Hadley officials ponder new levee for flood-risk protection
A family takes a stroll on the Connecticut River levee in Hadley, March 8. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY Before a decision is made to pursue construction of a 1.4-mile-long levee system on Bay Road to protect the town center against 100-year floods from the Connecticut River, engineering consultants anticipate giving town officials more information about the project and the condition of the existing flood control system.
As soon as annual Town Meeting later this month, residents could be asked to spend $150,000 so Woodard & Curran engineering consultants of Andover can evaluate options, engage the public and develop a plan and cost estimates for what could be a multimillion-dollar construction project, as well as expensive repairs to existing levees.
A new town budget, a new sewer budget and a new method for choosing the town s police chief were among the highlights of this week s Bourne Special/Annual Town Meeting.
More than 100 people filled the gymnasium at Bourne Middle School for Town Meeting Monday night, May 3. A total of 115 voting residents were in attendance when Town Meeting commenced, far exceeding the reduced quorum of 15 that town officials had recently approved. It was also more than double the 56 residents who were in attendance at the start of last November s Special Town Meeting.
Residents voted on a total of 21 articles, including Article 2 on the Annual Town Meeting warrant, authorizing the townâs proposed $71,735,576 general operating budget for Fiscal Year 2022. The approved amount represents a 1.53 percent increase over the current operating budget.
Taproom in Sandwich faces stormy seas, brewery in Deerfield smoother sailing
Matthew Tota
Correspondent
Daniel J. Bailey III and the Sandwich residents he represents do not care we think they rank among the biggest buzzkills in the state.
In trying to stymie one of the most popular breweries in the world’s bid to open a beachside oasis, they expected to face an angry sea of detractors. But Bailey said his clients have no gripes with Tree House Brewing Co. the business, only the way in which Sandwich officials have handled the Charlton brewery’s proposed taproom, beer garden and retail outlet on Town Neck Beach.
The Maynard Select Board approved a non-essential outdoor water use restriction at its May 4 meeting.
The restriction goes into effect on May 5, and prohibits outdoor water use between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Level 1 water restriction is part of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection water withdrawal permit for Maynard.
The hourly restriction will also help the town’s water system meet peak demand.
Examples of non-essential outdoor water uses include, but are not limited to:
Uses not required for health or safety reasons;
Watering lawns with sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems;
Washing vehicles, except as necessary for operator safety; and