Double Edge Theatre eyes eco-friendly housing, new Community Design Center

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

ASHFIELD — Combining creativity and community, Double Edge Theatre is working to create a sustainable future by providing eco-friendly housing and renovating old buildings into new apartments, while also constructing a Community Design Center.Between...

Tax rate down, assessments up in Deerfield

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — On a recommendation from the Board of Assessors, the Selectboard adopted a single tax rate for fiscal year 2025 of $13.25 per $1,000 valuation on Wednesday evening, an approximately 4.3% decrease from FY24.Sticking with past practices, the...

Greenfield Police Logs: Nov. 19 to Nov. 25, 2024

Tuesday, Nov. 19 9:08 a.m. — Cameron L. Avery, 49, homeless of Greenfield, was arrested on a warrant on Main Street.9:09 a.m. — Breaking and entering into a vehicle, a blue 2014 Honda CR-V, reported on Columbus Avenue. Report issued.9:46 a.m. — Report...

Ski, Snowboard and Skate Sale marks 70th year in Greenfield

By AMALIA WOMPA

GREENFIELD — Girl Scout Troops 40566 and 65201 are holding their Ski, Snowboard and Skate Sale this weekend, ushering in the 70th year of the tradition.Patrons can visit the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew at 8 Church St. on Friday, Dec....

Brick & Feather Brewery closes Turners Falls location, though owner charts course to continue brewing

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

TURNERS FALLS — Although Brick & Feather Brewery has closed its brick-and-mortar location on 11th Street after nine years, owner Lawrence George isn’t giving up his passion for brewing. Come 2025, George will work with Berkshire Brewing Co. in South...

Sackrey Construction Co. of Sunderland celebrating 35 years in business

By CHRIS LARABEE

SUNDERLAND — In December 1989, one of the coldest on record in the region, John Sackrey was in Conway with a small team building an addition onto a home.That addition, for an associate working with Berkshire Design Group, kicked off a decades-long...

Real Estate Transactions: Dec. 13, 2024

ASHFIELD Watson Spruce Corner Road. $75,000. B: Amar O. Abbatiello. S: Mark C. Fredland.ATHOL 51 Adah St. $300,000. B: Jessica L. Holloway. S: Shane A. Sandman. 291 Brattle St. $320,000. B: Steven M. Reed and Renee A. Strom-Reed. S: Elda S. James....

No Assault & Batteries forum provides overview of new climate law

By DOMENIC POLI

WENDELL — The citizens group that formed last year in opposition to a now-withdrawn proposal for a 105-megawatt battery storage facility held a virtual forum this week to shed light on local permitting and the role of municipal power in the wake of...

New Greenfield finance director looks to stabilize staffing, streamline budget processes

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Following the resignation of former Finance Director Stella Chan, Weston Public Schools’ Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations at Stephen Nembirkow has taken the helm of the city’s Finance Department.Nembirkow, a licensed...

Planning Board approves housing, cannabis development on Main Street in Greenfield

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — The Planning Board has approved the site plan for a mixed-use housing and cannabis retail development being proposed for 220-228 Main St.According to records obtained from the state’s property records database, Florida-based developer...

PHOTO: Foggy farmland

Montague Notebook: Dec. 12, 2024

School Committee seeks Montague representative MONTAGUE — There is an open seat for a Montague representative on the Gill-Montague Regional School District School Committee.Interested Montague residents should email Executive Assistant Tara McCarthy...

Erving OKs split tax rate for FY25, 10% exemption for some commercial sites

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

ERVING — After a discussion with the Board of Assessors, the Selectboard approved a split tax rate for fiscal year 2025 as well as a 10% tax exemption for small commercial properties on Monday.The tentative tax rate, which has been submitted to the...

$50K toward school roof project, series of opioid fund articles top Gill Town Meeting warrant

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GILL — Voters at Special Town Meeting on Monday will be asked to approve $50,000 to help further the Gill Elementary School roof replacement, as well as vote on three articles pertaining to the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund.The meeting will...

Luminaria tradition, created as part of 350th festivities, continues in Northfield

By CHRIS LARABEE

NORTHFIELD — As 2024 wraps up, Northfield residents are encouraged to usher in the new year with some bright lights in the dark.On New Year’s Eve, residents are asked to put out luminaria along their walkways and driveways.Adopting the community event...

Deerfield’s 1888 Building site plan review pushed to January

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — The site plan review for the 1888 Building rehabilitation and addition project has been pushed to Monday, Jan. 6, as the town works to flesh out the parking and driveway designs.While the hearing was originally scheduled for Monday...

Photo: As darkness falls

Leverett residents rap Kittredge compound plans, urge caution as negotiations for 400 homes move forward

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — Leverett residents are asking town officials to be skeptical of plans for turning the sprawling, 60-acre estate of Yankee Candle founder Michael J. Kittredge II into a 400-home development reserved for people 55-and-over, even if a portion...

Greenfield Historical Commission to hold demolition delay hearing for Zion Church

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Three weeks after the Franklin County YMCA submitted its permit to demolish the Zion Korean Church, the Historical Commission voted unanimously to declare the 182-year-old church historically significant and hold a public hearing before a...

Warwick Town Meeting approves seven articles in 17 minutes

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

WARWICK — In a speedy, 17-minute meeting on Monday night, voters approved all seven articles on the Town Meeting agenda, including amending the zoning bylaws regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs), allocating free cash for the installation of solar...