The Hilltown Arts Alliance, with support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, will be hosting a in-person Pop-Up art preview on June 20, 2021 from 2-4PM at the Rabbit Hole Restaurant in Worthington. Come and celebrate the re-opening of the arts in the hilltowns!

Come Meet The Artists That Make The Hills Their Home

CELEBRATE and share in the re-opening of Arts & Culture in the Hilltowns

SEE what our Hilltown Artists have been creating during the shutdown

VISIT outdoor & banquet room installations

DINE on delicious appetizers & cash bar

PREVIEW art destinations featured in our big event, now scheduled for the weekend of October 2nd & 3rd

Hilltown Mobile Market: Fresh & Local!

We are back for our third season in 2021! Visit our website to sign up for farm shares, view our market schedule and find out more about our amazing farm producers!

The Hilltown Mobile Market is a different kind of grocery store.  We carry produce grown by the farmers you know in the Hilltown places you love. We gather fresh and affordable Hilltown-grown produce from our neighbor farms each week for our mobile market. Everyone can shop for produce from our colorful veggie van at one of our four weekly stops in Blandford, Cummington, Huntington and Worthington. Purchases with SNAP, HIP, WIC and Senior FNMP Coupons are welcomed!

Our popular Hilltown Community Farm Share is a convenient and affordable way to enjoy fresh food grown on neighbor farms. Each share contains 5 items of produce, perfect for senior and small households. You get to choose the items in your share each week.  It's easy, fun, and delicious! 

The full value of a share is $180 worth of fresh vegetables - or approximately $15 per week. We understand this amount may not fit everyone’s budget. Thanks to grant funding and donations, we are able to offer additional reduced payment options. 

• Low-Income Share: $60 ($5 per week)

• Moderate-Income Share: $120 ($10 per week)

• Fair Share: $180 ($15 per week)

• Helping Hand Share: $240 ($20 per week)

 Please choose the option that best reflects your household’s ability to pay.  For more guidance, check out our sliding scale guidelines.  If you qualify for SNAP (food stamps) the cost will be fully reimbursed by the HIP program!  If you are able to afford a little more, our Helping Hand Share covers the cost of your share plus a Low-Income Share for another family in town.

 The share pickups are weekly for 12 weeks starting July 22-October 8. You can pick up your share at any of our market locations: Blandford, Cummington, Huntington or Worthington. Shares are limited so be sure to sign up early!

Sign up for the Hilltown Community Farm Share!

Our market opens on July 22, 2021 and end on October 8, 2021. Last year, we distributed over 80 farm shares, more than half of which went to low-income families. The “veggie van” moved over $20,000 of locally grown produce from 9 participating Hilltown farms. And 39% of customers reported an increase in their weekly fresh food consumption. Learn more to support our work or get involved!

Hilltown Community Development is looking for two qualified candidates committed to the Hilltowns to join our team!

---

HOUSING REHABILITATION MANAGER (FT)

Hilltown CDC is accepting applications for a Full-time Housing Rehabilitation Manager.   This position works directly with the Housing Rehab Specialist to provide services to low to moderate income households in the Hilltown region.  Responsibilities include outreach to potentially eligible homeowners, retention of local contractors to bid on work and management of each housing rehab project.  The program completes about twelve rehabs a year.  HR Manager must have experience in managing and complying with CDBG or comparable federal grants.  General knowledge of CDBG and the Hilltown community preferred.

Hours:  37.5 hours per week, generally Monday through Friday.  Occasional evening and weekend hours are required.

Compensation:  Salary range is $42,000-$48,000 per year, plus benefits.

Terms:  This is a grant-funded position.  The continuation of the position is subject to status of future funding.

EEO/AA/Section 3: Applicants with handicaps and needing assistance will be accommodated.  Among equally qualified candidates, low to moderate-income residents of the local region will be given preference.

How to Apply:  View the full job description here. Submit resume and cover letter by Friday, April 16, 2021 to Dave Christopolis, davec@hilltowncdc.org or mail to Hilltown CDC, PO Box 17 Chesterfield, MA 01012

 Hilltown CDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

---

HILLTOWN MOBILE MARKET OPERATOR (PT)

Hilltown CDC is hiring a Part-time Mobile Market Operator for the Hilltown Mobile Market, a collaborative initiative to increase the accessibility and affordability of Hilltown-grown produce.  The Market aggregates fresh local produce from Hilltown farms and sets up a weekly “pop-up” farmers market in four locations from mid-July through mid-October.  The Operator is responsible for communicating weekly with the Mobile Market Coordinator, driving the Mobile Market van, picking up produce from local farms, setting up four market sites each week on Thursdays and Fridays (with assistance from volunteers/interns), distributing shares and selling produce to customers, and delivering any leftover produce to the food pantry or community kitchen. The Operator must have excellent customer service skills, professionalism when working with local farmers and vendors, ability to drive a cargo van and lift boxes of produce up to 50lbs, familiarity with Microsoft Office and social media platforms and willing to train on POS software. Experience working in retail produce or at a farmer’s market, expressed enthusiasm for promoting and increasing the consumption of healthy, local foods and familiarity with the Hilltowns preferred.

Days/Hours: Training – 15-20 flexible hours starting June 15th. Market runs from July 19th – Oct 8th. Thursdays and Fridays on site – about eight hours per market day, plus 2 remote hours advance planning for a total of 18 hours a week.

Compensation:  From $15 to $19 an hour. 

Terms: This is a temporary part-time grant funded position

Supervised By:  Director of Community Programs

EOE/AA/Section 3: Applicants with handicaps and needing assistance will be accommodated.  Among equally qualified candidates, low to moderate-income residents of the local region will be given preference.

How to Apply:  To request job description, contact Kate Bavelock or kateb@hilltowncdc.org. Submit resume and cover letter by Friday, April 30, 2021.  Hilltown CDC, PO Box 17 Chesterfield, MA 01012

Hilltown CDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer

---

HILLTOWN MOBILE MARKET INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES (2)

The Community Engagement Intern will support the implementation of the Hilltown Mobile Market, a collaborative initiative to increase the accessibility and affordability of Hilltown-grown produce.  The intern will work closely with the Mobile Market Coordinator and Mobile Market Operator to support outreach and recruitment of program participants, assist with marketing and communications, and provide hands-on assistance on market days (Thursdays & Fridays, 2-6pm). Strong communication skills, experience working in a retail produce or farmers’ market setting, basic literacy in social media and marketing software, a passion for equity, food access and community food systems, and familiarity with the Hilltowns preferred.

The HIP Summer Intern will promote the use of the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program benefit at the Hilltown Mobile Market, a collaborative initiative to increase the accessibility and affordability of Hilltown-grown produce.  The intern will educate and advocate for customers to utilize their full monthly benefit at HIP-eligible vendors including the Hilltown Mobile Market, and work closely with the Mobile Market Coordinator and Mobile Market Operator to support the market in flexible ways. Strong communication skills, basic literacy in social media and marketing software, a passion for equity, food access and community food systems, and familiarity with the Hilltowns preferred.

Supervised By:  Kate Bavelock, Director of Community Programs

Days/Hours: Flexible, 10-12 hours per week including up to 8 hours per week staffing the market

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship, but we are happy to support students in applying for funding or obtaining course credit.

How to Apply: Send your resume and cover letter to kateb@hilltowncdc.org by April 30th, 2021

The arrival of the pandemic greatly impacted our social service programs at Hilltown CDC and we have worked tirelessly to find ways to continue to provide to assistance and support to low income families and individuals in the towns we serve. Our programs have adapted in ways we could not have predicted previously and we are pleased to report that our networks of support remain as strong as ever. 

The HEN Program continues to serve eligible elder households in 8 towns with services necessary to enable continued independent and safer living conditions. While elder participant levels have lowered slightly due to fears of caregivers visiting regularly, and caregiver availability has diminished somewhat in response to pandemic pressures, the program remains serving nearly as many individuals as before. Additionally, HEN has been able to offer enhanced services to many participants. Each town served has a HEN Coordinator who may be contacted for further information.

 The HOPE Program brings specialized geriatric nursing services to many home bound eligible elders throughout the hilltown region. This wonderful program operated by the Hilltown Community Health Center has been helping eligible elders with age related and health maintenance issues in their homes during the entirety of the Pandemic period.  Information concerning HOPE may be obtained by calling 413-238-5511 and following the phone menu to the HOPE office extension

 The Hilltown Food Pantry Program has managed to provide the regular distribution of supplementary foods to as many participants as ever in the past and has experienced greater that average demand for foods during the past year. Eligible individuals and households may attend weekly supplementary distributions to obtain the extra foods needed to provide healthy home meals. The Goshen site is operated by the Northampton Survival Center and information concerning foods and distributions maybe gained through calling 413 586-6564

 If you or someone you know are in need of assistance please reach out to one of our coordinators to see what services we may be able to offer or direct you to. Our communities are only as strong as each individual within them - and strongest when we all work together!

Businesses, nonprofits, artists, and farmers in the Hilltowns may now apply for small grants up to $15,000 for suffering a financial impact of any kind due to COVID.

The Hilltown COVID Relief Fund is available to businesses, nonprofits, artists, and farmers in the towns of: Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granville, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Plainfield, Russell, Williamsburg, Worthington.  

Due to a high volume of applications, the application window has closed as of Friday March 19, 2021 at 5PM. Thank you.

For more information, contact Michele Kenney at michelek@hilltowncdc.org

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Senator Adam Hinds worked with Dave Christopolis, Executive Director at Hilltown CDC to secure $250,000 in the State budget to provide additional support for the rural Hilltowns of Massachusetts.  Due to Senator Hind’s advocacy, Hilltown CDC received $250,000 to provide much needed financial relief to the region.  $150,000 of the fund will be administered by Hilltown CDC and $100,000 of the funding will be administered by the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association.

Grants are available for a wide range of needs and will be awarded on a first come, first eligible, completed application basis, subject to the availability of funding. Applicants must be a registered business or organization and must certify that this funding is not a duplication of any benefits collected through The Paycheck Protection Program, Unemployment compensation benefits, Insurance claims/proceeds, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds, Small Business Administration funds, other Federal, State or local funding, or any other nonprofit, private sector, or charitable funding.

The Housing Rehab Program got a delayed start in 2020 with the onset of the Covid-19 virus.  All housing rehab work was put on hold until a clear definition emerged from the State and local governments regarding safety protocols.  Once these guidelines were established, exterior work was permitted for the first four months of the year, then interior was approved only after every local Board of Health was contacted to review our safety protocols and obtain authorization for this work.  Since these safety protocols have been put in place, the Housing Rehab Program has successfully undertaken 15 projects to date with no virus contamination for the homeowners or contractors.

Considering the difficult start for the program, Housing Rehab is currently experiencing good success.  There were four projects that had very serious repairs which were completely restored to acceptable living conditions with new roofs, siding, windows, two heating systems, and two septic systems. A total of 15 projects received funding under the the FY19 Grant, with two additional projects pending review.

Senior households served:  10 households / 16 beneficiaries
Households receiving lead paint remediation:  4
Households receiving septic repair assistance:  5
Households receiving handicap accessibility assistance:  3
Households receiving heating systems:  5

Applications for 2021 are now being accepted - Apply Today! Eligible applicants are low-moderate income households in Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Williamsburg, or Worthington. Typical services include replacement roofs, siding, windows/doors, updating electrical and plumbing, installing handicap accessible ramps and baths, replacing failed wells, septic systems, and remediating lead paint hazards. 

BEFORE: Wood siding deteriorated

AFTER: New vinyl siding installed to protect the home and provide greater insulation.

VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING 

CDBG FY19 and FY20 Grant Review and Budget Amendment

 Where: Town of Chesterfield Selectboard Meeting Room – Virtual meeting 

When: Monday, March 15th, 2021 at 5:00 pm.

Contact the Town Administrator for log in information

Items regarding Chesterfield CDBG grants including the towns of Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield and Worthington (plus Ashfield, Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield and Montgomery for the CDBG-CV grant) will be discussed:

· CDBG-19: A review of the Housing Rehabilitation, HEN, HOPE, Food Pantry, It Takes A Village and Food Bucks programs.

· CDBG FY20 Budget Amendment: Shift of Program Income funds to the FY20 Housing Rehab. Program.

· CDBG–CV: A review of the Micro-enterprise Relief and Food Bucks programs with possible budget amendment to add the Town of Westhampton.

Anyone interested in sharing ideas or comments regarding these programs is welcome and encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend but would like to provide feedback, please email beavh@hilltowncdc.org or mail your comments to Hilltown CDC, PO Box 17, Chesterfield, 01012

Dear Hilltowners,

I don’t know about you, but I sure am ready for spring.  As I start to plan out my planting strategy this year, I am beginning to get seeds ready for indoor starters.   I can’t wait to clean out the barn for the ducks and chickens and as soon as the ground thaws get back to completing our fencing for new goats to arrive this year.  Early in the COVID pandemic, we pruned our apple trees and blueberry bushes and expanded our growing capacity. I feel very grateful that I have the privilege of living the Hilltowns where we can grow our own food and make many of our own products for living.

I am also grateful for all the hard-working people in the Hilltowns who have helped our community through possibly one of the toughest years in our lifetimes.   Hilltown neighbors helped neighbors with food and transportation, checking in and staying connected.

Like all communities, not all of us are as fortunate as others.  Hilltown CDC has been in operation since 1981 and I am proud to be an employee at such an important organization. Mainly because the mission of the CDC is to look out for those in our community who may be experiencing a difficult time or struggle to make ends meet.

Because Hilltown CDC has been a successful organization in delivering on its mission, it was positioned to provide assistance to those who need it during this state of emergency.  Hilltown CDC prioritized food assistance and small business assistance as ways to help people get through the pandemic.   We continued to offer all our services with staff primarily working from home.  We have been following the Governor’s orders regarding COVID safety protocols and use of our office which is not open to the public yet.

Some things you may not know:  We purchased the old high school in Chester and have plans to renovate the building preserving 15 units of affordable housing.   We continue to operate a Mobile Market in the summer, selling food from local farms.  Stay tuned for this year’s market.  During COVID, we received a 5-year Public Health grant that we are using to engage 13 Hilltowns in healthy aging initiatives.  They include safe walking and recreating among other things.

We will continue to provide small business assistance and grants to do what we can to ensure local Hilltown businesses can make it through this economic downturn.   We will also continue to build from our advocacy efforts to demand more rural resources from our state government as the Hilltowns continue to evolve in the twenty-first century. 

I look forward to seeing people as the weather warms up.

Dave

The Cummington Cultural District’s I Love Cummington Photo Contest during the first three weeks of February encouraged Cummington residents to submit photos of their favorite local scenes and tell the Cummington Cultural District planning committee what they loved about the town, as well as their vision for more arts and cultural offerings they would like to see in Cummington. Online public voting resulted in favorite photos in five age categories.

The Cummington Cultural District is pleased to announce the winners:  Lysander Woodard, Potash Hill Farmstead (0-12 age group), Fionnghuala Reagan, sunset (12-16 age group), Joanna Jarcz, Night Skies (17-19 age group), Katy Eiseman, Sheep (40-59 age group), Paula Zindler, Cummington Clouds (60+ age group).

Congratulations!  And, thank you to everyone who participated by submitting a photo or voting.  Thank you also to prize donors:  Alice’s Kitchen, Old Creamery Coop, A2Z Science & Learning Toys, A Wing & A Prayer Nursery, Cummington water color artist June Ferrin, and the Cummington Fair.

 The Cultural District Committee is in the process of exploring a Massachusetts Cultural Council designation as a Cultural District – a distinct area known as a vibrant place with creative people and events -  which makes the district eligible for state recognition and arts and culture support.  The proposed district would give existing programs and events such as Friday Night Café, Hilltown Bash, Kingman Tavern Museum, the Cummington Fair and Project Art contemporary ceramics a new way to cross-promote events and build support for arts and culture in Cummington.

 The photo contest was part of the community engagement process for the application by which the committee asks for public input on priorities and the proposed program of work for the district.

Potash Hill Farmstead

By Lysander Woodard

Sunset

By Fionnghuala Reagan

Night

By Joanna Jaracz

Sheep

By Katy Eiseman

Cummington Clouds

By Paula Zindler

Age Category                  Winner                  Prizes                                                                                      

0-12                       Lysander Woodard, Potash Hill Farmstead        

$10 Gift Certificate to Old Creamery Coop, Cummington, $25 Gift Certificate to A2Z Science & Learning Toys, Northampton, Tickets to the Cummington Fair (2022) 

12-16                     Fionnghuala Reagan, sunset      

$10 Gift Certificate to Old Creamery Coop, Cummington, $25 Gift Certificate to A2Z Science & Learning Toys, Northampton, Tickets to the Cummington Fair (2022) 

17-19                     Joanna Jaracz, Night Skies                    

$10 Gift Certificate to Old Creamery Coop, Cummington, $25 Gift Certificate to A2Z Science & Learning Toys, Northampton, Tickets to the Cummington Fair (2022) 

20-39                     None 

40-59                     Katy Eiseman, Sheep                    

$50 Gift Certificate to Alice’s Kitchen, Cummington                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

60+                         Paula Zindler, Cummington Clouds                    

Watercolor painting from Cummington artist June Ferrin, $50 Gift Certificate to Wing & a Prayer Nursery, Cummington

We sat down with Housing Director Paul Lischetti to learn more about the recent addition of the Chester Commons Building to our Housing program.

How did we come across the Chester building? ​Chester Commons is the former Chester High School building. It was converted to affordable housing for people over the age of 55 or who have disabilities in 1987. The Chester Library (the Hamilton Memorial Library) and the town's mineral museum are also located in the building. We had heard that the previous owner of the building was interested in retiring.

Why did we decide to purchase the building? ​Hilltown CDC wanted to make sure that if the building was sold, it would continue to serve the community as affordable housing.

What funding sources/agencies helped in purchasing the building? ​We obtained two loans from the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), a Boston-based agency that provides loans and technical assistance for affordable housing work. One loan was to purchase the building. The other loan is used to pay for pre-development expenses including an appraisal, architecture and engineering, legal expenses, and environmental compliance.

What are some of the challenges of managing this new property? ​The building is in need of improvements including replacement of the flat roof and repairs to the sloping slate roof, brick and masonry repairs, window repairs and replacements, a new boiler and other energy conservation improvements, and handicapped accessibility improvements to meet current standards. We are also interested in adding an elevator if adequate funding can be identified, to improve access to the second and third floors for the building's elderly and disabled residents. Chester Commons is a contributing structure to the Chester Factory Village National Register Historic District and historic features of the building must be preserved as improvements are made.

What are our future renovation plans? ​Hilltown CDC has received funding awards from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and the State Historic Tax Credit program. Federal Historic Tax Credits are also being applied for. We have also submitted an application for funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the needed improvements. The process of applying for funds is competitive and usually takes more than a year to complete. Once funding has been lined up, the work can proceed.

For additional questions related to this project, please contact Paul Lischetti at paull@hilltowncc.org. To apply for housing in the Chester Commons or any other HCDC property, please contact Kristepher Severy at kristephers@hilltowncdc.org

Equal Housing Opportunity

Hilltown CDC, on behalf of the Town of Chesterfield, is seeking community input regarding potential projects to be included in the FY2021 Community Development Block Grant application. Typical programs included are: Housing Rehabilitation, Hilltown Elder Network, Health Outreach Program for Elders, Hilltown Food Pantry and It Takes A Village. If there are new programs/activities you would like to have considered, please let us know as well! Your participation and input on these programs is greatly appreciated.

If you have participated in, or know someone who has participated in any of these programs and would like to share success stories, or ways to improve the programs please contact Bea at beavh@hilltowncdc.org or 296-4536, ext 115. Similarly, if you know people who could use the program please share your support of the program by sending a letter to Hilltown CDC

Or, if you live in Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg or Worthington, please add your name to our petition and take the survey!

Hilltown Community Development will not be offering community tax prep assistance this year due to ongoing safety concerns for our volunteers, staff and clients.

Community Action

Community Action Pioneer Valley is providing FREE tax assistance to clients who live in Hampshire or Franklin counties with incomes of $31,900 or less (for a single filer).

Clients will need to be able to scan and email their documents to participate this year. Those who do not have that ability are encouraged to wait until March when Community Action hopes to offer a “drive through” scanning of documents.

For additional information and to schedule an appointment please visit Community Action at https://www.communityaction.us/freetaxassistance or call 413-376-1136.

AARP Tax Aide

AARP sites are now scheduling at senior centers in Lee, Great Barrington, Pittsfield, and Westfield. One does not have to be a senior to have AARP complete their taxes. Clients may go to the site and have their documents scanned. Later they will pick up their completed returns. Clients can call the senior centers directly to make appointments:

Lee: 413-243-5545

Great Barrington: 413-528-1881

Pittsfield: 413-499-9346

Westfield: 413-562-6435

An additional tax resource is AARP’s free online tax assistance website. There are no income limits or other restrictions for people to utilize the AARP self-prepared service.

You may be also eligible to self-file online using free tax software. For more information visit https://taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/online-self-filing-software.

Please note that the IRS is not accepting 2020 tax returns until February 12th this year.

Throughout the pandemic, Hilltown CDC staff have continued working on behalf of our communities, our tenants, and our small local farms and businesses. Although it has been many months since we all gathered together in person, we are thrilled to have grown our family with the addition of two new staff to our Housing Team:

We are delighted to introduce Jennifer O'Connell who was recently hired as our Housing Services Coordinator.  Jennifer brings her skilled background in case management to our team and will focus on helping our tenants access needed services and support.  Before Hilltown CDC, Jennifer worked as a Case Manager at Swift River in Cummington and assisted severely mentally ill clients in Enfield, CT to be able to live independently in their community.

Jennifer earned her associates in Human Services from Asnuntuck Community College and trained as a Nurse's aide.  She has always enjoyed helping people and is happy to be able to work locally in the Hilltowns.  She lives in the Hilltowns with her partner and 8-year-old daughter, and her daughter's kitten, Pluto.  She loves being outdoors in the summer.

---

Kristepher Severy is our new Property Manager, taking over for Stephanie Bean as she transitions to our Accounting Department. Kris spent the last nine years working with Pancione Associates, the property management company that services all of the apartments and buildings owned by Hilltown CDC. He also served as the Property Chair for Laurel Park in Northampton where he has lived for the past ten years.

Kris says he enjoys the dynamic nature of working with people on ever-changing projects. He enjoys architecture and likes to see improvement! Kris also has an art history degree and music background, and managed Raven Used Books bookstore in Northampton for 17 years. He enjoys reading, singing, kayaking, cycling, cider, and sculpture parks

---

In addition, we also welcomed Clara Rowan to our finance department. She has worked in the financial field for the past 15 years at a few local housing authorities. In her spare time Clara likes to travel! Welcome to the family Jen, Kris and Clara!

Are you looking for an affordable apartment in Chester?

Hilltown CDC is currently accepting applications for one studio and one 1-bedroom apartment on the third floor of 1 School Street in Chester, MA. Tenancy is limited to those 55 years of age or older, or persons with disability. Rents are subsidized by Massachusetts Rental Vouchers. Subsidies are based on income.

Rent for studio (before subsidy): $774.00

Rent for one bedroom (before subsidy): $774.00

Incomes limits are set at 80% of area median, and may not be more than the amounts listed:

1 Person – $47,850

2 Person – $54,650

Complete applications must be received by 1/31/21. Tenancy expected to begin in February. Applications will be mailed or emailed upon request. For more information, call Kristepher 413-296-4536 ext. 105, or email kristephers@hilltowncdc.org

Equal Housing Opportunity

VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING 

CDBG FY19 grant Budget Amendment and grant extension  

 Where: Town of Chesterfield Selectboard Meeting Room – Virtual meeting 

When: Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 at 5:00 pm 

(Contact the Town of Chesterfield for information regarding remote public access to the meeting.)  

Participating Communities: Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Williamsburg and Worthington 

Discussion topics: 

• Shift of funds from Hilltown Food Bucks Program to Housing Rehab Program  

• Grant extension to June 30th or Sept 30th, 2021.   

If you are unable to attend the virtual public hearing but have comments on any of the above, please email Bea at beavh@hilltowncdc.org 

Hilltown Community Development has announced the winners of the Hilltown Directory “Sights of the Hilltowns” Photo contest. Participants submitted entries of photos they had taken in the 23 Hilltown area that is served by the Hilltown CDC. People could then vote on their favorite photos through online voting. The winning photos received the most votes.

All winning photos can be seen on the Hilltown Directory website: hilltowndirectory.com

$250 “Grand Shutterbug” award goes to Jon Berman, of Blandford

 “This photo was taken a couple autumns ago on Birch Hill Road in Blandford. One of the challenges was the angle of the photo to minimize impact of the telephone wires while still capturing the sunset crested ridgeline. I took the photo using what my friend photographer John Stanmeyer called “a fine camera with a phone attached” - an iPhone 6S.”

$100 “Prime Paparazzo” award goes to Katharine Adams, of Otis

“The pastoral scene was photographed on October 6, 2020 in Becket near the intersection of Routes 8 & 20, representing a gentle land I frequently gaze upon and admire.”

$50 Awesome Image Award to Paula Hebert-Pike

“I took the photo in October of 2015. The barn is located on Rt. 112 in Worthington, in the South section of town.”

$50 Awesome Image Award to Jan Luzzi

“My photo was taken on the Ashfield Trail system which heads out from the base of Pony Mountain and the Climbing wall, near Chapel Falls. It is fondly known as ‘The Beaver Pond’.”

Winners of the “People’s Choice awards” for each town are as follows.  These photos received the most votes of the photos submitted for the individual towns:

Notably, Jan Luzzi of Florence not only received the awesome image award for Ashfield, but also had the people’s choice award for the towns of Chesterfield and Plainfield. David Butcher received the people’s choice award for both the towns of Westhampton and Huntington, and Susanne Robertson received the people’s Choice award for both Goshen and Dalton.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Chester-Samuel Mazzaferro

Chesterfield- Jan Luzzi

Cummington- Nancy Cole

Dalton- Susanne Robertson

Goshen- Susanne Robertson

Haydenville- Kelly Bombard

Hinsdale- AJ Zahn

Huntington- David Butcher

Middlefield- Sarah Foley

Montgomery- Richard Chapman

Otis- Karen McTaggart

Plainfield- Jan Luzzi

Russell- Elizabeth Massa

Washington- Gavin Crochiere

Williamsburg- Daria DArienzo

Windsor- Kathryn Wells

Westhampton- David Butcher

Worthington- Paula Hebert-Pike

MA just announced their Small Business grant program administered through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.  

There are options for businesses with 50 and fewer employees as well as for micro businesses with 5 and under employees.  

 If you are interested in accessing up to $25,000 as a micro business or up to $75,000 for your business of 50 or under employees impacted by COVID-19 this is worth a look!

Investigate parameters and apply ASAP before funds are gone if you are interested!  Applications close Nov 12th at noon!

Hilltown CDC has received a three-year grant from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to build on and expand age-friendly walkability in their rural region. Walkable communities emerged as a priority from an age-friendly initiative in the Northern Hilltowns in the fall and winter of 2019: in town after town, meeting after meeting, older adults said they did not feel safe crossing the road or walking in their Village Centers. The project covers Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington, most of which have a state road bisecting their town center, sometimes carrying high-speed traffic. Hilltown CDC is partnering with Healthy Hampshire, the Northern Hilltown Council on Aging Consortium, and WalkBoston on the Healthy Aging grant.

Through the grant, Hilltown CDC and its partners will work to engage communities, conduct walk audits, identify opportunities to improve walkability, and advocate and collaborate on making improvements in each of the seven towns. They plan to take a different approach in each community, as some towns have already done substantial walkability work, while others are just beginning. While direct, in-person engagement with older adults was a critical piece of the original project proposal, project partners are currently working to revise their timelines to avoid in-person gatherings during COVID-19. They plan to begin by focusing on building strong relationships with the Select Boards in each town, as well as with MassDOT at the state level. They are also researching the possibility of engaging older adults virtually, although lack of broadband in the rural region poses a barrier.

“When we talk about transportation, walking really has a role. We believe that walking is very important – even in rural areas – for health reasons, for community, and for those businesses we do have in Village Centers, like the post office and the corner store. In rural communities as well, people can and should be able to walk to amenities. Hilltown CDC has had a longtime commitment to Village Center model, and this is a really important project to us from that perspective,” explains Kate Bavelock, Director of Community Programs at the CDC.

Hilltown CDC is hiring!

We are looking for an Affordable Housing Property Manager and a Housing Services Coordinator to join our Housing Team. For more information on these positions and how to apply, please visit our Jobs page.

Hilltown CDC has partnered with our local retailers and farm stands to bring you Hilltown Food Bucks, a local effort to help HIlltown residents stretch their food dollars while supporting our critical local food businesses in a difficult time of social and economic stress.

Eligible participants can receive between $100-$125 food coupons per month for five months to be used at participating local stores and farms. The coupons double your spending power when you make a purchase, so a shopping basket worth $80 can be paid for with $40 of coupons and $40 of your own money.

To be eligible, you must live in one of the towns we serve through our Community Block Grant: Ashfield, Blandford, Chester, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Plainfield, Williamsburg and Worthington. Program funding is limited, and will fill on a first come, first serve basis – we will let you know if a slot is available for you after we receive your application. If you are interested, please complete the one page application attached here. For questions on the Hilltown Food Bucks program, please contact Kate Bavelock, Director of Community Programs, at kateb@hilltowncdc.org or 413-296-4536 x 116.

Participating Retailers:

Blandford Country Store – 98 Main Street Blandford (NEW!)

Chester Village Market – 191 Rt. 20, Chester (NEW!)

Corners Grocery Store – 2 Packard Common, Worthington

Chesterfield General Store – 432 Main Rd, Chesterfield

Old Creamery Co-op – 445 Berkshire Trial (Rt. 9), Cummington

Moltenbrey’s Market – 44 Worthington Rd, Huntington

Williamsburg Market – 12 Main St, Williamsburg

Participating Farm Stands:

Crabapple Farm –100 Bryant St, Chesterfield

Cream of the Crop Farmstand – 601 Blandford Rd, Russell (NEW!)

Four Corners Farm – 27 Old North Rd, Worthington

Good Bunch Farm – 221 N River Rd, Shelburne Falls

Hart Farm – 585 S Shirkshire Rd, Conway

Intervale Farm – 106 S Rd, Westhampton

Sawyer Farm – 19 Sawyer Rd, Worthington (online ordering & curbside pickup only)