South Hadley Bike/Walk to offer free bike lights on December 9

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, volunteers from the South Hadley Bike/Walk Committee will be distributing free bike lights to South Hadley area cyclists as part of MassBike’s Lights Brigade program. Free sets of lights will be available near the Log Cabin at Buttery Brook Park from 5:30 to 7:00pm during Santa’s Land, or until the supply runs out. 

STAY SAFE!  STAY LEGAL! USE LIGHTS AT NIGHT! 
Having front and rear lights on your bike is crucial. Without working lights, you are practically invisible to vehicles. All bike riders in Massachusetts are legally required to have front white lights, red rear lights, and rear and side reflectors when riding anytime from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. 

MassBike’s Lights Brigade program supplies volunteers with free bike lights to distribute to cyclists in their community. Many riders find themselves out at night without the required lights to help them stay visible to drivers and others on the roads and paths, while being in compliance with the law. The #LightsBrigade program by MassBike engages riders using community paths and roads and provides free bicycle lights. You can learn more at www.massbike.org/lightsbrigade.

MassBike is the statewide bicycling advocacy group for Massachusetts. A member-supported 501(c) non-profit, MassBike works to create a state that is safe and welcoming for all bicyclists whether experienced or just getting on a bike for the first time. Programs include promoting bicycle-friendly legislation; improving bicycle access and safety on roads and public transportation; educating bicyclists, motorists, police, and children about bicycling. MassBike’s vision encompasses bicycling as transportation, recreation, and a lot of fun. For more information visit www.massbike.org.

For more information about South Hadley Bike/Walk, visit us on the Town website at: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. 

Should inclement weather force the cancellation of Santa’s Land, the Lights Brigade event will also be canceled. For weather notices, please see  www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark or www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation.

Nomination Papers available starting December 4 for the March 5, 2024 Town Election

Nomination papers for the 2024 Town Election are available from Monday, December 4, 2023 until Thursday, January 11, 2024 in the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, 116 Main St., South Hadley, MA. Nomination papers may be obtained during office hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm and Fridays from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. Accommodations for appointments outside of regular office hours are available.

Interested candidates must be registered voters in the Town of South Hadley. To appear on the ballot, candidates must obtain nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s Office and have them signed by local registered voters. Town-wide offices require 50 signatures on nomination papers from registered voters in South Hadley. Town Meeting Member offices require 10 signatures from registered voters in their respective precinct. It is recommended that prospective candidates obtain more than the minimum number of signatures.

Papers for the following seats will be available:

  • Town Moderator – 1 Seat – 3 Year Term
  • Selectboard – 2 Seats – 3 Year Term
  • School Committee – 2 Seats – 3 Year Term
  • Board of Health – 1 Seat – 3 Year Term
  • Municipal Light Board – 2 Seats – 3 Year Term
  • Board of Assessors – 1 Seat – 3 Year Term
  • Housing Authority – 1 Seat – 3 Year Term
  • Trustee Free Public Library – 3 Seats – 3 Year Term
  • Planning Board – 2 Seats – 3 Year Term
  • Town Meeting Members – 8 Seats Per Precinct – 3 Year Term
  • Town Meeting Member – 2 Seats, Precinct A – 2 Year Term
  • Town Meeting Member – 1 Seat, Precinct C – 2 Year Term
  • Town Meeting Member – 1 Seat, Precinct C – 1 Year Term

Once the candidate has obtained all the needed signatures, nomination papers must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 for signatures to be certified. 

The Annual Town Election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Presidential Primary.

Interested candidates may direct their questions and comments to the Town Clerk’s Office by phone at 413-538-5030, ext. 6183 or by email at elections@southhadleyma.gov. For more information about voting and elections in South Hadley, visit: www.southhadley.org/620/Elections. A flyer about running for local office (PDF) is available on the Town website. 

2023 Santa’s Land at Buttery Brook Park

Thursday thru Sunday, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm
December 7-10 and December 14-17, 2023

The Friends of Buttery Brook Park and Park Staff welcome everyone to this 51st year of Santa’s Land. Come and visit in-person with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves! 

After visiting with Santa, children receive a cookie and coloring book from Mrs. Claus. There is no admission charge, but donations in support of the Park are always appreciated. Optional pictures can be taken with Santa at a cost of $5, and families are also welcome to take their own photos. While your Santa photos are printed, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate (available at no charge on the log cabin porch) and take a walk to delight in all of the displays outside. You are welcome to take your own pictures with Santa if you choose. 

While there is no mask requirement, please feel free to wear them if you prefer. To reduce the number of people inside the log cabin at any one time, visitors are admitted in small groups from the line that forms outside by the playground. Free parking is available.

Please be sure to dress for time outdoors. Santa’s Land information and updates, including any weather cancellations, are posted on Facebook at, https://www.facebook.com/butterybrookpark or https://www.facebook.com/southhadleyrecreation

PARK LOCATION:
Buttery Brook Park, 123 Willimansett Street (Route 33), South Hadley, MA 01075
https://www.southhadley.org/1200/Buttery-Brook-Park

Paving Project

Residents should be aware that trucks will be on site this week for some pavement repair work to roads and driveways throughout the Association. Please note that these repair needs have been identified and scheduled by the contractor under a contract that has been priced and approved by the Board, so workers are unable to address additions while they are on site. Owners whose driveways are involved have been individually notified. If your driveway is being repaired and the repair extends across your driveway, please avoid driving over the new asphalt for a 24-hour period to allow it to harden. If for some reason you must drive over new asphalt, please don’t stop or park your vehicle on the new pavement. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the management office at 413-732-2158.

2023 Buttery Brook Fall Fest Rescheduled to 10/27-10/29

Due to inclement weather, the Buttery Brook Park Fall Fest has been moved (from 10/20 to 10/22/23) to Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29, 2023. Pickleball Tournament times will remain the same for all three days.  

NEW DATES: Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29, 2023
Pickleball, Food, Beer Tent, and Music!
2023 Fall Fest Flyer-New Dates (pdf)

Hosted by Pickleball South Hadley and the Friends of Buttery Brook Park, Fall Fest will take place from Friday, October 27 through Sunday, October 29, 2023. On Friday, 10/27 the event kicks off with afternoon Men’s Pickleball Tournaments. On Saturday, 10/28, Women’s Pickleball Tournaments begin at 9am, and Mixed Divisions start at 3pm. On Sunday 10/29, the Beer Tent and Dev’s Mac ‘N Eats Food Truck will be open from 12-5pm and The Willies will perform on the basketball court from 1 to 5pm. Come in costume to celebrate ‘Pickleween!’ at 2pm. Prizes awarded for best costumes and pickleball challenges. Sunday Pickleball tournaments include Jumble Division at 9am and 12pm High School/College Division (some room is still available for the high school/college; sign up on TeamReach-code is 01075).

Bring a chair and come to the pickleball courts to support our competitors and enjoy the games!

For current details, visit South Hadley Pickleball on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083090534223

Odyssey Books Calendar

Our local independent bookstore, Odyssey Books, is located at 9 College Street in the Village Commons. The store can be accessed on the bottom floor from the rear parking lot, and there is a street level entrance to their main floor across from the Town Commons, at the end with the gazebo. Odyssey offers several book clubs each month, along with numerous author appearances. To view the calendar of events, visit: https://www.odysseybks.com/event.

South Hadley Grant Updates

Town Administrator Lisa Wong reports that the MA Department of Revenue is granting South Hadley $50,000 in additional funding for the Elmer Brook culvert replacement on Pearl Street. Funding will go towards construction documents, specifications, and Chapter 85 bridge review. The total award is now $197,500. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has reviewed the Town’s letter of intent for an Urban and Community Forestry Challenge grant and has invited South Hadley to submit a full application due November 1, 2023 to create a tree management plan that will supplement the current tree inventory in progress funded by Town Meeting.

KYT Presents: History and Finance of South Hadley’s Fire Districts

Local community organization Know Your Town (KYT) will host an in-person event on the History and Finance of the South Hadley Fire Districts at the South Hadley Library on November 28.

History and Finance of South Hadley’s Fire Districts
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at 6:30 pm
South Hadley Public Library (Community Room)
2 Canal Street, South Hadley

South Hadley Associate Assessor Melissa Couture Rimbold and Kevin Taugher, Chair of the Board of Assessors, will provide an overview of why, when, and how South Hadley’s two Fire Districts, 1 and 2, were formed and how they are financed by property taxes and water rates. Kevin Taugher will give a history of their formation and Melissa Couture Rimbold will discuss how they are financed. 

The event, which is free and open to the public, will not address or entertain questions regarding current operations, budgets, personnel, or boards. For more information about Know Your Town, visit www.knowyourtown.org.

Oct. 20-22: Buttery Brook Park Fall Fest

Buttery Brook Park Fall Fest | Friday, October 20 to Sunday, October 22, 2023
Pickleball, Cornhole, Food Trucks, Beer Tent, and Music!

2023 Fall Fest Flyer (pdf)

Hosted by Pickleball South Hadley and the Friends of Buttery Brook Park, Fall Fest begins on Friday, Oct. 20 with afternoon Men’s Pickleball Tournaments. On Saturday, Oct. 21, Women’s Pickleball Tournaments begin at 9am, and Mixed Divisions start at 3pm, while a Cornhole Tournament begins at 11am. Deejay KStylex will spin the hits from 10:30am until 3pm, followed by a free concert with Band Acousticca from 3pm to 6pm. Food trucks and a beer tent will be open during the afternoon, until 7pm. On Sunday Oct. 22, Fall Fest concludes with morning and early afternoon Pickleball Tournaments for Men and High School/College. See the event flyer for schedule and other details. Come to the pickleball courts to support our competitors and enjoy the games!

Black Stevens Guided Trek on September 23, 2023

Black Stevens Guided Trek
SATURDAY, September 23, 2023 at 10:00am 
Meet at 9:45am in the parking lot at South Hadley High School (near Black Stevens Pond)
153 Newton Street (Rt. 116), South Hadley  
Black Stevens Trail and Trek Map (PDF)
More information about the Black Stevens Conservation Area

Join South Hadley’s Bike/Walk Committee for a free, guided Trek at nearby Black Stevens Conservation area, which is a large wooded area that sits between South Hadley High School (on Newton Street/Rt 116) and Plains Elementary School (on Granby Road/Rt 202). It is a very popular place to walk in South Hadley. The Trek, which will be led by Bike/Walk Committee members Jim Buckley and Pat Tracey, which will be approximately 1.75 miles long and take about an hour. There are some uphill portions to start the trek, which is a loop that begins at the Newton Street trailhead near the high school, travels to the area near Plains School and returns. The trail does have some elevation so the beginning will be uphill, while the return is mostly downhill. There are a number of raised roots along the way, so some care should be taken while walking.

Meet at 9:45am in the South Hadley High School parking lot near Black Stevens Pond and the trailhead on Newton Street (see the Trail Map). Wear long-sleeved shirts/pants due to mosquitoes/ticks, weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear, and bring water, bug spray, and walking poles, if desired. New Trekkers are always welcomed! Attendees should bring water, and are encouraged to have some bug spray. Please note that construction on Route 116 for a culvert project located between the high school and the District 1 fire station may still be in progress. While the road has remained open, it may be preferable to approach from south of the high school.

A decision to cancel for inclement weather will be made by 3:00pm on Friday, September 22. Should cancellation be necessary, information will be posted on the Town website, the Recreation Department site (southhadleyrecreation.org).

For more information about the Bike/Walk Committee, visit: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk