Tree-planting event in Northampton coming up
NORTHAMPTON — As part of a Rotary International focus on protecting the environment, the Northampton Rotary Club is working with the Northampton’s Department of Public Works (DPW), the Urban Forestry Commission, the nonprofit Tree Northampton, and Northampton Public Schools to organize a tree-planting event on Saturday, April 18, at JFK Middle School from 9 a.m. to noon. A rain date will take place on April 19.
The Rotary Day of Service isn’t just for Rotarians. Anyone interested in volunteering to help plant trees is invited to contact Day of Service Chair Barbara Devlin at bdevlinmn@gmail.com .
Volunteers to date include Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, City Council President and Ward 7 Councilor Rachel Maiori, Ward 2 Councilor Debra Klemer, Ward 1 School Committee member Alena Bartoli, At Large School Committee member Robbie Saner Sullivan, and Chief of Police John Cartledge, along with Rotary members and other student, parent, and community volunteers.
Monetary contributions to support the tree planting project may be directed to the Northampton Rotary Foundation, Inc., PO Box 505, Northampton, MA 01061.
To learn more about Rotary in the Northampton area, visit https://northamptonrotaryclub.org/.
Health care roundtable in Belchertown
BELCHERTOWN — The Belchertown Democratic Town Committee will hold a health care roundtable, “Our Healthcare System Is on Life Support: What Can We Do?,” on Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Belchertown Town Hall.
A recent West Health-Gallup Affordability Index indicates that Americans’ ability to afford health care has deteriorated in recent years. In 2026, millions are expected to face higher insurance premiums and rising out-of-pocket costs as the expiration of some Affordable Care Act subsidies and upcoming cuts to Medicaid enrollment threaten coverage.
The roundtable will explore some of the complexities that have created this situation, as well as potential options to bring accessibility to quality health care back to the realm of affordability and reliability. Keynote presenters include Dr. Chris Flory, a retired physician who maintained a private practice in western Massachusetts for over 30 years, and Dr. Michal Horný, a noted UMass Amherst health care economist specializing in affordability.
Belchertown Select Board Chair Lesa Lessard Pearson, who will serve as moderator, said she is pleased to bring together experts alongside Sen. Jake Oliveira to help unpack the pressures facing our health care system, clarify what’s at stake for residents, and identify practical paths toward more affordable, reliable care.
The event is free, and all are invited to attend and participate in a robust Q&A at the end of the program. To learn more, visit www.belchertowndemocrats.org/healthcare-roundtable.
Amherst seeks volunteers for boards
AMHERST — Town Manager Paul Bockelman seeks volunteers to serve on town boards, committees and commissions with vacancies or whose members have terms expiring on June 30. Interested residents are encouraged to submit their applications online by Sunday, May 17. Applications received after that date will be considered for still-vacant positions.
The town has more than 30 boards and committees that play a role in supporting and
advising the town government, with each comprised of several resident members. Terms of
service are typically three years, although some terms may be shorter. Members can serve for up to two consecutive terms, or a total of up to six years.
Members with terms expiring who have served one term may be seeking reappointment. Some multi-member groups may have vacancies available for students enrolled at Amherst Regional High School including the Human Rights Commission and the Community Safety and Social Justice Committee.
Boards, committees and commissions that have current or anticipated vacancies include: Amherst Black Reparations Committee, seven vacancies; Cultural Council, five vacancies; Energy and Climate Action Committee and Historical Commission, four vacancies each; Affordable Housing Trust and Community Safety, Human Rights Commission and Social Justice Committee (CSSJC), three vacancies each; Recreation Commission, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Committee and Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC), two vacancies each; and Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Munson Memorial Building Trustees, Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and Water Supply Protection Committee, one vacancy each.
The Town Council is also currently accepting applications to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and the Planning Board. Since these positions are appointed by the Town Council, interested residents must fill out the Community Activity Form for Town Council Appointed Bodies.
To apply and for more information on all boards and committee may be found on the town’s website.
Free events at Granby Library in April
GRANBY — The Granby Free Public Library, 297 E. State St., will host several events this month, including:
- Nature Time with Ranger Tasha on Tuesday, April 14, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Park Ranger Tasha Daniels will be at the library to teach about Earth Month. Enjoy a story, learn hands-on and make a craft. No sign-up is required.
- Gymnastics Instruction on Wednesday, April 15, at 10:30 a.m. A gymnastics instructor will teach beginner tumbling.
- Musician Eric Roth will lead an interactive, musical morning on Friday, April 17, at 10:30 a.m.
- Talking Hands Puppet Show on Thursday, April 23, at 1:30 p.m. To celebrate Earth Month, Puppeteer Anna Sobel will present a puppet show about animal friends who really want to be superheroes. Sign up is required at 413-467-3320.
- The Eric Carle Museum will lead an art-making class on Wednesday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m.
- Read to a Therapy Dog on Fridays, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. All ages welcome. No reading skills required. Sign-ups preferred.
- CFCE Play Group on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Join Marti for a fun time of playing, crafting, and more.