CUMMINGTON — When William Bissell took over as police chief in April, hiring a full-time officer was on his agenda. Now, there’s an opening.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. citizen, and hold a valid driver’s license and high school diploma or GED. Candidates should have strong communication skills, current CPR/first responder certification, and either Bridge certification through the Massachusetts Municipal Training Committee or completion of full-time recruit officer training in Massachusetts.
Applicants must also be in good standing with the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. The selected candidate must maintain permanent residency at the time of appointment in a town within 15 miles of Cummington and be available to work weekends and holidays. The position will remain open until filled.
Before Bissell took the helm, interim Chief Brian Cioffi recommended that a full-time patrolman be hired after extensive shortcomings were discovered in the department under former Chief Michael Perkins.
19th-century medical practices in Plainfield
PLAINFIELD — The Plainfield Historical Society will hold its annual meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. at the historic Shaw-Hudson House, 286 Main St., Plainfield.
Following a brief business meeting, retired family physician Dr. Robert Miller will present “Medical Practice in 19th-Century Plainfield.”
Miller, who has more than 45 years of experience in medicine, has spent the past several years working with members of the Plainfield Historical Society to research the archives of Dr. Samuel Shaw (1790-1870), whose medical office remains preserved at the Shaw-Hudson House.
Drawing from Shaw’s patient records, account books and other historical documents, Miller will discuss the lives of the Shaw family, illnesses and treatments common in rural western Massachusetts, and the challenges of practicing medicine in the 1800s.
His research has uncovered stories that provide new insight into the history of healthcare in the community.
Following the presentation, visitors will be invited to tour Shaw’s original medical office, where many of the artifacts and records discussed during the talk are preserved. The program is free and open to the public.
Don’t have a house sign in Worthington?
WORTHINGTON — Worthington Fire & Rescue is offering to install driveway number markers for residents who do not already have one.
The small signs help emergency responders positively identify the correct driveway and address when responding to emergency calls. To reserve a sign by Aug. 7, call 413-238-1557.
This week’s municipal meetings
Several town boards and committees across the Hilltowns will take up a range of issues next week.
On Monday, Worthington will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 160 Huntington Road, to take public comment on a proposal to remove trees along Lindsay Hill Road. The work is needed to improve drainage and facilitate year-round road maintenance. Trees proposed for removal are marked with white paint and include various species ranging from 2 to 28 inches in diameter.
In Williamsburg, the Haydenville Congregational Church bell will again be a subject of discussion during the Select Board’s meeting Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. Last month, a request was made by a new resident to silence the bell from the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. since his family was having difficulty sleeping.
In Chesterfield, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a special permit application for a cell tower at 52 Bofat Hill Road submitted by SBA on behalf of Verizon. The board will meet at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Town Offices, 422 Main Road.
The board will also discuss the town’s master plan with Natasha Kypfer of NorthStar, who will provide an update on June 30 public engagement results, draft chapter development and a timeline for Planning Board input ahead of an October public engagement meeting.
In Goshen, all town business will take place on Monday.
The Goshen Conservation Commission will meet at 6 p.m., and the Planning Board will meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at the John James Memorial Town Hall, 42 Main St. The Board of Health will meet at 6:15 p.m. Aug. 3 at Town Hall in the second-floor dining room. Agendas were not published at printing time.
