Hybrid Center School School Year Began September 8

The Center School reopens Sept. 8. The local school committee has selected a "hybrid" education model with half the students attending on Monday and Tuesday and the other half on Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays will be for remote learning. Masks will be required for everyone as will hand washing and social distancing. Access to visitors and suppliers will be limited. Cafeteria activities have been adjusted.

Students and staff come to the school from 20 area communities.

About half the school community responded to a July survey from the school and more than 80 percent of respondents cited concerns about Covid 19.

The committee selected the hybrid learning plan from a list of three including fully opening the school and fully remote learning. The hybrid plan is described by the school as follows:

"A hybrid model can provide a safe and effective return to school while focusing on the health and well-being of all students and staff. This model reduces the total student occupancy in the building by roughly one-half each day. This reduction provides the ability to maintain the 6 feet of physical distancing requirements in classrooms as well as the 6-foot physical distancing requirement during breakfast and lunch.

In addition, a hybrid return provides the needed face-to-face instruction and opportunities for social connections. A hybrid model provides consistent opportunity to meet the social-emotional needs of students as well as the provision of support services for special populations. Also, this model has time built into the weekly schedule to provide teachers and staff with needed professional development and planning time as well as time for deep cleaning of the school building between cohorts.

Specifically, the hybrid model provides students with a combination of in-person and remote learning opportunities. Students will be placed in one of two cohorts and will attend school on a rotating schedule each week. All students, however, will receive remote instruction on Wednesdays."

The plan includes a provision that any student showing medical symptoms must be collected and taken home by a parent or guardian within 30 minutes of being notified.

Committee chair Lynn Peredina said, "We chose to start with the hybrid model. Some families have opted to go with a full remote plan, as that was a required option." Principal Eric Glazier did not respond to an e-mail requesting more information but told the local Board of Health September 3 that staff has made efforts to ensure social distancing, created a new nursing office and adjusted approaches to teaching.

The Mahar School Committee voted to start the school year remotely for at least 30 days. Committee Chair Peter Cross said the situation will be reviewed and at that point every 30 days thereafter. The committee had originally opted for a hybrid reopening.

Over the summer, Petersham has reported seven residents with Covid symptoms.

A Snake, a Duckling, Dogs Bark and a Racoon at the Dump

ACO Call Log Summary August 2020

08/01 @9:15a Resident call with concern about raccoons in the dumpster at transfer station. Assured caller staff is aware of how to protect animal until it walks out.

@9:30a One of the Petersham dogs lost on 07/31 located.

@10:15aCall from Barre resident about missing cat near the Petersham line. FB post circulated

@3-7p Assist Petersham resident with flyers and searching for lost dog

@8:15p Resident call with concern regarding snake that is in fireplace in house; homeowner concerned it is a dangerous snake. After discussion, conclusion it is likely a milk snake. Home owner refused assistance as a friend was enroute. Will call if help is needed and suggestions do not work.

@10p Follow up on above and snake has been removed from house.

08/02 @10:30aSecond dog missing since 07/31 located by sighter who saw a flyer.

@2p Caller reports a conversation with a neighbor with several sightings over an hour of a large cat like animal with a long tail. F/U conversation with another neighbor who saw same late night the night before.

08/03 @1p Animal wellness check at location. Advised owner pet must be brought to veterinarian asap, vet to see within 2 hours

08/05 @7p Report of two lost dogs. Advice given, assistance with search (dogs later located)

08/06 @2p Call from resident regarding suspicious acting raccoon. Confirmed dog is UTD on rabies and was near, but not in contact with, raccoon. Property searched and no animal found. Suggestions/advice given to resident. Follow up visits scheduled

08/12 @11:30aPasserby reports deceased cat on side of road. Likely owner contacted. To area to move animal, homeowner will bury.

08/14 @9:30p Dispatch call regarding two loose horses running at large. Likely owner contacted, to area to assist. Animals secured

08/22 @6a Caller reports possibly injured cat. To area, no animal seen

08/24 @7a Resident call for found dog not recognized. To area and dog picked up and brought to shelter. Notifications sent.

@11:30a Owner of above to shelter for pick up

08/26 @6:45a Two horses running loose in field, owner contacted, horses secured

@7:15p Resident call that dog got loose from collar and is not in the area. To property to set up satellite cam and freshen the area with attractive smells. Owner to reapply within an hour and set and area on porch with bedding.

@9:40p Dog from above in yard and safe

08/27 @11aResident call with medical question, suggested the animal be seen at emergency facility

@6:45pDispatch call for dog running at large on busy road. To area, owner aware, suggestions given, dog returned to area at 7:15p

@8p Message received about loose dog

08/28 @8p Barking dog complaint

08/29 @11:15aReport of dog running at large. To area, no dog found. Spoke with likely owner of dog

@7:45p Barking dog complaint

Dump Stickers Expiring September 30

Selectmen voted Aug. 25 to continue selling dump stickers for the traditional price of two stickers for $25 when the current red stickers expire at the end of September. The new stickers will be brown.

Asked why a household that only has one vehicle should have to purchase two stickers, board chair Nancy Allen cited several reasons including that a single sticker might be lost or damaged or that a vehicle might be replaced during the year. If a resident pays $25 and only takes a single sticker for $25, they would be able to get a replacement at the town offices, she said.

The new stickers will be available soon at several locations, including the transfer station, because town office access is restricted due to Covid.

In other business, Ann Lewis, chair of the new Nichewaug committee, updated the board on plans for a town-wide opinion survey intended to see what residents want the town to do with the property it has owned for more than a decade. A draft of the survey has been sent to town boards for review. Mailing to homes is planned for mid-September.

Ellen Anderson, newly elected chairman of Assessors, said the document needs to be  "tweaked" to clearly point out that plans will be constrained by water and septic issues. She also suggested an updated appraisal to determine the value of the site and buildings.

Board members signed a 5-year borrowing agreement for the purchase of a new fire truck at $180,000. The Ford 550 will be able to pump 1,250 gallons of water a minute but will only carry 350 gallons to a fire Dana Robinson, Treasurer and Fire Chief, said. The interest on the loan will be 2.5 percent.

U of the Wild Offers Fall Programming

The University of the Wild is offering a series of programs and services for the fall season.

The outdoor programs are a good fit for this year of Corona virus spread concerns in indoor classrooms. Program content draws on the best of sustainable and regenerative Earth-based educational research and practice and the wisdom teachings and practices of local indigenous tribes.

The following programs will be offered throughout the fall. “Sense of Place” Reading the Natural and Cultural Landscape, Larry Buell; Creating Stone & Wall Structures, Local Stone Masons; Ancient Wilderness Living Skills, Anthony Brogno; Introduction to Forest Bathing, Mishka Viscardi; The 24-Hour Experience Outdoor Adventure, Larry Buell & Others; Volunteer Work Project on Gaia’s Meadow; Earth Writer’s Retreat with Local Writers.

A highlight of the fall programs with be a series of on-line podcasts central to the present state of the world, including: *Creating Community in an Age of Climate Disruption; *Indigenous Wisdom & Teachings; *Social Justice and the Earth Activism; *Fall Edible Wild Plants; *Creating Alternative Septic Systems; *Alternative College, Credits, and Credibility; and *Personal and Planetary Lifestyles at a time of Climate Disruption and Cultural Fragementation. In addition to “hands-on” programs, the University of the Wild works in collaboration with a number of organizations and partners, including the local indigenous Nipmuk Cultural Preservation, Inc. (NCP) of Oakham, MA which has recently been returned over twenty (20) acres of original Nipmuc lands within the Quabbin/Nichewaug Bioregion to build a Native American Cultural and Education Center in Petersham.

The Earthlands Program Center founded by Larry Buell in 1993 has re-established it’s North Quabbin Organic farm and provides good quality local food to residents, local farmer’s markets, and restaurants in the greater Boston area. The farm will provide its produce at a self-service roadside stand at Quabbin Woods Restaurant on Rts. 32/122.

Dr. Larry Buell, is the founder of outdoor-based programs like the forty-year old Outdoor Leadership Program at Greenfield Community College; the twenty-seven-year old Earthlands Community and Environmental Center; and author of books on Outdoor Leadership, Human Ecology, and the 24-Hour Outdoor Adventure.. For Information and Registration visit www.universityofthewild.org Contact Dr. Larry Buell at <larry@uofwild.org (978) 724-0412 (O) (978) 855-1420 (Cell/Text) 

Petersham Gets Woodbank Equipment Grant

A $2,000 grant from the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation’s Urban and Community Forestry Program will support new equipment for the Petersham Wood Bank, a volunteer firewood heating assistance program in its sixth year of service to Petersham residents.

In 2019-2020, the Wood Bank distributed 15 cords of wood to Petersham residents. Petersham households may apply for winter 2020-2021 vouchers once a month, or as dry wood is available, at the Town Office starting in October. Wood allotments are picked up at the transfer station.

“The Petersham Wood Bank is a team effort and incredible success story, made possible by dedicated volunteers and tremendous support from both the town and the Mass. DCR,” says Jordan O’Connor, who wrote the new grant and co-manages the Petersham Wood Bank as a member of the Petersham Forest and Shade Tree Committee, with Tree Warden Melissa LeVangie.

The wood arrives via the Petersham Highway Department as downed roadside trees brought to the transfer station, where an area has been cleared for logs, equipment, and 39 firewood storage crates that were donated by Mass DCR and built by volunteers. Funds from Mass. DCR, overseen by Sean Mahoney, DCR Markets and Utilization Forestry Program Director and an original co-founder of the Petersham Wood Bank, have recently increased the capacity of wood banks across the state by supporting time for a professional sawyer to saw up logs into smaller rounds that can be safely split and stacked by volunteers.

The new grant will allow for the purchase of a log splitter, storage boxes, equipment for moving wood, and volunteer safety gear—key additions to equipment that has been historically loaned or donated by the Town, the Mass. DCR, and the Harvard Forest. This additional equipment will allow the Petersham Community Wood Bank to expand its capacity and reach more residents in need of firewood assistance.

The challenge grant requires a match of donations or in-kind services of equal value. This will be covered by documented volunteer hours over the coming year. Regular volunteers have included town residents and UMass students. 

“Our Wood Bank succeeds because of our dedicated volunteers,” O’Connor said. “New volunteers are always welcome.” Stacking wood into covered crates can be accomplished safely with social distancing. Stacking takes place each Saturday at the Petersham Transfer Station starting at 9:00 am.  Those interested in volunteering should contact O’Connor at joconnor@JOAarchitects.com

 Cell Tower Court Suit Settled With Developer

The town and Tower North Development have agreed to settle a federal court  lawsuit over the Zoning Board's refusal to raise the allowed height of a planned cell tower at  Chimney Hill Farm. The company had permission to erect a 90-foot cell tower but was seeking to build a taller 160-foot tower for improved cell service. The zoning board refused and the company took the matter to court.

After several weeks of bargaining, the parties have agreed on a 135-foot tall tower disguised as a pine tree. Two major phone carriers and the State Police radio system will take space on the tower. Construction is set to begin in the fall after court approval. Chair Nancy Allen declined to specify town legal fees associated with the case

The Selectboard agreed to declare the handicap ramp in front of town hall to be surplus property. The ramp is not needed since an elevator system has been installed that provides access  to both upper and lower halls and entry from the exterior. The town is seeking bids from anyone who wants the existing ramp.

The $15,000 ramp was donated by Stephanie Selden of Phillips Drive as a temporary access solution and is being offered for resale on www.munibid.com  at a starting bid of $300.

Removal is planned for August along with repaving the area outside the building and adding two handicap parking spaces. The elevator system was installed on time and under budget by Stephen Kieras of Clearview Contracting in town. It was paid for with a $140,000 grant from the Massachusetts Office on Disability.

Selectboard and Board of Health members voted to appoint Rebecca Jackson MD of 230 West Road to replace Robert Pasic, member for a dozen years, who resigned for personal reasons.

A Bear on the Deck and Turtles in the Road

ACO Call Log Summary June 2020

06/02 @3p Caller reports possibly injured turtle near Highway Barn. Snapping turtle safely moved to pond area
          @4p North Quabbin AC requests assistance trapping loose dog. To area and equipment set up

06/03 @4p Resident call to report a bear on his deck; requested advice about what to do

06/04 @4p Resident call regarding loose dog in yard. Dog picked up and brought to shelter.
         @6p Owner of above dog located.

06/09 @8a Phone conversation with emergency veterinary facility regarding cat seen with a wound of unknown origin. (Note: Documentation not received from facility until 06/22) State paperwork completed

@3:30p Report of loose horse, no owner appears at home. To area and horse returned to pasture area, owner contacted

06/11 @6:15p Resident call regarding loose dog that is not recognized and will not come near anyone. To area, known owner, dog returned to owner

           @6:45p Large snapping turtle in road with motorist diverting vehicles. Turtle has old injury deemed to be not of concern. Turtle moved to side of road

06/16 @1p Assist resident with re-homing kittens.
@5p Caller from earlier in the month states bear is on his deck. Advice given, info forwarded along to MA Wildlife with location

06/20 am Calls with livestock owner regarding a grazing animal killed and another seriously injured in field setting. Owner to forward additional information

                      pm Assist with re-homing out of town, in need dog with a family in Petersham

06/21 @4p Resident call regarding dog kennel regulations/requirements

06/22 pm Two calls for moose sightings

06/24 @7:30p PPD contact for loose dog. To area, dog secured, owner came to area

06/26 @11a PPD contact regarding call received for resident concern about raccoon in yard. To the home and spoke with owner

The July 4 Parade That Never Happened

Bill Berry raised the flag.                             Motorcycles gathered around the common.

Town Meeting Part One - a $3.8 Million Hour

It is official. A town meeting was held June 29 with just a few more than 44 voters present under reduced quorum rules. Nine chose outdoor seating for the one-hour session.

Moderator Bart Wendell said he hoped the meeting would be the quickest on record as the warrant contained mainly items needed to keep town operations operating and paid for until state reimbursements for the year are determined.

Non-controversial items 2 through 18 in a "consent" section of the warrant were dispatched as a group. The Ralph C. Mahar Regional School budget of $792,500 10.5 percent less than a year earlier) passed without debate as did the Center School budget of $2,033,110 (a 2.4 percent hike). Monty Tech's budget jumped to $39,037 as enrollment has increased.

Finance Committee Chair Rich Cavanaugh said the town is about a quarter million dollars below what it could raise before hitting its Prop 2 1/2 tax limits, "...but that could change" as state reimbursement levels are announced. The state, which provides nearly one quarter of town funds via reimbursements, is suffering a massive revenue shortfall because of Covid business shutdowns and layoffs.

In a Special Session before the main meeting, voters agreed to cover a $70,000 overrun of the broadband system project and an $11,354 deficit in the snow and ice removal account. Other  items will be voted at a fall Special Town Meeting.

Covid Updates from the State Dept. of Public Health

Link to town by town data


Mass Public Health Covid Info and Updates