EASTHAMPTON — The city this week donated $4,000 to the Easthampton Community Center (ECC) to help with food insecurity following the freeze to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the federal government shutdown.
Mayor Salem Derby and Police Chief Chad Alexander delivered a contract to ECC Executive Director Robin Bialecki on Monday, that the ECC can use to purchase food. The money is split, with $2,000 coming from the city and the other $2,000 matched from several police associations.
Derby said he had been looking for different ways to allocate funding from the city during the freeze to SNAP benefits, which affected many Easthampton residents. After exploring different options with the city auditor, he found that there were available funds in an account that gathers interest on the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
There is still money available in the account after the donation, which has been accruing interest from the ARPA funds since April. Derby said the money in the fund only comes from the interest account and not the ARPA funds themselves, which are already earmarked.
The contract will run until the end of November and Derby hopes the money will help the ECC gather and gift dozens of meals during the holiday season.
“This sets a precedent that we can find creative ways to materially support our organizations in Easthampton,” Derby said, adding that he hopes this shows that the city will find ways to support those in need.
Westhampton snags $168K for culvert work
WESTHAMPTON — The town received $168,000 in state grant funding to repair a massive culvert that connects to Pine Island Lake.
The funding will allow the town to complete a relining of a 60-inch diameter culvert that runs 150-feet under Reservoir Road, near the west end of the lake.
“The culvert is oversized, there’s no risk of serious problems and damage, and it is something that has been on our plan,” said Town Coordinator Doug Finn.
The culvert allows for water to pass through the Pine Island Lake Dam, which connects to run-offs from the Manhan River. Finn said the repair is less costly than a full culvert repair.
“In simplest terms resleeving is taking a tube and sliding it inside another tube,” Finn said.
While the culvert is not at immediate risk, it is showing early signs of failure. Finn said a liquid slurry will be installed between the newly sleeved culvert and the other, that provides reinforcement and will extend its life expectancy substantially.
Pine Island Lake is privately owned by many surrounding houses and properties, and is used for different recreational activities.
The MassWorks Infrastructure grant comes from the state Executive Office of Economic Development. The grant, part of the Rural Development Fund, is a competitive grant program created to provide financial support projects related to economic and community development in rural communities. Specifically, towns with a population density of 500 persons every square-mile or a total population of less than 7,000.
Southampton to hold hearing on tax levy
SOUTHAMPTON — The Select Board will hold a public hearing welcoming comments on changes to the percentages of the total tax levy for next fiscal year.
The hearing will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 6 p.m. at the Southampton Town Hall located at 210 College Highway. All interested parties are invited to attend and will be heard during the hearing.
The tax rates will be discussed for different property classes — residential, open space, commercial and industrial — and personal property for fiscal year 2026.