May 8: Mail-in ballot applications due

COLRAIN — Applications to vote by mail in this year’s town election are due back to the Town Clerk’s Office by Thursday, May 8.

To apply, visit colrain-ma.gov/p/33/Town-Clerk, or for a paper application, visit Town Hall, 55 Main Road.

The town election will be held Tuesday, May 13, at Town Hall. Polls will be open from noon to 7 p.m.

For more information, email townclerk@colrain-ma.gov.

Foundry Village walking tour set for Thursday

COLRAIN — The Colrain Historical Society will host a quarter-mile walking tour of historic Foundry Village, led by Judith Roberts and Jonathan Lagreze, on Thursday, May 8, at 7:15 p.m. The walking tour will commence after a brief business meeting from 7 to 7:15 p.m.

After a short walk, the tour will visit the vinegar bottling room of the former Cary Cider Mill for discussion and refreshments. The bottling room is fully accessible.

Attendees are advised to park at the First Baptist Church, 81 Foundry Village Road, for the meeting at 7 and the tour to follow. Limited parking is available at the cider mill, 63 Foundry Village Road, if you don’t wish to walk.

A rain date has been set for Thursday, May 15. For more information, call Debby at 413- 624-8800 or Belden at 413-624-3453. The tour is free and open to the public.

Community Development Block Grant hearing planned for May 13

BUCKLAND — Should Buckland use $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to plan improvements to Monroe and Kratt avenues and Ashfield Street, and support the West County Food Pantry?

Residents are invited to attend a public hearing to weigh in on the potential repurposing of the leftover CDBG funds from fiscal years 2022 and 2023 on Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall on State Street. The town is proposing to use the leftover funds to cover planning, engineering and administrative costs for roadwork projects in town.

To submit questions or comments in advance, contact interim Town Administrator Pam Guyette at twnadmin@town.buckland.ma.us.

Recycling and composting workshop set for May 13

BUCKLAND — Attendees can learn how to reduce trash and save money through composting and recycling with Amy Donovan, program director at the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District, during a program on Tuesday, May 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Buckland Public Library, 30 Upper St.

The presentation is free and open to all Franklin County residents. Recycling guides and handouts will be available. For more information, call the library at 413-625-9412.

Theo named Buckland’s Top Dog

BUCKLAND — Theo, a 1½-year-old golden retriever/Bernese mountain dog mix owned by Greg and Christina Bardwell, has been named Buckland’s Top Dog of 2025.

The top dog contest is held annually by municipalities across the country as an incentive to encourage pet owners to submit their paperwork to renew their dog license on time. Those who submit their application for a license by the deadline are entered into the contest for a chance to have their dog be named the Top Dog. This year was Buckland’s inaugural contest and Theo was chosen out of 268 dogs.

Theo loves blueberries, soccer balls and swimming, and is described by the Bardwells as an energetic rascal.

“He loves swimming, playing soccer and spending time with his furry friends,” the Bardwells wrote in their Top Dog application. “When he’s not out adventuring, you’ll likely find him snoozing on his back, dreaming of his next big play.”