North County Notebook: May 16, 2025

BERNARDSTON — The Bernardston Unitarian Meetinghouse will host a Jazz Night on Saturday, May 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring Harborside Jazz, a trio of musicians from Cape Ann, as well as a talk by Bernardston filmmaker Rawn Fulton about his still photo works that are on display at the meetinghouse.

Montague OKs $135K for DPW purchases, starting PILOT negotiations

By DOMENIC POLI

MONTAGUE — Voters adopted the Annual Town Meeting warrant’s final 14 articles on Wednesday after having deliberated on the initial 17 articles on May 7.

‘Neighbors helping neighbors’: Whately hosting biweekly seed, plant exchanges

By CHRIS LARABEE

WHATELY — A new effort to address food insecurity and generate community connection is taking root in Whately.

Colrain voters elect new town clerk

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

COLRAIN — Voters have elected Emma Coburn to be the new town clerk.

Greenfield’s Bee Fest celebrating 15th year this weekend

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — The city will host its 15th annual Bee Fest on Saturday, featuring the unveiling of the city’s first bee sculpture to be stationed at the Big E festival this summer.

Funding for fire truck, cemetery expansion OK’d in Erving

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING — After the procedure for using the new electronic voting system clicked with Erving voters, all 27 articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant were approved.

Saturday event to remember Great Falls Massacre, 349 years later

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — To commemorate the 349th anniversary of the Great Falls Massacre and the 21st anniversary of the 2004 reconciliation ceremony, the annual Day of Remembrance gathering will be held on the lawn behind the Great Falls Discovery Center on Saturday, May 17.

Rowe ballot features contests for Selectboard, Finance Committee

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

ROWE — Residents are set to vote on two contested races in this year’s town election on Saturday, May 17, that will determine if there will be new faces on the Selectboard and Finance Committee.

Goldman announces write-in campaign for Montague Selectboard

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE — Marina Goldman is running a write-in campaign for a three-year seat on the Selectboard, having declared her candidacy on May 2 in a race against ballot candidates Christopher Boutwell and Edward Voudren.

Healey energy bill sets stage for reintroduction of nuclear

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — Gov. Maura Healey is proposing to repeal a law put in place by voters as part of a worldwide nuclear freeze movement, a bid to open the door to greater deployment of newer nuclear energy facilities as part of a push to save ratepayers $10 billion over a decade.

Six Franklin County businesses get funding boost through Biz-M-Power grants, fundraising

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

Six Franklin County businesses have benefited from a series of Biz-M-Power grants awarded by MassDevelopment’s Growth Capital Division, with a total of $779,397 being distributed to 62 small businesses across the state.

Business Briefs: May 16, 2025

NORTHFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank has announced the 50th anniversary of its Northfield branch. To commemorate this milestone, the bank will host a celebration on Monday, May 19, at the branch, 144 Main St.

Real Estate Transactions: May 16, 2025

Newvue Affordable Housing Co. sold to Riverbend Bigelow LLC, 129 Allen St. and 184 Riverbend St. $25,000.

National Fire Protection Association official speaks to battery storage fire dangers

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Fire service leaders from across the region viewed footage of battery storage facilities, electric scooters and electric vehicles combusting into flames on Tuesday, broadening their knowledge of the unique challenges associated with extinguishing battery fires.

Gill-Montague superintendent announces plans to resign

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE — Gill-Montague Regional School District Superintendent Brian Beck has announced he plans to resign, citing a personal decision.

Longtime farmers retire, close Butynski’s Farm Stand in Greenfield

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — It’s the end of an era for local agriculture, as Butynski’s Farm Stand has ceased operations following the retirement of the four people in charge of it.

Academy at Charlemont to host mini poetry festival

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

CHARLEMONT — The Academy at Charlemont will host a mini poetry festival on Friday, May 16.

Rowe voters OK property acquisition, regional fire district

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

ROWE — Forty-nine Rowe voters approved 35 articles during Annual Town Meeting Monday evening, including an article authorizing the town to purchase a 179-acre property on Tunnel Road for use as recreational land and another to enter into a regional fire district with Charlemont.

Annual Bike Breakfast rolls on in Greenfield

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) fueled cyclists and pedestrians Tuesday morning, continuing its Bay State Bike Month tradition of the Bike Breakfast for the 12th year.

Camp Kee-wanee in Greenfield debuts new playground after years of fundraising

By DOMENIC POLI

GREENFIELD — A new playground awaits campers when Camp Kee-wanee opens for the summer on June 30.