Category Archives: Hawley News

A SPECIAL TOWN MEETING HAS BEEN SET by the Hawley Selectboard for Monday, September 9 at 7:00 pm in the Town Office. Three articles up for consideration by the Hawley voters will involve the proposed admission of the Town of Heath into the Hawlemont Regional School District. The other article involves creation of a $5,000 contingency fund for possible cost overruns on the consxtruction of the FHMS Four Town Broadband network.

For a copy of the Special Town Meeting Warrant, click HERE.
For copies of the Agreement and Special Legislation, click HERE. 

THE HAWLEY SELECTBOARD HAS BEGUN DISCUSSIONS on whether Hawley should join the Mohawk Trail Woodlands Partnership (MTWP).

After 4 years of preparation, the Partnership has been legally designated by the state, with the purpose of bringing recognition and financial and technical resources to the 21-Town region, which is situated in Berkshire and Franklin Counties. The MTWP area comprises the towns in the Northwestern corner of the State and is heavily forested.

The stated goal for MTWP is to “. . . increase sustainable economic development related to forestry and natural resource-based tourism, support forest conservation on private lands, and improve the fiscal stability and sustainability of the municipalities”.
Continue reading →

FRANKLIN LAND TRUST WILL BE CONDUCTING a D2R2 Road Cycling Event — their 14th anniversary fundraiser/ride — in the Hawley environs this Saturday, August 17. From the Land Trust publicity materials:

♦ Each August thousands of bicyclists descend on Franklin County to participate in the nation’s largest dirt-road cycling event, the Deerfield Dirt Road Randonnée. Hosted by Franklin Land Trust, last year the ride attracted cyclists from 26 states and 5 countries.

♦ The courses will use the narrowest, oldest, twistiest, quietest, and most-scenic roads available.

♦ A range of courses will provide access to novices as well as challenge the world’s strongest riders.

♦ D2R2 will never offer prizes for anything other than gags, nor will finish results ever be presented like it was a race.

♦ The course is not marked. Riders will use cue sheets to navigate the route. Official RideWithGPS routes will also be available.

♦ Riders shall cover the course in a self-sufficient manner, without motorized crew vehicles.

♦ The organization will put as much effort into its food offerings as it does the ride itself.

♦ D2R2 is a key fundraiser for the Franklin Land Trust’s efforts.

One of the Land Trust rides proceeds through East Hawley, primarily along East Rd. The other loops through West Hawley: Forge Hill Rd., Middle Rd., Hallockville Rd., and West Hawley Rd.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF RIDERS ON HAWLEY ROADS ON SATURDAY.

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, the Sons and Daughters of Hawley present the 119th annual celebration of Hawley Day.   

The  event starts at about 10:00 AM at the Meetinghouse in East Hawley with a “koffee klatch,” where drinks and pastries will be available.  A variety of Hawley-themed items, gifts, and books will also be available for purchase. While at the koffee klatch check out our new sign and notice board.

The program will be a little different this year: Continue reading →

GUARDING AGAINST THE HEAT is a priority this weekend as temperatures threaten to rise into the 100^o F+ range throughout Massachusetts. According to a Situational Awareness Statement issued by the Massachusdetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Saturday the 20^th and Sunday the 21^st portend to be the hottest days of the year so far, with dangers of heat-induced illnesses abounding.

Click below the two images for details and suggested defenses.

 Click HERE for full info.

New Selectboard Member Robert (Bob) Maclean was sworn in by the Town Clerk and welcomed back to the Board.

The Zoning Board of Appeals granted the Town of Hawley a Variance to install a pedestal solar unit at the East Hawley Fire Station. Bidding is expected shortly.

After lengthy discussion and the need for further investigation into several matters emerged, the Private Well Regulations Hearing was further continued to Tuesday, August 6 at 7:00 pm.

Hawley Fuel  and Sand bids (2 for Diesel, 4 for Propane, 1 for Wood Pellets, and 2 for Winter Sand) were opened and awarded for FY20 – click HERE for complete results.

(Town Admin. Asst. Cass Nawrocki Reporting) ABOUT 30 PEOPLE ATTENDED the celebration of the repair and reopening of Middle Road. Weather was perfect, sunny and breezy, with some dark clouds holding off until the visiting, viewing of ‘before’ pictures, and refreshments at the Town Office were done.

After the slow drive along Hunt and Middle Roads — by a caravan of almost a dozen rugged, dusty vehicles —  most participants spoke of being impressed with how large a job it was to bring Middle Road into it’s current condition.  Clearly this was a long and expensive project for which we are grateful! 

The Gathering Before . . .	. . . The Meeting After.

THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION and Recreation, in concert with the Town of Hawley, is planning a triumphant road tour of the Hawley Middle Road repairs and environs, on Saturday, July 6.

Here are some details:

• Festivities begin at 12:30 at the HAWLEY FIRE STATION, 16 Plainfield Road (East Hawley Road) (directions).
• The tour will proceed from the Fire Station / DCR parking lot by selected areas of interest in the State Forest, concluding at approximately 2:45 with a celebratory gathering at the HAWLEY TOWN OFFICE, 8 Pudding Hollow Road (directions).
• Light refreshments will be served.
• Bring vehicles appropriate for back country roads, 4 wheel drive, and woods gear to fully be able to enjoy the celebration.

In the Monday, June 17  Special Election, with a total of 76 Hawley Voters, 62 voted for Bob MacLean and 14 for CourtneyAnn Hoyt for the position of SelectPerson. 

Write-in votes only were cast for Hawlemont School Committee member. Suzanne Crawford was the winner and has accepted the position.

Here is the tally:

Congratulations and thanks to all who participated.