Montague Notebook: Oct. 25, 2024

Selectboard provides updates on town projects

MONTAGUE — The Selectboard provided updates on a series of ongoing and new town projects on Monday.

Parks & Recreation Department Director Jon Dobosz said the replacement of the Montague Center playground is making good progress. All the new playground structures have been installed. Going forward, safety materials will be installed and landscaping will be completed before winter. A formal opening is scheduled for May 2025. The playground is funded by a $340,000 Parkland Acquisitions & Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant.

The Selectboard approved the use of $51,738 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, $100,000 in capital improvements funding allocated during Town Meeting, and $12,774 from an overrun bid account to contract with Greenfield’s Clayton D. Davenport construction company for the 11th Street Bridge construction slated for 2028.

Town Administrator Walter Ramsey said a resident reached out to him about the possibility of adding the Montague town flag to the Massachusetts State House. More than 300 flags from towns and cities across Massachusetts are displayed at the State House, and Montague has not submitted a flag before. The Selectboard approved of Ramsey starting the process to get a flag to the State House.

Bodywork demo requires registration

TURNERS FALLS — The Greenfield Savings Bank’s event with Jamie Simpson of Birch Tree Bodywork, set for Saturday, Oct. 26, requires registration by calling the bank at 888-324-3191 or by stopping by the bank branch at 282 Avenue A before 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25.

Simpson will demonstrate bodywork basics and teach techniques to curb stress.