Letters of interest sought for at-large councilor seat

GREENFIELD – Following At-Large City Council Penny Ricketts’ resignation, effective Aug. 20, the council is accepting letters of interest to fill the vacancy.

According to the Greenfield City Charter, “the Council President, with the advice of the Committee Chairs, may fill that seat by appointing a person … subject to a two-thirds vote of the Councilors present.” This appointment will fulfill Ricketts’ unexpired term until the biennial election in November 2025.

City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. at the John Zon Community Center every third Wednesday of the month. The appointee will also become a member of two council subcommittees. They will be required to attend monthly meetings as posted.

Any registered voter residing in Greenfield who wishes to be considered for this position should send a letter of interest (resumes are also appreciated) to citycouncil@greenfield-ma.gov by Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m.

Those who submit a letter of interest will be asked to attend the City Council Committee Chairs meeting on Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. at the City Hall Meeting Room, second floor, or on Zoom to provide a statement and answer questions.

City Council President John Bottonley anticipates the council to consider a recommendation in October so a new at-large councilor can be appointed at the regular council meeting on Oct. 16.

Senior Tax Work-Off Program applications available starting Sept. 2

GREENFIELD — Applications for the Senior Tax Work-Off Program will be accepted from Sept. 3 to Sept. 30.

Greenfield homeowners ages 60 and up may apply to work off a portion of their real estate tax bill, up to $2,000. To qualify, your name must be on the title and you must reside at the property for which you are applying. An intake application is required. Interviews are available by request.

Pick up an intake application starting Sept. 3 at the Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St., Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. If more than 20 qualified people apply, a lottery will be held. Placement notifications will be in October.

The fiscal year 2026 work period runs from Jan. 1, 2025 through Oct. 31, 2025.

Brown bag program set for Sept. 5

GREENFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ monthly brown bag program for income-qualifying seniors will be held at The Weldon apartments at 54 High St. on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Call 413-247-9738 or visit foodbankwma.org for more information and applications.

Sept. 13: Memory Cafe

GREENFIELD – Residents of all towns are welcome to the Memory Cafe, sponsored by The Arbors at Greenfield, on Friday, Sept. 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Senior Center.

The Memory Cafe provides a supportive gathering place for people living with memory loss, together with their caregivers. Lunch is provided, followed by an activity.

Advance registration is required. To sign up, call the Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0.

Learn about city’s recycling transition

GREENFIELD — Sean Kelleher, Greenfield’s SWIFR (Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program) recycling outreach coordinator, will be at the Senior Center on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. to provide information and answer Greenfield residents’ questions about the city’s transition to an automated single-stream recycling program.

Last year, the city received a more than $2 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SWIFR program to change its recycling system and purchase a new fleet of automated collection vehicles, along with new 95-gallon recycling bins for residents. While the rest of this year is focused on community outreach, the city will begin to actively roll out the program in 2025.

Advance registration is recommended by calling the Senior Center’s front desk at 413-772-1517, ext. 0.