Heat Wave

I hope you are all surviving the sudden summer weather. If you take a breath, it will probably be winter again … or maybe (we can only hope) spring!

 Congratulations to our new moderator, Julie Carantit, for getting us smoothly through last week’s Annual Town Meeting. And thanks to all those who showed up and voted. Now for some news….

Political Trivia Night

Politics may be a serious business, but talking about it can be fun. As part of the Museum on Main Street: More Voices, More Votes programming, all are invited to Political Trivia Night tomorrow, Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m. in the library of Mohawk Trail Regional School on Route 112 in Buckland. This free event is organized by the League of Women Voters and will feature our own State Senator Paul Mark as one of the celebrity judges. Come test your knowledge of the political sphere! Light refreshments (including mocktails) will be served.

Dump Stickers Have Arrived

Dump stickers for the next fiscal year (beginning July 1) have arrived at the Town Office. They are an attractive shade of teal.

The cost will once again be $40 for one and $1 for an additional sticker for the same household. (If you have more than two vehicles, we suggest not affixing one of your stickers but keeping it to rotate between vehicles.)

The cost of punch cards will also remain static at $10 per card (10 bags).

As most of you know, these rates are considerably lower than those charged by the town of Ashfield. I (Tinky) have a list of other costs—for disposing of small appliances, furniture, et cetera. We ask that you pay me these funds either in person or by mail; I can give you a voucher to take to the Transfer Station.

All funds we receive for disposal items, dump stickers, and punch cards help offset the sum Hawley pays annually to Ashfield to dispose of our trash.

By the way, the dump is now known as the Philip F. Nolan III Memorial Transfer Station in honor of the late beloved dump meister Phil Nolan.

Fix-It Day

On Saturday, June 13, Hawleyites are welcome to bring items in need of repair to the first-ever West County Fix-It Day. If you’re like me, your basement, attic, and/or garage have several candidates for this service. (I am thinking particularly lof a lamp that belonged to my grandmother. I can’t get rid of it for sentimental reasons, and I can’t fix it for klutz reasons.)

We are hoping for a good turnout for this event; people across our area have been working on organizing it and finding volunteers.

Those who are unable to come on June 13 may of course attend the county-wide Fix-It Day on Saturday, May 30.

Dates to Remember

As most Americans know, this year marks the semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the official start of the American revolution. If “semiquincentennial” seems like too much of a mouthful, just say “250th anniversary.” We will celebrate this occasion here in Hawley twice. On Saturday, July 4, beginning at 11 a.m., we’ll share food and a few speeches at the Town Office on Pudding Hollow Road. On Sunday, August 9, Hawley Day at the Hawley Meetinghouse will feature a showcase of Hawley creativity and a special concert celebrating American history in words and song … plus of course the usual reunion and lunch. More details will follow, but we want you to keep these dates in mind as the spring and summer busyness get going.

That’s all for this week I hope to see some of you soon.

Warmly,

Tinky Weisblat
Gal Friday
Town of Hawley

413-339-5518