Town of Hawley

The Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is administering a housing rehabilitation loan program on behalf of the Town of Hawley. The program offers zero-interest, deferred-payment, 15-year forgivable loans of up to $35,000 to qualified homeowners to improve the safety and energy efficiency of their homes.

Eligible improvements include:

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Hello everyone.

This morning DCR issued us a permit to install a temporary shelter and collapsible 35 ft mast on Borden Mountain. I expect that Brian Foucher of WiValley will remove the 8 trees that need removal and then will set the temporary shelter in place, anchor it, bring in power, set up the electronics inside and erect the mast and attach antennas. With luck this temporary installation will be operational by the end of November and before heavy snows close the mountain to vehicular traffic.

Representative Paul Mark tells me that the legislature hopes to approve the Article 97 (bill to authorize construction by the State Legislature) by midnight, Wednesday November 17th, when they adjourn for the rest of this year. In all likelihood we won’t get to install the permanent Borden Mt site until after the snows melt in April 2022.

The temporary installation on Borden Mt will allow WiValley to connect SOME of the 200 plus customers who are scheduled to get their service from Borden. Remember, the temp tower is 35 ft and the permanent one will be 75 ft tall.

On another note, Savoy has approved a pole location on Tilton Road in Savoy, and WiValley will be installing that shortly. All of a sudden they have lots to do.

I do not expect to hold another FHMS meeting until the temporary Borden site is operational.

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

Kirby (Lark) Thwing
FHMS Broadband Network Committee, Chair
kthwingjr@gmail.com

GETTING A FLU VACCINATION IS ONE important way to keep yourself healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday October 16 an indoor flu clinic will be held at Mohawk Trail Regional School from 10 AM to 1 PM, supported by local boards of health and local Medical Reserve Corps volunteers. The clinic is for people of all ages. Face masks will be required. See the attached flyer for more information. To save your spot, please pre-register at www.frcog.org/flu-clinic, and please bring all available insurance cards. We hope to see you there!

[Please note that this is only for individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine. Moderna has not come out with a booster at this time.]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)have authorized the Pfizer COVID-19 Booster for individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18-64 years of age at risk for severe COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions, and individuals 18-64 years of age who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of occupational or institutional settings who have previously received the Pfizer vaccine. These residents are eligible to receive their booster shot at least 6 months after their second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

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The Sons and Daughters of Hawley Board of Trustees has decided, sadly, that it is not in the best interest of our members for us to hold the potluck Apple Fest dinner, originally scheduled for November 7. Although the COVID number is decreasing, there do continue to be new cases in Massachusetts and Franklin County every day, so, as we don’t think it is worth the risk, we are cancelling the event.

At this time, we do plan to hold the Illumination Party in December at the East Hawley Meetinghouse.  Plans regarding the traditional S&DH spring events, including the March Mud Party, remain tentative, but we will let you know about each decision as soon as it is made.

The Board sends our warm good wishes for your continued health and well being,

Sincerely,

Suzy Groden, S&DH Recording Secretary

 Franklin County Solid Waste District is planning to hold the 2021 household hazardous waste collection on Saturday, September 25th at GCC’s Main Campus and the Orange Transfer Station.

Residents and businesses must pre-register by September 17th. Online pre-registration for the 2021 collection will begin in mid-August, at: www.franklincountywastedistrict.org/hazwasteday.html. Mail-in registration forms will be available in late August at town transfer stations and in local newspapers. Participants will be assigned an appointment time to bring wastes to the collection; an appointment time and instructions will be provided by mail after registration is processed. Continue reading →

August 21, 2021: STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED BY SELECTMEN
RESIDENTS URGED TO EXERCISE CAUTION . . . AUGUST 24: EMERGENCY IS OVER.

In a rapidly developing weather situation, Hurricane Henry is now heading toward New England and New York. Accordingly, the Hawley Selectboard has called a special meeting for Saturday, August 21 at 6 pm, which is available on both a face to face basis and via phone.

Click HERE for a meeting agenda;
and HERE for a more detailed report on the storm.