EASTHAMPTON — The city recently launched a 2023 Business Census survey for business owners, innovators and entrepreneurs in the community.

The survey — in partnership with the Chamber of Greater Easthampton and Blueprint Easthampton — seeks to understand how the city can better support local businesses and entrepreneurs.

“A sustainable, local economy thrives only with our city understanding long time and diverse business needs, struggles and strengths,” said Mayor Nicole LaChapelle in a statement.

The census includes a web-based survey at https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/i7B3i6 and other efforts to speak with business owners.

“This strong collaboration between all of us is what builds the strong foundation of economic opportunity, growth and resiliency,” Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Moe Belliveau said in a statement.

Businesses that complete the survey will be entered to win a business grant of $500 or $1,000. All who own a business, whether it’s new, existing, or information, are encouraged to participate.

Climate Action Plan seeks input

EASTHAMPTON — As part of its ongoing effort to develop a Climate Action Plan, the city continues to seek input from residents and business owners in a survey and at an upcoming brainstorming event.

The plan will provide a citywide roadmap to reduce emissions, increase adoption of clean energy alternatives, and improve resiliency.

Topics to be explored during development of the plan, with the consulting firm Weston & Sampson, include: energy efficiency/conservation, building electrification, renewable energy, electric vehicles, alternative transportation, waste reduction, land use and community resilience.

The 10-minute survey is open to any residents who’d like to share their input on climate change, heating and cooling bills, challenges with extreme weather conditions and other topics, and can be found at https://tinyurl.com/EasthamptonCAPSurvey.

In addition to the survey, a brainstorming session will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 27 at City Hall, 50 Payson Ave. The discussion will center on identifying action items and determining how the city can achieve its climate goals. Professionals from the consulting firm will help guide the discussion.

Classroom grant award

EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton High School teacher Kelley Brown was awarded a $500 classroom grant through the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Helen Pouch Memorial Fund Classroom Grant Award will be used to offset costs of local history projects in Brown’s U.S. History class.

With the funding, students will visit the Easthampton Historical Society, Forbes Library Hampshire Room, and the UMass Special Collections and Archives to meet with archivists who will help them through the local history research process.

Students will then use primary source materials to answer a local historical question and present their research to the community in June at Easthampton High School.

Source to Sea cleanup

EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton participated in the 27th annual Source to Sea Cleanup on Sunday.

Held by the Connecticut River Conservancy, the community cleanup is a four-state effort to clean up trash and debris along shorelines and rivers.

Last year, over 1,200 volunteers joined the cleanup across Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. The group diverted about 34 tons of trash from rivers and streams, 12,399 beverage containers, and 7,803 pounds of scrap metal.

With over 40 volunteers currently signed up, the Easthampton group will meet at Millside Park at 9 a.m. and will work until noon cleaning the Oxbow, Manhan River, and Nashawannuck Pond, as well as the bike path.

Other participating groups are registered in Holyoke, South Hadley, Northampton, Hadley and Amherst.

Volunteers can register at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/source2seacleanup2023/.

Westhampton Fall Festival

WESTHAMPTON — Westhampton’s 16th annual Fall Festival is seeking volunteers to serve food at the celebration on Oct. 15 beginning at noon.

The celebration, which will take place at the Westhampton Public Library and the Blacksmith Shop Museum, will include a 5K race, antique engines, barbeque food, a woodsmen show, sledgehammer toss competitions, a story walk, firefighter brigade, art exhibit, fair houses and more.

The festival’s signature event, “The Great Pumpkin Roll” will begin at 4 p.m. with the rolling of pumpkins down Stage Road.

Volunteer shifts are expected to be about 90 minutes long. Those interested can share their name, phone number and volunteer time with Betty-Anne Gould at 757-849-9995.

9/11 remembrance ceremony

EASTHAMPTON — A 9/11 remembrance ceremony will be held at the Public Safety Complex, 32 Payson Ave., on Monday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. 

Monday will mark 22 years since the terrorist attacks in 2001, when nearly 3,000 people died. The ceremony will invite attendees to reflect and remember lives lost, including police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, military personnel and civilians.

Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, Police Chief Robert Alberti and Fire Chief Christopher Norris will be present at the event.

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