The Villages of the Shadowbrook Estate Condominums

At the November 10, 2020 South Hadley Selectboard meeting a developer working in the disposal industry presented a proposal to use space at the now-closed solid waste facility at 600 New Ludlow Road for construction soils that cannot be used onsite because of site constraints, geotechnical properties, or levels of contamination of the materials. The South Hadley facility was closed and capped in 2014, with groundwater testing and environmental monitoring to continue. The Selectboard has encouraged Closure Management, the Holyoke company formed in 2019 that made the proposal, to attend meetings of the Conservation Commission, Board of Health, and Planning Board to gauge interest and possible support.

The public is also being encouraged to review the proposal and comment on the project using a Google Form set up by the Town. A recent news story published on November 12, 2020 in the Daily Hampshire Gazette provides some additional information.

A number of residents have noticed recently that the fur on some of the foxes living around Shadowbrook doesn’t look right. This is likely due to Sarcoptic mange, which is apparently fairly common among foxes. Animals with this condition are not generally considered a threat to people and pets, but people should not interact with them. Affected animals will seek protection from wind, shade, and sun because it affects their ability to thermoregulate, and it’s itchy. The website links that follow provide some additional information:

MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife–Living with Foxes Fact Sheet (general info about foxes)
MetroWest News–South Shore Mange Sightings 9/15/19:
https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/20190915/experts-urge-caution-amid-spate-of-south-shore-mange-sightings
Tufts Wildlife Clinic:
https://wildlife.tufts.edu/wildlife-mange/
Fox Wood Wildlife Rescue Blog:
http://www.foxwoodwildliferescue.org/2017/01/05/treating-sarcoptic-mange-in-red-foxes/

•   Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020
    October 24, 2020 is the last day to register to vote for the Presidential Election.

To vote by mail this fall: Registered voters who submit a 2020 Vote-by-Mail application will receive their requested ballots by mail. You may promptly fill out your ballot, place it inside the signed yellow ballot envelope, and then put the yellow ballot envelope into the postage-paid return envelope provided. The return envelope can be returned either by mail or by dropping it in the secure ballot box located behind town hall by the police station. The box is monitored and contents are picked up regularly. Each return envelope has a return address sticker with a barcode so you can track your ballot online at www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx. 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 either during early voting hours at the Library or at South Hadley High School on election day.

To request a vote by mail application if you have not already done so:
https://www.southhadley.org/DocumentCenter/View/6982/2020-Vote-by-Mail-Application

ON THE BALLOT:
The ballot will include the national offices of President, Vice President, US Senator, and US Representative. State offices include Governor’s Council, state Senator, state Representative, and other offices. There will be two Massachusetts ballot questions, on automobile repairs and ranked choice voting. A PDF of the booklet that was mailed out to residents can be found at: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/IFV_2020.pdf

In-person EARLY VOTING for the November 3, 2020 election is scheduled at the South Hadley Public Library, 2 Canal Street:

•    Sat, Oct 17, 9am-1pm
•    Sun, Oct 18, 9am-1pm
•    Mon, Oct 18 through Fri, Oct 23, 10am-2pm
•    Sat, Oct 24, 9am-1pm
•    Sun, Oct 25, 9am-1pm
•    Mon, Oct 26 through Fri, Oct 30, 10am-2pm

On Election Day, all South Hadley precincts will vote at:
South Hadley High School, 153 Newton Street, South Hadley
Election Hours are usually 7:00am to 8:00pm

Be sure you’re registered to vote—check/update your status, or register at:
Massachusetts Online Voter Registration (OVR) System

For more South Hadley election information:
https://www.southhadley.org/156/Clerk

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.