SOUTHAMPTON — A medical office has been approved for land off College Highway, though no medical provider has been chosen to occupy the building.
The proposal for the development at 38 College Highway cleared its final permitting hurdle at the Planning Board’s Oct. 7 meeting.
Mike Kent of KBIP, the applicant and owner of the land, told the Gazette in an email that he intends to seek a specific medical provider for the property now that the project has been approved.
“We’re pleased to have received the site plan and special permit approvals for 38 College Highway. Our goal is to bring new businesses and convenient access to medical services to Southampton while creating a positive, lasting addition to the community,” Kent wrote.
No specific type of medical practice has been selected either, Kent added, such as primary care, physical therapy, consulting services or others. Additionally, there is no current construction timeline.
Plans call for construction of a one-story, 7,200-square-foot building on 7.8 acres of forested land with a barn currently on site. Kent said the project will disturb slightly more than an acre of the site. The project also received permission from the Conservation Commission, a requirement since the property falls in a Water Supply Protection Overlay District.
Besides the building, there are other associated changes planned, including a parking lot with 36 spaces, a driveway, underground utilities, lighting fixtures and other components. A septic system will also be installed for the building.
There are few medical facilities in Southampton, the closest of which is a Mass General Brigham Express Care not far from the planned new building.
Witches on the pond
EASTHAMPTON — Who needs a witch broom when you have a paddleboard? That’s the question driving a group of locals to head out on Nashawannuck Pond dressed as witches to raise money for the Easthampton Community Center.
In its third year, the fundraiser takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 27, the same night as the city’s annual Rag Shag Parade. Resident Tara Roch started the event with local business owners Juliette Mooers and Lora DeWitt. Participants in witch costumes will launch on paddleboards and kayaks at about 5:30 p.m.
There were six witches the first year for the event dubbed “Brooms Up, Paddles Out!” That number doubled for the second year, and now, organizers hope for yet another this year.
“The children’s reactions to seeing the witches were priceless — a memorable meeting of Halloween imagination and on-the-water fun,” a statement about the event says. “The gathering puts a local twist on the season, taking the celebration beyond front porches and trick-or-treat routes and onto the pond. Witch costumes and paddles make an unusual pairing, but that is part of the charm.”
Donations can be made at the pond on the night of the Rag Shag Parade, which starts at 6:30 p.m. and passes around Nashawannuck Pond at around 7 p.m.
Easthampton Leadership Academy
EASTHAMPTON — Applications are open for the city’s Municipal Leadership Academy, giving residents the chance for an inside look of Easthampton’s government.
In its second year, the academy is open to 25 participants who will partake in a series of interactive sessions, aiming to give a better perspective of Easthampton’s government and encourage people to get involved. The academy is organized by several city councilors, including President Koni Denham, Vice President Felicia Jadczak and Tamara Smith.
There will be a total of nine sessions, getting an inside look into multiple parts of the government such as the school, police, fire, public works, planning departments and others. Currently, the first session is planned for Jan. 5, with the last one on March 16, but dates could change.
To apply, a from can be found online or in person at the Municipal Building, and must be returned to the Mayor’s Office the end of Thursday, Dec. 18.
Westhampton Beatles singalong
WESTHAMPTON — Daniel Johnson and friends will host a singalong of different Beatles’ hits at the Westhampton Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Johnson is a local musician who is well familiar with the Beatles, holding numerous singalongs at local venues in the area to share his love for many people’s favorite band.
“We all need a little joy in our week. Bring your voice and a sense of fun. Instrumentalists, bring your instruments. This is a no judgment zone,” a statement from the Town says.
In May, the library hosted a different Beatles-related concert called “Beatles Evolution,” with local musician Peter Prine. Johnson was in attendance at the concert, driving him to host the event next weekend.
