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By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — As the 20th annual show for the Antique Truck Club of America’s western Massachusetts chapter is set to kick off this weekend, the event is nearly old enough to be considered “antique” itself.

I have lived in Deerfield since 1977. Over the years we have had some hurdles with funding projects and lining up priorities. We seem to jump around with what order we have for town projects. We need a plan for all town projects, not just the campus center. We have some terrific new staff at the Town Hall. We need to focus on our needs to develop long-range goals of what we expect to accomplish in 5, 10, and 15 years. We need to use their expertise to guide us forward.

An April 28 letter to the editor makes claims about Deerfield that don’t hold up on closer examination [“Deerfield needs David Wolfram on Select Board”]. In particular, the letter addresses property tax increases and housing affordability.

By CHRIS LARABEE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Frontier Regional School students will be setting sail into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend when they put on performances of “Wild Kate: A Tale of Revenge at Sea.”

Regarding the upcoming election for Select Board in Deerfield, and in response to a public statement seeking to make one particular claim tying tax increases to Select Board members. The Select Board doesn’t raise taxes. The citizens vote at Town Meeting to approve projects, like the sewer plant and the library- that raise taxes. Housing values have skyrocketed in the past 5 years which has increased taxes, while the Select Board has actually reduced the tax rate. To imply that one Select Board member is responsible for tax increases is perhaps not a completely informed suggestion. I’ve also learned that Tim Hilchey has assisted in bringing in millions of dollars in grants to pay for much needed improvements to the sidewalks which everyone was complaining about, a beautiful parking lot with high speed EV chargers which bring people to town who spend their money while waiting to charge their EV, and worked tirelessly to get money to rehab the old senior center to make new town offices without spending any local tax dollars. Tim has shown himself to be resourceful and hard working for our town. To blame him for tax increases is a false argument, and does not do justice to a man who has done so much for our town. To quote Tim Hilchey: “I’m a guy who likes to get things done, and I enjoy it.” OK, sounds good to me. And just to be clear — I am grateful that we have two good candidates to choose from, both of whom have served the community. We live in a great place here, and it’s great to see more and more citizens interested and involved.

A vote for David Wolfram for Deerfield selectman is a vote for confidence. Confidence in accountability, commitment, courage and strong leadership. Town leaders have significant responsibilities and make decisions that are in the best interests of residents. Dave Wolfram has the history, and proven leadership, as a lifelong Deerfield resident, Frontier Regional School alum and class president, former police officer, EMT, volunteer firefighter and 9-year member of the Deerfield Selectboard. Experienced in preserving the town’s quality of life, he will focus on schools, community projects and senior support while conserving town resources with fiscal stability. Respect for diversity in both his personal and community experience allows for public inclusion on decision making. Life is about making good decisions. A vote for Dave Wolfram on May 5 is a vote for confidence and strong leadership.

I write in enthusiastic support of Tim Hilchey for re-election to the Deerfield Selectboard. For Tim, no job is too small or too big. He commits himself to both kinds of work in his role as a Selectboard member and in so doing advances the town’s economic health. 

ERVING — A Northfield motorcyclist was killed following a collision with a pickup truck at the intersection of Prospect Street and Route 63 in Erving at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — For the second time in two years, Annual Town Meeting voters once again rejected a citizen’s petition on Monday that would have asked the state Legislature to lower the municipal voting age to 16.

I am writing in support of Tim Hilchey’s re-election to the Deerfield Select Board. In addition to his selectboard seat, Tim has a history of service to our town, including participating in the Community Preservation Committee, South County EMS Oversight Board, Medical Reserve Corps, and Friends of Deerfield 350th fundraiser. As a selectman, he has worked tirelessly for the people of Deerfield, even donating his own physical labor! In tough financial times he has fought for state and federal funds, including almost $3 million to fund the Leary Lot and EV Charger Project— at no cost to the town.

For many years, I have been an active member on various boards and committees that helped “run” the town of Deerfield. My professional job and my volunteer Deerfield committee work has helped me realize the importance for voting David Wolfram as a Selectboard member. He is a no nonsense person, does not believe in smoke and mirrors, and has plain common sense with full transparency.

The Deerfield election is on Monday, May 5, one week after annual Town Meeting. There are vacancies on several committees as well as a contest for a Selectboard seat. Those elected will decide the many proposals, issues, regulations etc. the town must consider, adopt, implement etc. I hope you consider the many factors required of our elected officials to provide stable thoughtful service to the whole community. These factors are not just one’s political leanings or philosophy but also one’s knowledge of the town, its history, all its people, and what is best economically, financially and strategically for all its citizens.

DEERFIELD — The League of Women Voters of Franklin County will host a candidate forum on Wednesday, April 30, ahead of next week’s town election, which will see Selectboard Chair Tim Hilchey facing a rematch from former Selectboard member David Wolfram.

I’m writing to encourage the residents of Deerfield to re-elect Tim Hilchey to the Selectboard on May 5. Tim knows Deerfield well. Prior to his election to the Selectboard he served on the town’s Conservation Commission and Community Preservation Committee. He has worked hard to bring state and federal grant

I am writing to express my strong support for David Wolfram in the upcoming election for our town’s Selectboard. David is the kind of leader our community needs — open-minded, fair, and deeply rooted in the values and needs of this town.

Maximum Honors: Zorica Ambs, Thomas Bagdon, Maisie Bliss, Jacob Burniske, Abigail Cendrowski, Saskia Coggeshall-Burr, Sadie Conlon, Hayden Costa, Theo D’Urso, Maxwell Dean, Reid Desorgher, Elliana DiNardo, Madelyn DiVincenzo, Dalton Dove, Salome Ehle, Tilly Fahey, Gemma Gochinski, Logen Goddard, Gracie Griswold, Lexi Hawkins, Amelia Johnson, Danica Kopcza, Mason Krawczyk, Naomi Malloy, Aliya Mazumdar, James McCarthy, Theodore McCarthy, Leah Meattey, Daniel Mule, Madison O’Neil, Abigail Pollock, Sonnet Severance, Ainsley Southergill, Olivia Talbott, Rileyanne Tine, Kayla Tudryn, Susannah Van Driesche, Ella Whittier and Brenna Zilch.

As lifelong residents of Deerfield for 75 years, we have watched the town change through those years. Change is inevitable and expected. In small towns, some changes can have a serious impact on those of us financially supporting the town through taxes. As we know, property taxes provide around 70% of the money needed to run the town of Deerfield. As we also know, property taxes usually increase moderately to allow households to plan for these increases. However, over the past five years, our town has seen an overall increase of 25% in our taxes!

In my 3½ years on the Deerfield Planning Board (3 years as chair), I quickly learned that our public meetings and appearances were minimal in relation to the amount of time and work that goes on behind the scenes. Selectboard Chair Tim Hilchey exemplifies this dedication to the maximum! Anyone can sit in a Selectboard meeting every two weeks without speaking or engaging, as some have done, but it’s the hours and hours of work between those meetings that make all the difference.

Hi everyone! I’ve been hearing some talk about my stepdad, David Wolfram, who’s running for the Selectboard, and I wanted to take a moment to clear a few things up. First and foremost, he is very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s honestly hurtful to hear otherwise, especially since we have close family members who are part of that community. This is something he deeply respects and stands by.

I am extremely grateful and appreciative of the Massachusetts Library System. My wife and I are retired and therefore now have the time to explore the many benefits it offers. We are shocked to hear that federal funding is now in question. What an absurd situation but symptomatic of the chaotic times we’re trying our best to get through. What helps us stay sane in insane times are the books, movies and music available to us thanks to the library. The idea that this is threatened along with all the other valuable services the library provides the community is just another example of the constant attacks on American ideals that are in the news daily. This should not be tolerated and I expect our elected officials to fight to secure federal funding for all libraries.