9/13/23-South Hadley Affordable Housing Forum

South Hadley residents are invited to attend a Community Forum at 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at the South Hadley Senior Center, 45 Dayton Street. This is the third forum to be held as part of a process to update the town’s Housing Production Plan (HPP) to discuss and analyze South Hadley’s current housing stock and affordability relative to our population and demographics. Your input is important!

The draft Housing Production Plan (HPP), developed by the Town in coordination with Outwith Studio, and an Executive Summary are available online: 

Hard copies are available for review at Town Hall (116 Main St. Room U6-Planning and Conservation Dept.), South Hadley Public Library (1 Canal St.), Gaylord Library (47 College St.), and South Hadley Senior Center (45 Dayton St.).

Comments on the draft plan may be submitted by October 25, 2023 via a Google form, available at: https://forms.gle/AJBHUMufKXuBoZJY9.

The Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on the draft Plan via Zoom at their meeting on Monday, September 25th at 7:00pm. The agenda and meeting link can be found at: https://southhadley.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09252023-5173

For more information about the HPP project, visit:

Development of the Plan has been guided by an Advisory Committee, consisting of appointed community members, and will ultimately be adopted by the Planning Board and Selectboard following a public hearing process after which it will receive State review and approval. The process is established by the State Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, formerly the Department of Housing and Community Development, and seeks to demonstrate strategies to increase opportunities for affordable housing.

FALL 2023–FREE ONLINE SERIES ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
9/20, 10/19, 11/15 from 7-9pm on Zoom
To learn more about affordable housing in western Massachusetts, plan to attend a free online series this fall on three Wednesday nights from 7-9pm in September, October, and November, with guest speakers, including case studies from developers of nearby projects:
https://www.southhadley.org/1373/What-is-Affordable-Housing

Still have questions? You can contact Anne Capra, Director of Planning and Conservation at (413) 538-5030 x6128 or acapra@southhadleyma.go

Gaylord Library Wine Downs are back for fall!

Looking for a fun way to meet new people and connect with old friends? Come to this month’s Wine Down on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 5:30-7pm at the Gaylord Library, 47 College Street, South Hadley and mingle in the historic library rotunda. The event helps to support the Friends of the Gaylord Library, and everyone over the age of 21 is cordially invited; Entry fee is $10. This month we will be collecting school supply donations and donating raffle proceeds to Operation Backpack.

Growing Wild Workshop: Planting for Hummingbirds

On Thursday, September 14, at 6 p.m., the South Hadley Conservation Commission is hosting the third in its Growing Wild series at the South Hadley Public Library. Larri Cochran, co-president of the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, will be the guest speaker. More information about the talk and additional resources are available at: https://www.southhadley.org/1345/Growing-Wild

South Hadley Falls Bird Walk on September 8th

The South Hadley Conservation Commission, in collaboration with the Hampshire Bird Club, is hosting a walk for the public at 8am on Saturday, September 9, 2023 to investigate the birds living, flying and feeding below South Hadley Falls. The group will meet at 8 a.m. at the entrance to Texon Mill Park. Park at the South Hadley Public Library parking lot at 2 Canal Street, and walk down the hill at the rear of the lot to the entry gate for Texon Mill Park.

In advance of the September 9th bird walk, the Hampshire Bird Club is also hosting an optional Zoom talk and discussion on Tuesday, September 5, from 7-8 p.m. to acquaint people with the birds they may see the following Saturday, as well as how to prepare for the walk. Please register for the Zoom talk at https://bit.ly/2023bfe.  ​

Stars Above Circus Show at Buttery Brook Park-July 25 and 26

Hideaway Circus: Stars Above
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 4:00pm (tickets required)
Tuesday, July 25 at 7:00pm (tickets required)
Despite a delayed 8pm start due to rain on Tuesday, the show went on for a good crowd! (photo below)

The Hideway Circus-Stars Above northeast outdoor circus tour is at Buttery Brook Park for two shows in July. To purchase tickets, view a video trailer, and general information about the family friendly show and what to bring, see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stars-above-south-hadley-ma-tickets-623742399307. For more information about the Stars Above tour, visit: https://www.starsabovecircus.com/

Buttery Brook Park is located at 123 Willimansett Street (Route 33), South Hadley, MA.

July 2023 at Buttery Brook Park

South Hadley’s Buttery Brook Park (https://www.southhadley.org/1200/Buttery-Brook-Park) will host a number of special family-friendly activities this month, including an outdoor circus, morning concerts, and the annual big rig day. Ongoing summer events include Friday Cruise Nights and a Wednesday afternoon Farmers Market. The park grounds offer pickleball and basketball courts, a spray park, playgrounds, shaded picnic areas, and restroom facilities.

Buttery Brook Park is located at 123 Willimansett Street (Route 33), South Hadley, MA.

The South Hadley Recreation Department (http://southhadleyrecreation.org) also offers a number of Summer Programs for youth, including South Hadley Trail Runs, Tennis, Golf, Basketball, Art-ventures, and Skyhawks Sports & Games.

Hideaway Circus: Stars Above Outdoor Circus Show, 

Tuesday, July 25 at 7:00pm (tickets required)
IMPORTANT: START TIME MOVED TO 8:00PM ON TUESDAY, JULY, 25th due to storms
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at 4:00pm (tickets required)
The Stars Above northeast outdoor circus tour is coming to Buttery Brook Park in July for two shows. To purchase tickets, view a video trailer, and general information about the family friendly show and what to bring, see: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stars-above-south-hadley-ma-tickets-623742399307. For more information about the Stars Above tour, visit: https://www.starsabovecircus.com/

Free Children’s Summer Concert Series

Wednesdays from 10:00-11:00am:
July 12, 2023 – Annie and the Natural Wonder Band
https://www.facebook.com/annieandthenaturalwonderband/
July 19, 2023 – Tom Knight 
https://tomknight.com/
July 26, 2023 – In the Nick of time 
https://www.inthenickoftimemusic.com/

The South Hadley Family Center hosts three children’s summer concerts under the pavilion at Buttery Brook Park. Concerts are free and take place on Wednesdays from 10am -11am. Please bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the concerts. This program is supported in part by the South Hadley Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Annual Big Rig Day 

Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 10am to 12pm
This longtime Buttery Brook Park favorite features fire trucks, police cars, utility trucks, ambulances and more. Climb into the cabs and meet the people who operate these fascinating vehicles at this unique, free, kid-friendly event co-hosted by SHELD/Fibersonic, the Friends of Buttery Book Park, All Star Dairy, and the South Hadley Recreation Department. Don’t miss this great, free family event!

Friday Cruise Nights 

Fridays from 5pm to Dusk, May 19 to September 8, 2023
2023 Cruise Nights (pdf)
Buttery Brook Park Friends’ Cruise Nights are held from 5:00pm to dusk each week during the season, which generally runs from the Friday before Memorial Day to the Friday after Labor Day. The public is invited to come and see each week’s vintage vehicles (admission is free) and enjoy pleasant warm-weather nights at the Park. Beverages including beer, soda, and water are available from the Friends and South Hadley-based Foley’s Franks food wagon is on site. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Park in 2023! Funds raised through Cruise Nights help to support Park improvements. For more information about Cruise Nights and inclement weather cancellations, see: http://www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark

Wednesday Farmers’ Market South Hadley 

Wednesdays from 2-6pm
May 24 to October 11, 2023  (rain or shine)
Buttery Brook Park will welcome a great new attraction in 2023! Enjoy the park while you shop, along with fare from a local food truck. A SNAP match program will be available. Visit the Market’s website at farmersmarketsouthhadley.com or Farmers’ Market South Hadley on Facebook for more information.

2023-2024 season tickets for area venues

For lovers of live performance, now is a great time to check out these area venues and their season ticket options for the coming 2023-2024 season.

The Majestic Theater in nearby West Springfield, MA has been a regional favorite for high-quality, locally-produced professional live theater since 1997. Each season consists of five productions (including at least one musical) in an intimate theater with plenty of good seats. Season ticket holders can easily change tickets to another date if a conflict arises. Information about the 2023-2024 season can be found at: https://www.majestictheater.com/index.html. Tickets for the annual summer program of musical tribute acts and live children’s theater are also available.

The Fine Arts Center at UMass/Amherst offers a variety of high-quality entertainment, from world music and dance, Jazz greats like Branford Marsalis, to Cirque Mechanics: Zephyr, and The Simon & Garfunkel Story theatrical production. Choose at least 3 shows to subscribe and save 15% (and the ability to swap tickets if a conflict arises). Events for the 2023-2024 season can be viewed at: https://fac.umass.edu/Online/default.asp. Performance venues include the Tillis Performance Hall/Bromery Center for the Arts, Bowker Auditorium at Stockbridge Hall, and UMass Old Chapel.

The Bushnell Theater in Hartford, CT has opened subscription sales for their 2023-2024 Broadway season, which includes shows like Wicked and Frozen. The theater is about an hour’s drive, and parking for evening and weekend shows is free at nearby CT government lots, making it a very convenient location for seeing Broadway shows.

Take the South Hadley Housing Survey by July 16!

Last summer, our town started a process to update South Hadley’s Housing Production Plan. Since then there have been a series of community engagement activities, including two public forums on housing. The most recent Housing Production Plan forum, on June 22, 2022 at the South Hadley Senior Center and on Zoom, offered residents an opportunity to learn about housing development and constraints in our community and discuss draft goals, strategies and opportunities to create much-needed housing for people of all incomes and stages of life.

As a follow-up to the recent forum, an online survey is available so that residents can provide their important feedback on draft goals, strategies, and opportunities to create new housing in South Hadley. The Housing Survey is now open and the comment period has been extended to July 16th. Please share your input by taking the survey at: links.shhousingplan.org/survey2  

Those who were unable to attend the June 22 forum can watch a recording of the meeting online at: https://vimeo.com/839763093. A PDF of the slide show presentation, which provides an overview of the plan process, timeline, and information about zoning concerns and potential strategies is available at: https://shhousingplan.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/SH-HPP-CF-2-Presentation.pdf.

The process will continue through fall 2023, when a completed planning document will be submitted for adoption by the Selectboard and Planning Board, as well as approval by the MA Department of Housing and Community Development. The plan is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). To learn more about the project, visit the Housing Production Plan website and sign up for email updates: https://shhousingplan.org. If you have additional questions, you can contact Planning and Conservation Department Director, Anne Capra, by email at acapra@southhadleyma.org or by phone at (413) 538-5017 x6128.

Summer Wine Down at Gaylord Library

The public is invited to the monthly Wine Down on Friday, June 9, 2023 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the Gaylord Library branch, 47 College Street, South Hadley. Come support the Friends of the Gaylord Library and mingle in the historic library rotunda–it’s a great way to connect with others and meet new people! Everyone over the age of 21 is cordially invited; Entry fee is $10. This event is open to the public. For information, see: https://gaylordlibrary.org/winedown

If you are interested in getting more involved with the Gaylord Memorial Library Association or helping out with events like a Wine Down, please fill out a form at the circulation desk and we will be in touch!

Fire District 1 Special Meeting

South Hadley Fire District 1, the district that serves Shadowbrook, held a special meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 for a vote on a warrant article to fund salaries. Article 5 failed to pass at the Annual Meeting on April 27 after many of those present expressed a desire for more detail about the items to be funded than what was provided. A recording of the special meeting to complete the vote on that warrant article is available on the Channel 15 website (https://shctv15.com/), with a direct link to the video at: https://vimeo.com/828134384?embedded=true&source=video_title&owner=1326098.