Transfer station to open July 7 by appointment only

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

Order green trash bags for home delivery

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

More Bears

On Sunday, June 14 around 4:30pm, a Shadowbrook resident encountered a medium size bear, which growled as she approached the path between Shadowbrook and Buttery Brook Park (southeast corner of our property).  Our last bear sighting – behind Unit 85 about 3 months ago – was in the same area, and that bear had come out onto our lawn.  It therefore seems that the wooded area between the park and Shadowbrook is now part of one or more bears’ territory.  

All Shadowbrook residents are therefore advised to avoid the path and instead take Baker Street and Rte. 33 to one of the regular park entrances.

The incident was reported to the MA Environmental Police who registered the sighting and their biologist was informed.  There have been several other reports from South Hadley.  We were advised that bears are particularly active at this time, mamas and cubs plus also looking for mates. 

South Hadley Library Services

The South Hadley Public Library is pleased to announce expanded services.
CURBSIDE PICKUP will now be offered for items available on the shelves of the South Hadley Public Library (SHPL) and the Gaylord Memorial Library To request items for pickup:

  1. Search our online catalog, limiting your search to South Hadley, to find items you want: CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE CATALOG
  2. Log into the catalog to place a hold OR call the library at 413-538-5045 with your requests.
  3. Staff are also happy to select a “grab bag” of books, DVDs, etc., for you based on interest and availability. 
  4. Library staff will collect and check out your items, bag them, and schedule an appointment for you to pick them up at SHPL.
  5. The bag with your name on it will be placed in the library vestibule, just inside the front doors. 
  6. If an order is not picked up on time we will hold them inside and schedule another pickup time. Items not picked up after two scheduled times will be checked in and reshelved.
  7. New items are added every week. Subscribe to our Wowbrary email newsletter to see what’s new: CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO WOWBRARY

Your South Hadley library card also gives you access to streaming movies, concerts, language instruction, college lectures, Spanish language entertainment, and more.  Click here to see the possibilities! 

SUMMER LIBRARY PROGRAMS: Register today for the 2020 South Hadley Public Library Summer Program!  This year’s summer library program at South Hadley Public Libraries will have a different look as staff begin with virtual programs along with take & make crafts for kids and teens, then move to more interactive programming as reopening guidelines evolve over the summer.  The theme for the 2020 Summer Library Program is “Imagine Your Story” and will include themes of fairy tales, mythology, and fantasy. Adult programs include virtual speakers via Zoom and take & make projects. Check the library calendar for specific event information.  All registrants will be eligible for end of summer prizes.

South Hadley is also participating in the first ever First Lady and Blades Summer Reading Challenge, a collaboration between the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, First Lady of the Commonwealth Lauren Baker, and the Boston Bruins.  Registered participants will be entered into a statewide drawing for Bruins prizes which include riding a Zamboni, high fiving the players, sitting on the bench during pregame, and signed memorabilia including jerseys and pucks. 

Follow us on Facebook for even more library updates & information!

Fibersonic Internet and Phone Service

In recent months the South Hadley Electric Light Department (SHELD) began installing infrastructure to deliver new high-speed internet service to provide services to residents at competitive rates. For condominiums, obtaining service begins with asking SHELD to complete a study of the property, and the Board recently approved this first step. Once the study is completed, costs will be outlined in a presentation; if enough individual owners (60%) elect to purchase internet service for their units through SHELD, there will be no cost to the community. Service could be available sometime in 2021 or possibly early 2022, depending on Covid-19 delays.

One thing our owners can do NOW is to visit the www.fibersonic.com website to learn more about this new, locally owned and serviced option. Please use the ‘click here to apply’ button and then enter your address on the next page. There is NO obligation—this just helps SHELD gauge interest. Once we are all able to meet in person again, we will plan a presentation for everyone that includes information about ‘cord-cutter’ alternatives to cable.

South Hadley outdoor facilities and public buildings closed

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

COVID-19 Information

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

South Hadley COVID-19 Update

The Town announced that its first confirmed case was identified on Wednesday, March 25 and additional positive cases have been identified as of March 27. Residents are urged to be vigilant with social distancing and hand washing.

  • Recreation Areas remain open, but residents are urged to practice social distancing and not to use parks, playgrounds, fields/courts, trails, and other resources if feeling ill.
  • The Transfer Station and compost area are closed until further notice. Please do not leave green bags or other refuse.
  • Curbside pick-up by Republic Services will continue as scheduled. Green bags are still required for trash pickup.
  • Town buildings are closed until further notice. Staff may be contacted by phone using the staff/department directory at: www.southhadley.org/directory.aspx
  • For non-emergency police services, please call ahead (413.538.8231) to see if officers can assist you without coming in to the station. The Department also maintains a Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/SouthHadleyMassPoliceDepartment
  • The main and Gaylord libraries are closed and all programs canceled. Items on loan will be renewed with no limits and no fines charged for overdue items. Materials can be returned in the library book drop. Patron holds will be kept until buildings reopen.
  • The Council on Aging, currently located at St. Theresa’s Church, is closed and transportation services are suspended.
  • A daily hot meal can be delivered to any South Hadley senior 60-years and over. Contact WestMass ElderCare at 413.538.9020.

For local COVID-19 impacts to South Hadley and its services, please visit: southhadleyma.gov/covid19.

Sign up to receive the latest information with the “News & Announcements” section on the town website. You can subscribe for automatic notifications at: https://www.southhadley.org/list.aspx.

Bear Sightings

Residents have reported bear sightings in recent months in different sections of our community. The most recent sighting was early Saturday morning, March 7, behind units near Buttery Brook Park in the new section. The South Hadley Police have been getting a lot of calls of late about bears from all over town, and they refer residents to the state Environmental Police. A PDF with information about black bears and tips for residents can be downloaded at: www.mass.gov/media/10601/. More information from Mass. Wildlife is available at: www.mass.gov/service-details/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-bear-in-town.