On Tuesday Aug. 31, the Buckland Select Board had a special meeting that also included a Shelburne Falls Sewer Commission meeting. The first 30 minutes is the Buckland Select Board. They then paused their meeting to convene a Sewer Commission meeting to discuss a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ashfield’s and Charlemont’s Sewer Commissions. This lasted about an hour and after the close of that meeting the Buckland Select Board restarted their meeting.

Since the spring, work has been underway to create a plan that identifies actions to help the Village Center recover more quickly from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the above menu for Town  Government, choose either Buckland or Shelburne to find and view it.

Franklin County Solid Waste District is planning to hold the 2021 household hazardous waste collection on Saturday, September 25th at GCC’s Main Campus and the Orange Transfer Station.

Residents and businesses must pre-register by September 17th. Online pre-registration for the 2021 collection will begin in mid-August, at: www.franklincountywastedistrict.org/hazwasteday.html. Mail-in registration forms will be available in late August at town transfer stations and in local newspapers.

Participants will be assigned an appointment time to bring wastes to the collection; an appointment time and instructions will be provided by mail after registration is processed.

The collection is free for residents of most of the District’s 21 member towns. Businesses may participate but must pay for disposal costs. For business registration information, call (413) 772-2438.

This collection provides an opportunity to dispose of hazardous items that should not be put in the trash, such as leftover oil-based paints, stains, thinners, pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, motor oil, antifreeze, household cleaners, and other household chemicals. A more complete list of acceptable items is at: www.franklincountywastedistrict.org/hazwasteday.html.

Batteries and mercury-containing items such as fluorescent light bulbs, thermometers, and thermostats will not be accepted at this collection. These items, which may contain mercury or heavy metals, should never be put in trash or recycling. Fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), some types of batteries, and mercury items are accepted at municipal transfer stations. Handle carefully and hand to attendant. In addition, fluorescent light bulbs are accepted at Lowe’s Stores (all types of fluorescents), and Home Depot (CFLs only).

As the collection date approaches, please check the District’s website for up-to-date Covid protocols. For more information visit: www.franklincountywastedistrict.org or contact the District at info@franklincountywastedistrict.org, (413) 772-2438.  MA Relay for the hearing impaired: 711 or 1-800-439-2370 (TTY/TDD). The District is an equal opportunity provider.

Due to an equipment malfunction the Tuesday, July 27 Select Board meeting was not recorded, hence it is not available for viewing here on this web site. We also apologize for the poor quality of the live broadcast. We will be hard at work correcting these situations before the August 10 meeting.

Thank you for your patience.