In Other News

Farmers Harvesting Tax Break

The Mass. Senate unanimously passed a sweeping bill Wednesday aimed at stabilizing agriculture, expanding food access and modernizing how Massachusetts defines farming. In one of its key provisions, the bill exempts agritourism from local zoning, which builds on tax policy designed to keep farms financially viable through the Chapter 61A program. Chapter 61A which allows farmland to be taxed based on agricultural value rather than market value. Those tax benefits can dramatically reduce costs for farmers. Data from fiscal 2017 shows 24 acres of land in the town of Southwick could see a tax bill drop from $1,640 to roughly $37 when classified as farmland under Chapter 61A, according to Springfield- and Northampton-based legal and tax advisors Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin.

Beaver Street Project Update ~ Monday (4/6) Through Friday (4/10)

RT. 140 (West Central Street) Lane Closure Alert: Monday Night (4/6)
Through Thursday Morning (4/9), 7 PM to 5 AM and Friday (4/10) 7 AM to 3 PM  The Contractor will continue installing the sewer force main within RT. 140 (West Central Street). The work will be contained within the southbound lane from Burger King to Beaver Street. During this time there will be evening lane closures on RT. 140. Please use caution when traveling in this area and follow all posted signs.  At the Franklin Recreation Center, construction of the new Beaver Street Interceptor Pump Station will continue with the installation and testing of internal building components and pumps. Access to the recreation center will NOT be affected during this time.

Medway Officer Sworn In

Town Clerk Stefany Ohannesian officially swore in Medway's newest police officer, William Tagliaferri. Surrounded by family and friends, Chief William Kingsbury and Town Manager Michael Boynton joined in welcoming Officer Tagliaferri to the department. While he is new to the badge, he is no stranger to our community. Officer Tagliaferri has been a dedicated member of our dispatch team for the past five years.

Another Franklin Trash Do-over

Despite trash trucks coming to town to collect the areas that were not collected on Friday 4/3/26; a section of Eldon Dr, Richard Ln, and Schofield Dr. were not collected on Saturday 4/4/26. These areas will be collected on Monday morning. See sections highlighted in RED