The Villages of the Shadowbrook Estate Condominums

Vote-by-mail applications were recently sent out to registered voters in South Hadley. If you did not receive an application, a form is available online to request one. Voters can request Vote-by-Mail ballots for both fall 2020 elections:

• State Primary on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 
• Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Once you receive your ballot, you may promptly fill it out and return your ballot and signed yellow ballot envelope in the postage-paid return envelope provided. You will be able to track your ballot online at http://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx. Ballots can also be returned in person to the Town Clerk’s office. If you decide not to mail the ballot back or if it doesn’t reach Town Hall by election day, you can still vote in person at South Hadley High School. 

Those who are not yet registered to vote still have time to do so:

• August 22, 2020 is the last day to register to vote for the State Primary Election on September 1.
• October 24, 2020 is the last day to register to vote for the Presidential Election on November 3. 
• To check registration status or register, visit: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

In-person early voting for the September Primary Election will take place at the South Hadley Public Library on Canal Street:

• Sat, Aug 22, 9am-1pm
• Mon, Aug 24 to Wed, Aug 26, 10am-2pm
• Thu, Aug 27, 3-7pm
• Fri, Aug 28, 10am-2pm

For more information, including a video about Vote-by-Mail, see: https://southhadley.org/156/Clerk

Home delivery of library items from the Gaylord Memorial Library branch is now available to South Hadley residents who have health or transportation issues that keep them from the library. This service allows patrons to have materials selected and delivered on a monthly basis. Homebound delivery recipients must be home or have a household member available to receive the contactless delivery at the scheduled date/time. Details are available at: https://gaylordlibrary.org/homebound-delivery/.

Registration for Library Programs can now be done through the library calendar.  As the number of virtual programs for children and adults increases, residents will need to register in order to receive information needed to attend Zoom programs.  While you’re browsing the calendar, check out the many summer programs being offered in July and August.

Upcoming virtual lectures include: Racism in the Suffrage Movement, Wed 7/15 from 6:30-7:30pm; The Pink Tax, Sat 8/1 from 11am-12pm; Susan B. Anthony, Wed 8/5 from 6:30 to 7:30pm; Economics of Voting and Game Theory, Sat 8/29 from 11am-12pm (to register, go to the Library calendar and click on the event).

Library Card Applications are now available online for people who do not have a library card!  From the library catalog, click on the option to “Request Library Card” at the bottom of the page or you can click here to go directly to the form.  The submitted application will be reviewed by staff and a new library card will be mailed to your address.

Lobby service is available at the main South Hadley Public Library, Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 5:00. Items from the South Hadley library’s collection (CLICK HERE FOR OUR ONLINE CATALOG) can be requested online or by phone and patrons will be contacted when the materials are ready for them. You must wear a mask when visiting the library.  Details are available at: http://www.shadleylib.org.

Town parks, playgrounds, outdoor basketball courts, athletic fields, and town trails are now are now open, but with limitations. Restrooms are closed, trash receptacles are limited, as are group size and length of stay. Please visit the South Hadley Recreation Department’s web page for additional details and policies on use: www.southhadley.org/291/Recreation-Department.

Under a prior order, town buildings (including South Hadley Town Hall, libraries, senior center, schools, transfer station, DPW offices and Old Firehouse Museum) were closed to the public.  Town staff continue to work remotely with limited services online and via email. The library has recently started a program where books from the local collection can reserved and curbside pickup arranged.

Beginning Tuesday, July 7, 2020 the South Hadley Transfer station will reopen by appointment and prepayment only. Hours of operation are expanded to reduce crowding, but residents must have a sticker and a confirmed reservation (times booked in 5-minute intervals). There is a new fee schedule and online prepayment for items is also required now for use of the transfer station. For complete details, please visit: https://www.southhadley.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=460

The Town is now offering home delivery of the green trash bags required for trash pickup. There are two ways for residents to order the bags:

1) Download and print an order form and mail it, with a check payable to Town of South Hadley, to the address listed on the form. There is no charge for delivery. A $10 minimum order is required. The form is available at: https://www.southhadley.org/DocumentCenter/View/6380/Green-Bag-Order-Form

2) Bags may be ordered online through Invoice Cloud, a fee-based service that charges a 2.95% transaction fee and a $1 minimum service charge for credit card payments.

If you can’t print the order form and need a paper form mailed to you, or have other questions, you call the Solid Waste Coordinator at 413-538-5033 o email greenbags@southhadleyma.gov.  Orders will not be taken by phone. Information can be found on the Town website at: https://www.southhadley.org/1031/Order-Green-Trash-Bags

All South Hadley parks, playgrounds and playscapes, hiking trails, playing fields, and other recreational areas remain closed until further notice. Town offices and buildings remain closed in accordance with state emergency orders and guidance on COVID-19, which has been extended to May 18, 2020.

This action is consistent with Governor Baker’s order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more, the directive to implement social distancing, and the state’s Stay-at-Home Advisory. South Hadley outdoor facilities that are now closed to the public include the Ledges Golf Club, Beachgrounds Park, Buttery Brook Park, Town Farm Field, school field/playgrounds, and town hiking trails. All playground playscapes are closed as the cleanliness level of the structures cannot be ensured. Close contact activities such as pick-up sports games are not allowed under the advisory.

Under a prior order, town buildings (including South Hadley Town Hall, libraries, senior center, schools, transfer station, DPW offices and Old Firehouse Museum) have been closed to the public. There is limited public access to the police department. Town staff continue to work remotely with limited services online and via email.

The public is encouraged to stay home. If it absolutely necessary to go out in public, please maintain social distancing. For local COVID-19 updates, visit: www.southhadley.org/covid19

The state of Massachusetts has fact sheets and other information about the new (novel) coronavirus, COVID-19, available on the state website: https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Daily COVID-19 Dashboard Report and Weekly (on Wednesdays) Cases by City/Town Reports: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-cases-quarantine-and-monitoring.

Information about Massachusetts unemployment benefits and COVID-19: https://www.mass.gov/applying-for-unemployment-benefits

An informative article on social distancing and ‘flattening the curve’ of infections: https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation

Anyone who suspects they may have COVID-19 is advised to call their medical provider first, rather than going unannounced to a hospital or doctor’s office. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has a 24/7 hotline at 617.983.6800.

Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center and interactive map: https://coronavirus.jhu.edu