Jared Bellows News Today

Editor’s note: The Greenfield Recorder has been publishing stories about what Franklin County residents can likely expect to see happening in their towns in 2023. Details about projects in the western part of the county were shared in two parts. This...

CHARLEMONT — William Harker won a five-month term on the Selectboard during Tuesday’s special election, earning six more votes than challenger Robert Handsaker.“I’ve been in this town since 1944. I’m just trying to help the board out,” Harker, 86,...

CHARLEMONT — The three candidates vying for two Selectboard seats made their appeals to the public on Wednesday evening in a lightly attended meet-and-greet at Hawlemont Regional School.Robert Handsaker and William Harker are competing for the...

Local police chiefs say Franklin County is left facing “a learning curve” as local departments face staffing challenges in the wake of police reform measures from 2020.“I think this has hurt the hilltowns a lot,” said Jared Bellows, Charlemont police...

Retired cop, teacher elected to Charlemont Selectboard in uncontested race Staff Report Related stories CHARLEMONT — Dan Girard became the town’s newest Selectboard member on Tuesday night, receiving 67 votes in an uncontested race in the town election. According to Town Clerk Kathy Reynolds, 78 of Charlemont’s 919 registered voters cast their ballots, resulting in a roughly 8.5 percent voter turnout. Polls were open from noon to 7 p.m. at the Fire Station. Speaking Monday in advance of...

Online fundraiser to aid Charlemont sawmill’s rebuild after fire The leveled sawmill building at Hall Tavern Farm in Charlemont. Staff Photo/Paul Franz The scorched sawmill at the scene of an early morning fire that destroyed the sawmill building at Hall Tavern Farm in Charlemont. Staff Photo/Paul Franz Owner Jared Bellows and former owner Jay Healy survey the remains of the sawmill building while standing in the foundation at Hall Tavern Farm in Charlemont that was leveled by a fire. The lum...