HADLEY A former member of the town’s Select Board is alleging the current board violated the state’s Open Meeting Law when it adopted a new policy related to COVID-19 vaccinations and access to municipal buildings.The complaint, filed by John Allen.
Hadley Select Board creates new vaccine policy
Hadley Select Board Chairman David J. Fill II GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Hadley Town Hall GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 5/13/2021 4:41:19 PM
HADLEY Worry that residents and employees who don’t get a COVID-19 vaccine, or other similar vaccinations, will not be allowed inside municipal buildings or onto town-owned spaces prompted the Select Board to create a policy to safeguard public access.
In a 4-1 vote Wednesday, with board member Jane Nevinsmith dissenting, the new vaccine policy states that “the public shall not be denied access to town buildings, facilities, property, or events based upon vaccine status unless otherwise required by law.”
Budget set for Town Meeting voters in Hadley
Hadley Town Hall GAZETTE STAFF
Published: 5/11/2021 11:05:22 AM
HADLEY An $18.06 million municipal operating budget that would raise property taxes by about $150 a year for the typical homeowner will be brought to annual Town Meeting later this month.
A year after town officials developed a budget in the midst of the pandemic that kept property taxes flat, the Select Board at its May 5 meeting voted 3-2 to endorse a fiscal year 2022 spending plan for the May 22 annual Town Meeting that is about $300,000 less than an $18.3 million proposal from Town Administrator Carolyn Brennan.
The budget is $386,084, or 2.2% higher, than this year’s $17.67 million budget and preserves level services for the town and schools, and meets contracted salary adjustments. The budget removes $260,305 from the Other Post Employment Benefits line, leaving that spending at the same $16,890 level as in this year’s budget, and also increases Finan
Prospective buyer files lawsuit over sale of North Hadley Village Hall
North Hadley Village Hall GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 4/26/2021 7:22:34 PM
HADLEY A resident is seeking a preliminary injunction in Hampshire Superior Court to prevent the Select Board from accepting new bids to buy the North Hadley Village Hall, alleging the board breached a contract with him for acquiring and renovating the property.
On Monday, Ryan O’Hara, an attorney with Bacon Wilson, PC of Northampton, filed the legal action for Peter Heronemus, of Mount Warner Road, against the Select Board.
“Heronemus remains ready, willing and able to close on the transaction as required by and set forth within the agreement,” the lawsuit states.
David Fill to remain Hadley’s Select Board chairman
David J. Fill II GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY Breaking a recent tradition of having Select Board chairpersons serve one year in the role, David J. Fill II will remain as the board’s chairman.
Despite an appeal from board member Jane Nevinsmith to assume the leadership position, the board voted 4-1, with Nevinsmith casting the dissenting vote, to keep Fill as chairman, following a nomination by Joyce Chunglo, the board’s longest-serving member.
“He just got his feet wet and I think one more year, and then I would like to offer it to Jane for next year,” Chunglo said.