Three hilltown communities were among the 36 towns in western Massachusetts that received grants from the state’s Municipal Small Bridge Program this week.

Chesterfield received $250,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Ireland Street over the Jackson Brook, Huntington received $300,000 to rehabilitate a bridge on Searle Road over the Pond Brook and Worthington received $500,000 to replace a bridge on Adams Road over the Kinne Brook.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack, and Highway Administrator Thomas Tinlin presented the awards at the State House. State Sen. Stanley Rosenberg and state Rep. Stephen Kulik attended the event along with town officials from the 36 communities.

“It was a great day,” Worthington Administrative Assistant Peggy O’Neal said. “It is different out here in the Hilltowns because when you close a bridge, it is not like you can just drive up a block or two for a detour. It can add miles to your commute.”

O’Neal said that several farms had been effected by the bridge closing over Searle Road last summer, which made it hard to move livestock and equipment and negatively impacted business at the nearby Justamere Tree Farm.

Chesterfield Town Administrator Sue Labrie said that the Ireland Street Bridge had not been completely closed but reduced to one lane due to “structural deficiencies.”

“It is very exciting because $250,000 is not something that is easily found in a municipal budget that is already level funded,” Labrie said. “We could not have repaired this bridge on our own.”

The Municipal Small Bridge Program is a $50 million program to aid in the replacement and preservation of municipally-owned small bridges that are not eligible for federal aid under existing bridge replacement or rehabilitation programs, and are at high risk for full or partial closure due to their conditions.

The program funds projects that show a critical need or can substantially extend the life of an existing small bridge. Projects are evaluated according to a strict set of criteria that consider the condition, benefits, and repair status of each bridge.

O’Neal said that she was happy to hear that the first round of awards this year went to communities in western Massachusetts. “It is nice to have the needs in the western part of the state recognized,” she said.

Best parenting presentation

If you are a parent or guardian of children, you may want to check out “Being At Your Best When Your Kids Are At Their Worst!” a presentation sponsored by the PTO’s of the Anne T. Dunphy and New Hingham elementary schools on Thursday, April 6.

The featured speaker for this event is author, educator and consultant Kim John Payne, who will help participants discover what prevents people from being at their parental best, and to “find their own parenting voice, rediscover the gift of a normal day, and explore what it means to be seen and valued by the family.”

Payne is a consultant and trainer to more than 230 independent and public schools in the United States. He has been a school counselor, adult educator, researcher, and private family counselor for 27 years, and is the author of a top-selling book, “Simplicity Parenting,” as well as “The Games Children Play,” “The Soul of Discipline,” and his latest book, “Being at Your Best When Your Kids Are At Their Worst.”

He currently lives with his wife and two children in Ashfield.

The event will take place at the Anne T Dunphy School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments and childcare will be provided. For more information call 268-8421 or email sjenkins@hr-k12.org.

Plainfield Scholarships

The Plainfield Congregational Church is accepting donations for its Plainfield Scholarship Program. All donations that will be matched by an anonymous benefactor up to $5,000.

The program makes scholarships available to high school seniors intending to enroll in a full-time college or vocational school program, students already enrolled in a college, vocational school or graduate program and intending to continue full-time study, and high school graduates not currently enrolled in a vocational or academic program but planning to enroll in a full-time program.

Donations can be sent to: Plainfield Scholarship Program, c/o Treasurer, Plainfield Congregational Church, P.O. Box 2, Plainfield, MA 01070.

The church is currently making scholarships available for the 2017-2018 school year. Residents of Plainfield planning a fall 2017 enrollment must submit applications by April 6. Scholarship applications are available at the Shaw Memorial Library.

Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at: Fryan.gazette@gmail.com

 

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