SOUTH HADLEY — The town has slid out of its pickleball court pickle.
Over the past two years, Buttery Brook Park underwent a series of renovations including a disc golf course, ADA-compliant playground equipment and four new pickleball courts. The project was on a smooth path forward until the town discovered in August 2025 that concrete laid for the courts was too coarse for safe play, setting the budget back by nearly $150,000.
Six months later, two donations have put the town back in the game. The Select Board accepted $20,000 from Friends of the South Hadley Seniors and $106,000 from Friends of Buttery Brook Park on Feb. 17. In total, the community raised $141,000 for these new courts, President of Friends of Buttery Brook Park Kim Prough said.
The gifts cover a majority of the bid to repave the courts with a finer concrete that matches U.S.A. Pickleball’s recommendations. Town Administrator Lisa Wong told the Select Board that the cost came in lower than expected at $147,000.
The town still plans to contribute up to $35,000 to the courts, which was designed by Berkshire Design and completed by Omasta Landscaping.
Prough said the sum reflects the generosity of numerous businesses and individuals who wanted to see more pickleball play in town. The four courts already at the park see use from morning until night by seniors, families, young professionals and students.
“Anybody that drives by the courts generally see a lot of people play on the courts,” Prough said. “It’s been a great investment in the community.”
Crashes down in South Hadley
SOUTH HADLEY — Vehicle crashes in South Hadley decreased 8% from the previous year after the town established a series of traffic-calming policies and infrastructure.
According to the annual report from the Traffic Review Committee, traffic accidents went down from 359 in 2024 to 320 in 2025 after seeing an increase in crashes during 2024.
In 2025, the Select Board established a new school zone along Route 116 and Lincoln Avenue and adopted a traffic calming policy that outlines strategies and enforcement to slow down vehicles. The policy also outlined a way for residents to request speed regulation measures.
During the annual Town Meeting in May 2025, Town Meeting members approved 25 mph statutory speed limits on all roadways without a posted speed sign.
This does not mean, however, road safety does not remain a top concern. The report includes 18 different traffic issues reported in town, from speeding to requests for a traffic signal.
In particular, there are several reports of speeding and distracted driving in the newly established school zone on Lincoln Avenue. The town implemented several education and enforcement efforts, like narrowing the road with temporary cones and adding a speed board, but residents have requested additional measures. The report said the committee will consider another stop sign and installing side walks to slow cars.
Improvements to traffic safety in 2025 stretch past enforcement and policy. Massachusetts Department of Transportation finished a paving project on Route 33 from Old Lyman Road to near Hollywood Street, the report said. The state agency also provided a grant for four different rapid flashing beacons to increase pedestrian safety. The beacons were installed in December 2025 between Morgan and Mosier streets; Mosier Elementary School and Michael E Smith Middle School; Main and Pleasant street and Brainard Street and Lyman streets.
The report also lists several infrastructure initiatives planned for 2026, including a public hearing on the redesign of Main Street in spring. MassDOT has completed 25% of the design review, and will likely finish 75% of the process by the end of summer, the report said. South Hadley Electric Lighting Department will begin lighting changes on College Street near Mount Holyoke College, including replacing 86 lighting fixtures with LED alternatives, moving six fixtures and adding 10 lights to improve pedestrian safety along College Street. The town also applied for grants to put up three speed boards to monitor speeds on busy streets.
Quabbin resolution
BELCHERTOWN — The Select Board looks to pass a resolution in favor of state legislation that compensates the 12 towns around the Quabbin Reservoir for their stewardship of the water resource.
During the Select Board meeting on Feb. 17, Quabbin Watershed Steward Ed Comeau presented a template resolution to the board for consideration. Members of the ad-hoc group will bring the resolution to each of the towns around the reservoir to create united support for more funding and representation of the region, Comeau said.
“I think it would benefit people all around raising awareness about the importance of the Quabbin, the value it brings to the region, plus $35 million,” he added.
The document lists the three provisions of An Act relative to the Quabbin Watershed and Regional Equity (H.1042/S.546): establish at Quabbin Host Community Development Trust Fund with $35 million deposited annually, disperse payments in lieu of taxes for the land around the reservoir and increase representation on the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.
Massachusetts created the Quabbin Reservoir 87 years ago by flooding the disincorporated towns of Dana, Prescott, Greenwich and Enfield in the Swift River Valley. Families that lived in the area were forced to give up their homes to create a 119,940-acre preserve with a 412 billion gallon water resource, the resolution says.
The Select Board expressed support for the resolution and asked to see a version of the template specific to Belchertown for a vote.
Two Town Democratic Committees meet ahead of caucus
SOUTH HADLEY/GRANBY — Town Democratic Committees in South Hadley and Granby will meet during the next two weeks to elect delegates for the 2026 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention.
On March 7, South Hadley Democratic Town Committee will vote for 11 delegates and four alternatives to represent the town for the convention in May. The annual caucus begins at 10 a.m. in the Community Room of the South Hadley Public Library, 2 Canal St. Any residents registered or pre-registered to vote as Democrats may participate.
The Granby Democratic Town Committee meets a week earlier on Feb 28 at 11 a.m. in Granby Free Public Library, 297 E State St. Voters will choose four representatives and four alternatives during the caucus. Only registered Democrats may vote in the caucus.
Elected delegates will then attend the Massachusetts Democratic State Convention at Worcester’s DNC Center on May 29 and 30 to determine eligible candidates for the statewide primaries in September. Offices for nomination include one U.S. Senate seat, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of the commonwealth, state treasurer and state auditor.
For more information or to get involved with the either Democratic Town Committee, email the committee at southhadleydemocrats@gmail.com or contact Tobias Wilson at chair@granbydemocrats.com.