Massachusetts have been awarded state grants for roadway improvements
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Oct 12, 2017
Updated: Thu, Oct 12, 2017
Be it known, that the Town of Colrain is a compassionate community whose residents respect the rights, dignity, and integrity of its citizens and visitors. As a welcoming community, we celebrate diversity, honor privacy and safety, and affirm and promote equality for all.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, May 18, 2017
Updated: Sun, May 19, 2024
The development of a Capital Improvement Program, attached herewith, was funded under the Baker- Polito Administration Community Compact Program - an initiative designed to encourage Massachusetts cities and towns to adopt and implement best practices.
Through its compact agreement with the State Division of Local Services, the Town of Colrain sought to establish a program that "develops and documents a multi-year capital plan that reflects a community's needs, is reviewed annually and fits within a financing plan that reflects the community's ability to pay."
To assist the town, consulting services were provided by the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. Its Municipal Finance Specialist provided close guidance to and worked collaboratively with local officials and staff leading to the successful completion of this project.
The Town of Colrain now has as a reference and a tool for prioritizing its immediate and long-term capital needs. It has the means to establish a consistent annual process which is objective in its approach and even handed in its application across all town departments.
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Apr 27, 2017
Updated: Thu, Apr 27, 2017
Please refer to Town Clerk's Page for further information.
Posted: to General Town News on Tue, Dec 6, 2016
Updated: Tue, Dec 6, 2016
In light of the Town's withdrawal from Wired West, residents who pre-subscribed may request their $49.00 deposit back from Wired West.
If you wish a refund, please send request to: Wired West
Old Courthouse
99 Main Street
Northampton, MA 10160
Posted: to General Town News on Thu, Jun 30, 2016
Updated: Thu, Jun 30, 2016
Online Payment will not be accepted after the due date of November 6, 2014 for Real Estate, Personal Property, Fire District and Fire District Personal Property. Moter Vehicle Commitment #5 will continue to be accepted until it's due of November 18, 2014.
Thank you
Paula Harrison, Collector
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, Nov 10, 2014
Updated: Mon, Nov 10, 2014
A preliminary report for the Town Center Sanitary Sewer System dated April 2014, may be viewed by clicking the file link below. The report is 84 pages long.
Posted: to General Town News on Mon, May 5, 2014
Updated: Wed, Oct 23, 2019
