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Proposed Solar Farm

Nichewaug Video Tour 1993
Fall at the Petersham Art Center

 Sunday, Oct 27th 9AM-3PM. HOLIDAY QUILTED RUNNER - Diana Cooley, Sun, Oct 27, 9-3PM. Choose which holiday you'd like to celebrate and create a quilted table runner. Bring your own sewing machine and materials. A list of what you will need is available by calling PAC. $25 member/$45 non-member.hursday,

Nov 7th 6:30PM-9PM ADULT COLORED PENCIL DRAWING CLASS - Mathilde Duffy. Ms Duffy is an award-winning artist who will teach students the skills of drawing beautiful creations with colored pencil techniques. Cost: 12.50 members/ $32.50 nonmember

Thursday, Nov 14th 6:30-9PM CHILDREN’S COLORED PENCIL DRAWING CLASS – Mathilde Duffy. Learn fun skills and techniques from an award winning artist to make beautiful colored pencilwell domes drawings. Cost: $10 members/ $30 nonmembers

Saturday, Nov 16th 10AM-12Noon PAPER CLAY ORNAMENTS – Marcia Berkall
During this fun class you will learn how to use paper clay to make cookie cutter and free form ornaments. The clay takes 2-3 days to dry, so the artist will demonstrate how it's done and so that you can paint them at home. Cost: $10 members/$30 nonmembers

Saturday, November 16th 1PM-3PM PAINT YOUR PET HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS – Jen Niles Paint your pets on whimsical wooden ornament shapes. It’s a great gift idea! Mini 4”x4” canvas boards also available for those who prefer a painting vs. an ornament.
Cost: Member $10 / Non-mem. $30 Materials Fee: $5

Petersham Jams Are on Tap

Future Jams! are planned for Saturday, November 16 and Saturday, December 14, so please mark your calendars.

Ping Pong in Petersham Redux

Petersham now has two new ping pong tables (plus paddles and balls) for community use. The playing venue will be the main floor of the Town Hall. witty funeral home

Use of the tables will be at designated times on a set day with a monitor present. The next ping pong session is set for 
Monday, September 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 
upstairs in Town Hall.
 Please come by for a few games and invite a friend and neighbor. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Wood Bank Volunteer Days

 Fall is fast approaching and the Wood Bank can use your help. Sean and Bill have been busy cutting and splitting. We have lots of empty crates to fill and need your need your help splitting and especially mann lumberstacking. The goal is to get all the crates filled before the snow flies and possibly get a start on next year’s wood. Also, thanks to the efforts by the Petersham Highway Dept. we now have a safer space to work.

UU Church Schedule Ahead
All services at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary unless otherwise noted.
October 20 - Inanna Arthen
October 27 - Pledge Sunday Brunch - in the Dining Room
November 3 - Rini Kilcoynesolar installations
November 10 - Veterans' Day - Rev. Inanna Arthen
November 17 - Bonnie MacCracken - Chairman of the State Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
November 24 - Interfaith Thanksgiving - Rev. Inanna Arthen
December 1 - Hattie Nestel "Reconsidering Siddur"
December 8 - Rev. Inanna Arthen
December 15 - Rini Kilcoyne
December 22 - Winter Solstice - Seasonal Celebration - share your winter traditions
December 24 at 7 p.m. - Christmas Eve - Rev. Inanna Arthen
December 29 - Fellowship Discussion "Personal dreams, successes and frustrations in our efforts to make a difference in the world individually"

Just for the Fun of It... click here
services

Dump Stickers Available

Resident stickers for the transfer station are available at the Selectboard office. The cost is $25.00 cash or check made out to Town of Petersham for 2 stickers only. The new stickers are red.

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Send it here: info@petershamcommon,com

Petershamcommon.com has been putting local Petersham news and information online since 1996. This website averages 10,000 page views each month - more than any stone harvest farm other source of local Petersham news. It is a good place to spread the word about community events so all can see. There is an Opinion Page open for  thoughts and comments from everyone -- just like Letters to the Editor in aearthlands newspaper.

 

 

 

This website is NOT an official outlet for town government. It presents fact-based asdf reporting about town government and news about local events. The site is updated nearly every day, so please put us on your list when sending out your news. Simple text e-mails listing who, what, when, where and why do nicely - no PDFs and no posters please. Send it here: info@petershamcommon,com

Get Some Free Stuff
You Can't Beat These Prices
 At the Dump

Transfer Station (DUMP) Fees

 Calendar of Town Committee Meetings


what's open

Free Property Valuation Booklet

The Valuation and Taxes of the Town of Petersham for the Year 2016 booklet is available at the Petersham Town Offices at the Board of Assessors Office, the Selectboard Office and the Petersham Memorial Library during regular business hours. Interested Petersham taxpayers are invited to pick up a free copy.

  
 February Selectboard Office Hours

 Monday 8  a.m. – 4  p.m.
Tuesday 8  a.m. – 4  p.m.
Wednesday, Thursday
8  a.m. – 4  p.m.
Friday Closed


Sen. Anne Gobi
617-722-1540
August 28
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. – Petersham Town Offices

Rep. Susannah Whipps
978-895-9606

 our hisory

Official Town Website -
www.townofpetersham.org

Committee meeting notices are posted at  www.mytowngovernment.org

Colorful Fish

If only the river were this blue...
Photos from Petersham, Surrey, England

and A Place to Stay the Night

 

eddies wheels

 

Harvard Forest - Fisher Museum

"Great Plates, Eat Out."

 
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Scarecrows Are Coming to Petersham

Scarecrows will hover in front of the library and on the lawn of the Unitarian Church from October. 27 through November 3. Awards will be given for the funniest, scariest, most original, greenest, etc., with one grand prize winner.quabbin retreat

Set up will take place on Saturday, October 26 from 9-11 with winners announced on Sunday, October 27 at noon. Stakes will be provided or bring your own set up. The contest is open to Petersham residents, students, town committees and departments (fire, police, selectboard, etc.)

Creativity and fun for all! Questions? Email: petershamculturalcouncil@gmail.com Sponsored by the Petersham Cultural Council and Mass Cultural Council.

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Wood Bank Will Get a Yard Truck. Seeks Volunteers

 The Selectboard voted Sept. 24 to provide a yard truck for the wood bank at the transfer station. The former fire department Dodge pickup will be refurbished by the highway department and will be used off road at the transfer station to move wood to storage bins after it is cut and split.    

Jordan O'Connor from the Forest and Shade Tree Committee said wood vouchers for residents will be available from the Selectmen's office starting October 15 and pickup will begin Nov 2.tune up O'Connor said the town's first in the state wood bank needs volunteers to cut split and stack wood. He said the fall schedule is October 12; October 26; November 16 and December 7 – snow dependent

Vouchers for the Town of Petersham Community Wood Bank will be available to Petersham residents starting on Friday, October 4, 2019. The vouchers may be obtained at the Town Offices, 3 South Main Street in the Selectboard’s office (open Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). The vouchers will be made available on a first come, first served basis but with priority given to residents receiving fuel assistance. Vouchers will be issued for one (1) crate of dry, split & stacked wood stored at the Transfer Station (open every Saturday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm). One voucher per household may be applied on a monthly basis if needed and as supplies last.

The moisture content of the wood is monitored to ensure that only suitably dry wood is safe for release. Each numbered crate of wood will be tagged with colored flagging tape: green = good to go, red = still too wet. To confirm that your crate of wood is ready please either check at the Transfer Station yourself or contact: Sherry Berube- Petersham Administrative Coordinator 978-724-3353 Email: petershambosoffice@gmail.comjeromy

Wood may be picked up at the Transfer Station (route 122) beginning on Saturday, November 2, 2019. Simply bring your voucher and give it to the Transfer Station attendant. Each voucher will have a number that corresponds to a numbered crate. Please remove your wood within a three week time period after voucher issuance. For more information contact Jordan O’Connor joconnor@JOAarchitects.com.

Please consider joining the next Wood Bank volunteer day. To be added to our email volunteer list please email Jordan
The Wood Bank needs your help. The Fall season is here & vouchers are being issued. Sean and Bill have been busy cutting and splitting. We still have nine (9) empty crates to fill and we need your need your help in splitting and especially stacking. The goal is to get all the crates filled before the snow flies for proper drying and possibly get a start on next year’s wood. Also, thanks to the efforts by the Petersham Highway Dept. we now have a safer space to work.

Fall 2019 schedule:
October 12
October 26
November 16
December 7 – snow dependent

Time: 8:30am - 12:00 noon Come for an hour or two, many hands make light work. Location: Petersham Transfer Station (off Route 122)
Volunteers: all ages welcome; please dress appropriately, bring water and food if you need it. Also please bring work clothes and a wheelbarrow if you have them.

40 Seek Updates on Broadband Progress

 About 40 residents attended a meeting at town hall on Sept. 21 seeking updates and information about the town's broadband project.

Chris Lynch of Matrix Design, the town's system developer and Chip Bull, chairman of the broadband committee said National Grid has completed its part of utility pole inspections and upgrades and issued licenses for the work but the town is waiting for Verizon to do the same. Lynch said once permits are in hand, it will take Matrix about 2 1/2 months rices roots farmin good weather to install fiber optic cables and follow on with residential installations. "We don't have to wait for all the work to be done. We can hook up homes as we go," Lynch said.

Bull said Verizon is overdue on its pole work and behind  on issuing licenses. "We hope to get (the needed) permits fairly quickly. It is entirely  up to Verizon to get all of their work done. We are working behind the scenes and we think we have it under control," Bull said.

Lynch answered questions from residents on services that can be added once high speed internet is available and about underground conduits for the service. godin

He said residents will see a mailing in a week or so asking how many customers might want voice over internet to replace their Verizon telephone service.


Bunnies, Dogs and a Woodchuck, But No Bears Last Month
8/2   @ 11:30a Report of loose dog on West Road, PPD saw dog on routine patrol and returned to owner

8/3   @5:15p Several domestic rabbits seen near cemetery on East Street, contact with residents in area revealed no owner. One resident thought they may have released in the cemetery the night before.hardwick coop
8/4  @7a Attempt to move rabbits from above to fenced area
       @11a Traps set for rabbits
       @1:00p Report of 5 goats and 1 llama missing from pasture, to area to help owner
      @2:30p Call from Heywood Hospital regarding dog bite situation, dog placed on quarantine and requirements explained to owner
      @4:15p Resident contact to report unusual looking cat seen walking on West St
      @5:15p Dispatch call regarding passerby who found 2 dogs and is waiting at PPD for advice; dogs reunited with owner

8/5  @11:15a Resident report of small dog running on 101, unable to secure, gone upon arrival
       @8:30p Report of woodchuck acting aggressively toward people

8/6   @9:30a Follow up on above

8/7    @3p Resident from out of town stopped in with 2 Chihuahua like dogs found in Hubbardston (no local authority able to assist), contact made with appropriate animal control

8/11   @9p Acting as a good Sam, resident call to report a found large white rabbit on east side of town, able to secure, PAWS alert sentoriginal tire

8/12    Set up for care of above rabbit at home of good Sam

8/15   @2:30p Resident call regarding wood chuck that has established a burrow along foundation, advice given

8/16   @8a-12:30p Two round trip excursions to Worcester Animal Rescue League with dogs in kennel for anticipated re-homing
         @1:30p Dog in town off quarantine after home visit, paperwork to owner and MDAR
         @2:30p Finder of above New Zealand white rabbit to adopt animal, discussed plan
8/17   @9a Raccoon in dumpster at transfer station, ladder placed, sign placed

8/17   @1:30p Resident call regarding neighbor cat in tree; suggestions given, owner to follow up

8/18   @1p Resident call to report an owl strike to car in the early morning hours, owl appears to be unable to fly, informed resident to not disturb at this time, call placed to wildlife rehab at Tufts. Spoke with homeowner re: options, suggested we observe for a few hours as owl did fly to a low branch. Improvement noted at 5:30p and owl flew off at 8:30p
         @2p Former Petersham resident call regarding dog issue, suggestions given, situation resolved at 4:30p
         @7:15p Follow up on cat in tree, tree climber called

8/19   @12:15p Dog released from quarantine, paperwork to owner and MDAR
@3p Cat successfully rescued from tree

8/22   @1:30p Resident complaint about dog waste in road
         @2:30p Issue addressed

8/24   @7:30p Resident call regarding juvenile hawk that flew down chimney, hawk removed through chimney clean and place in humane trap, appropriate food left and trap placed in secure locationalthea bramhall
         @9p Resident call regarding issue with goat, owner of animal on vacation, suggestions given

8/25   @1p Dispatch call to report PPD officer picked up and dog and returned to owner, wanted it recorded
         @3p Hawk in light and appears to be doing well

8/26   @9a Resident call seeking suggestions for animals believed to be in chimneyOVERLOOK

8/30   @9:30a Call from local veterinary office regarding found dog traced to a Petersham AC rabies tag, assistance given to CT resident

8/31   @10a Dispatch call re: lost dog, dog reunited with owner at 10:30a
         @8p Resident call regarding lost cat, PAWS alert and FB flyer posted


Council on Aging Information Program Sept. 30
Diane Coburn from Athol Hospital will present an informational session on the Lifeline program at 12:30 p.m. September 30 at the senior lunch in the lower town hall. Lifeline is a personal emergency response system that calls for help when you can't get to the phone. It allows you to move freely around your home and never be more than an arm's length away from assistance. (http:www.lifelinesys.com/)

The Lifeline program is one step in helping our elders live an independent and healthy life. Lifeline is a practical tool for individuals or couples who wish to live independently in their own homes and for physically disabled persons who spend a portion of the day alone.atholhospital

Whenever you need help, you simply press your Personal Help Button, a waterproof transmitter you wear around your neck or on your wrist. This sends a signal to your Lifeline Communicator (hooked up to your phone), which automatically calls a 24-hour Response Center. Within seconds, highly trained personnel will speak with you. If they can't reach you, help is sent.

The North Quabbin area Lifeline Program is co-sponsored by Athol Hospital and the Athol-Orange Rotary Club. Date: September 30, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. The program is FREE and open to the public. Registration is not required. Seniors and their families are invited to attend. Place: lower level of the Petersham Town Hall. This program will follow the weekly COA luncheon.
You do not have to attend the luncheon to attend. For Questions contact Sandy Page: 978-724-3273..
Nichewaug Liability Insurance May Be Cancelled

 Selectboard members August 27 discussed what do do if  the liability insurance policy on the Nichewaug Property is cancelled by the insurer. After an inspection, the carrier let the town know that the roof of the complex is in bad shape and there is water in the auditorium and furnace room. The policy does not cover the property but only covers damages if someone enters the buildings and is injured while inside. Board members said both conditions existed when the policy was put in place about three years ago.berube real estate

Selectman Henry Woolsey said now that contractors have finished removing asbestos from the property, hardly anyone needs to go inside. He took a "wait and see" stance saying, "There has always been water in the auditorium" since the town took ownership of the complex a decade ago. That is because the town does not supply electricity to run a system of sump pumps that kept the space dry for decades. Woolsey said the pumping system may be inoperable. Selectboard member Nancy Allen does not participate in Nichewaug discussions as she is an immediate abutter.

Selectman Rik Marsh said he will reach out to roofing contractors who could assess the condition of roofs on the complex and see what it might cost to make repairs. Members of a small audience at the meeting said there are still residents working to present a proposal for re-using the property. A similar group, favoring demolition, has declined to attend more meetings intended to craft a compromise between re-use and demolition.

 Petersham Friday Market Opened June 7 for 20 Fridays
The Petersham Friday Market returned to the town common from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 7 featuring local produce, meat and eggs, craft items and healthcare information.

Coming Up: Party of Two Oct 11
 
More than a dozen local vendors offer organic and other produce from local farms and within the Pioneer Valley. Offerings include started plants of many kinds, locally raised meat, chickens, local eggs, baked goods, home-baked dog cookies, local honey, handmade soaps and other craft items. Friday Market vendors vary weekly and include Petersham's  Sweetwater Farm (organic produce, meat), The Little Chicken Factory (mobile chicken coops), Bob Hayward's local garlic, Pick and Shovel Farm (plants and produce), Kiwi Meadows Farm (organic produce), Rick Wilkey (Valley produce) and other local growers. Dry Brook Garden offers tubers and cut flowers. Starfire Bakery and Sweet Cottage Farm bring baked goods.   Elzire’s Acre brings goat milk soap. Other vendors offer greeting cards and wood carvings. Mindful Garden farm also provides organic vegetables.

The market is open without charge to both regular and occasional vendors and to information booths staffed by health care agencies and social services who share information about their programs. The market relies on donations and grants to cover expenses.

Petersham Friday Market music is offered with support from town meeting voters, Heywoodrobinson lumber Healthcare, the Wild Geese Foundation, Petersham Cultural Council, Petersham Grange 95 and from local donors. The town common is handicap accessible.

For information, contact Roy Nilson (978-724-6662) or by e-mail:
fridaymarket@petershamcommon.com or visit www.petershamcommon.com.

 

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