Eversource installing ‘smart meters’ in 2025

SPRINGFIELD — Eversource will begin transitioning homes and business across the commonwealth to smart meters in 2025, part of an effort to modernize the power grid to enhance electric reliability and improve service for customers.

Smart meters offer several new capabilities that will provide customers with detailed information about their energy use and enable Eversource to proactively address issues on the electric system before power outages occur. The new technology will also deliver automatic, real-time information to Eversource that will eliminate the need for customers to report an outage and help speed power restoration outside major storms.

Eversource will begin replacing all electric meters with smart meters in the second half of 2025 starting in western Massachusetts. A smart meter is a digital electric meter with wireless communication capabilities. Network devices receive data from the smart meters and transmit it to Eversource’s systems, allowing the energy company to communicate with the equipment. This modern, smart tech will provide customers with enhanced, real-time power outage alerts and enable Eversource to start or end a customers’ service remotely, eliminating the time they wait for a crew to come out.

Deerfield residents invited to Tree House public feedback session

DEERFIELD — The town is inviting residents to a public feedback session on Tree House Brewing Co.

In the wake of several complaints about concert noise toward the end of the 2024 season, the Select Board committed to hosting a public feedback session to gather residents’ thoughts on the popular brewery. The forum will be held at Town Hall, 8 Conway St., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m.

The forum comes as Tree House is finalizing a public safety plan, which is the final step in the process to triple outdoor occupancy at the venue from 1,500 people to 5,000 in anticipation of larger concerts with bigger artists.

Deerfield hosting community forum on flood mitigation projects

DEERFIELD — Residents are invited to a community forum focused on the watershed analysis being conducted on the Bloody and Blacksmith brooks, which will help the town better understand the cause of flooding and what can be done to mitigate it.

The forum will also include a presentation on federal cost-sharing programs for flood prevention and watershed protection. It will be held at Town Hall, 8 Conway St., on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m.

Speakers will include Rosalie Starvish, a representative from engineering firm GZA; Nic Miller from Field Geology Services; and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

South County Senior Center to host EMS information session

SUNDERLAND — The South County Senior Center is welcoming South County EMS for an information session.

The session will provide information about the paramedic-level services that South County EMS provides to the towns of Deerfield, Sunderland and Whately. The session will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the Senior Center, 22 Amherst Road in Sunderland. Folks are asked to RSVP by Jan. 13.

For more information, call Program Coordinator Thomas Patria at 413-665-9508.

Mount Toby Concerts hosting Dear Ella on Jan. 18

LEVERETT — Mount Toby Concerts will continue on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. with musical trio Dear Ella.

The group, made up of Ann Percival on guitar, ukulele and snare; Mary Witt on bass; and Annie Patterson on banjo, guitar and snare, came together during the pandemic with a repertoire including swing, R&B and acoustic folk music.

A suggested donation of $15 to $20 is requested at the door. To reserve seats, email diacrowe@yahoo.com or call 413-835-1695. The concert venue is at 194 Long Plain Road (Route 63).