Dear Mary Elise and Friends,
Thank you for consulting with me about useful historical facts for a 250th song for the Town of Shutesbury. In addition to editing your timeline, I will give you some descriptions and details that might be useful when rhymes don’t match mostly, but not all credited to Louis Everts 1879 History of the Connecticut Valley: I’ve bolded my notes to differentiate them from what was sent to me. Leslie Bracebridge, Shutesbury Town Clerk. If you would like more information on any topic, you can call me at 259-1204 or email me at townclerk@shutesbury.org.
1. Shutesbury (26.8 square miles) is a hilly town with many elevations, the highest is 1,225 feet above sea level, the lowest 350 feet. We are bestowed with mountain brooks and streams and our resort Lake Wyola. Nearly 1/3 of the town is owned by the state of Massachusetts (Quabbin Reservoir and the state park at Lake Wyola) and the Town of Amherst water department, for our most valuable resource – fresh and pure recreational and drinking water. Over 90% of the town is forested. Most people who move to Shutesbury do so for the natural beauty, peace and quiet and for the excellent school system, but not for the taxes which are known to be high!
Our highest peak is Morse Hill. Another peak, Mount Mineral is known for its springs, once purported to be healing springs which invalids visited throughout the 1800’s to be cured of many ailments. One can still see Mt. Wachusett, Mt. Monadnock and Mt Greylock from certain viewpoints.
Shutesbury was long known for the healthfulness of its climate. A ____ brochure advertising the Lodge at Lake Wyola claims that the air is “completely free of malaria.”
Once not so plentiful, bears, moose, coyotes, bald eagles, osprey and bobcats are now commonly seen joining the white-tailed deer, raccoons, fox, chicadees, bluebirds and barred owls who have always been our friends.
Shutesbury’s 19th century residents looked to the (west Branch of) the Swift River on our east, Roaring Brook on our west, Locks Pond (now Lake Wyola) on our North and Dean Brook in our south, and to the many mill ponds and waterways in between, for much of their energy needs. The abundant forests provided many wood products (including railroad ties and lumber) to sell to the surrounding area. Additional Shutesbury colonial industries included boot and shoe shops, Crossman’s rake shop and Haskin’s gold tipped pen shop.
1658 “Perhaps the earliest record of Shutesbury lands is in an Indian deed. This conveyance ‘unto Major Jno Pynchon of Springfield’ was dated Dec. 5, 1658 and signed by ‘Umpanchla alias Womscom,’ ‘Quonoquont alias Wompshaw,’ and ‘Chickwolopp alias Wowahillowa’ – ye sachems of Nolwotogg.’ It included parts of the present towns of Shutesbury, Amherst, Belchertown, Pelham and Hadley ‘being neare about nine miles in length from ye South part to ye North part, and all within ye Compass from Quenecticot River Eastward Nine miles out into ye Woods” Above quote taken from the 1937 booklet commemorating the “200th anniversary of the settlement of Shutesbury.”
The land on which Shutesbury now sits was granted to the Proprietors of Roadtown in 1735 in payment (and aptly named) for the building of an east-west inland cart road from Lancaster to Sunderland (Connecticut River):
1735 The General Court grants land to the Proprietors of Roadtown with specific settlement goals to be achieved: Including “Within 4 years, sixty families must have settled there. Each family must build a house 18 feet square with ceilings 7 feet high. They must also clear land: four acres for crops and four more acres for English grass. Together the families must lay out a lot for a minister, one for a church and a third for a school. They must build a meeting house and find a minister to settle in the community with them. Lastly they must make their road wide enough and smooth enough to be used by carts.”
1737 The first sawmill is built on Roaring Brook.
1737 First house built in Roadtown by Jonathan Burt. (Burned to ground approximately 1931, per Karl Dihlmann.)
1738 The first meetinghouse was built.
1739 First meeting of the proprietors actually held on Shutesbury land (rather than in Lancaster, where the majority of proprietors were from.) at the home of Jonathan Burt.
1746 First recorded birth: Lucy, daughter of Jonathan Dickinson
1747 Daniel Shays born in Hopkinton
1747 First gristmill built in the southeast portion of Shutesbury by Benjamin Harris on Harris Brook.
1754 Jonas Lock builds a Grist mill at Lock’s Pond.
1756 First roads built(after the cart way which was Cooleyville Road to Leverett Road to Pratt Corner Road going straight onto Leverett’s January Hills Road.) from the meeting house to the north line, from the meetinghouse to the south line and from east to west (the last likely being in the in what is now the northern section of town from my reading of the description.)
1761 First Town Pound built. (Near meeting house.)
Governor Shute: Born in London England in 1653, Royal Governor of Massachusetts 1716 – 1723, died in England April 15, 1742.
1761 Shutesbury incorporated (Upon incorporation June 30, 1761, Roadtown was renamed Shutesbury in honor of Governor Shute by then Governor Francis Bernard, whose wife Amelia, was Governor Shute’s niece. A large Bible, presented to this town in 1764 by Amelia Bernard, rebound in 1937 is stored in the town vault.)
Oct. 5, 1761: First town meeting
1762 First recorded death: Sarah Harris.
1763 First recorded marriage: Silent Wilde of Shutesbury and Eunice Strong of Union Connecticut.
1765 Two stocks were built.
1765 L6 (6 pounds) raised for schooling.
1768 L4 (four pounds) raised for a school.
1772 Daniel Shays marries Abigail Gilbert (not in Shutesbury)
1772 Daniel Shays purchased Leonard farm
1773 Birth of Daniel Shays, son of Daniel and Abigail Shays in Shutesbury.
1776 Last town meeting held in the name of King George III
1779 Rev. Abraham Hill refuses to pay his taxes, forced to do so, he brought action against the town in the court of Common Pleas at Northampton. The town responded that it did not recognize the British laws under which the court was framed and that was the last of the matter.
1777 Daniel Shays purchased 50 acres from Samuel Cady (Just to west of current town hall)
1781 L12 (12 pounds) raised and divided between the North end and the Centre schools.
1781 The North end of Shutesbury was apportioned off to and in the creation of Wendell. (Original Roadtown/Shutesbury went all the way to the Millers River.)
1786 Shays rebellion
“Capt. Samson, of Shutesbury, was one of the first to join Shay’s cause and was one of the staunchest supporters, as was also Capt. Powers, of Shutesbury.”
1788 Creation of 5 school districts.
1791 Creation of 6 school districts.
1796 one acre purchased for West Cemetery; (Other parcels added in 1858, 1895, and two parcels in 1954.)
1798 Birth of Paul Dillingham Governor of Vermont 1865-1866.
1806 Second and still standing town pound was built.
1807 Voted to have swine run on the common being yoked and ringed as the law directs.
1808 Land purchased for the Locks Village cemetery
First public Library established in Shutesbury and housed in a single bookcase.
1811 (Article 11) “Voted to pay a bounty on Wildcats (viz) 2 dollars per head for full grown ones and 1 dollar apiece for young ones which shall be caught within the Town of Shutesbury.”
1811 (Article 15) “Voted to raise a bounty on crows viz one shilling each for old ones and six pence for young ones.”
1811 First public library established
“Shutesbury protested against the War of 1812, and sent William Ward as a delegate to the Northampton anti-war convention.”
1815 Birth of Ithmar Conkey: Who later (while not living in Shutesbury) composed the tune “Rathbun” published in 1851 and used for the adoring words of “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”.
1823 Land purchased from Mr. Wheelock for the Pratt Corner Cemetery.
1827 Federated Church built (now called Community Church)
"hub for town events"?
1829 Town Hall/Meeting House built (Actually called “Town House” probably to differentiate it from the “Meeting house” which its use replaced.)
1832 John Brown of Boston (formerly of Shutesbury) presents Shutesbury with 100 books.
1836 First Congregational Church built (Now a residential home at 16 Lakeview Road.)
1837 Guide post (still standing on town common corner) built by Lorin Briggs.
1838 (Sample of bell-ringing vote) “Voted to put up the ringing of the Meeting House bell to the lowest bidder to be rung on Sundays at 9 o’clock and half past ten in the forenoon and for the afternoon meeting also for funerals and town meetings. It was struck off to Asa Leonard for four dollars and twenty cents, he being the lowest bidder.”
1839 “Voted to get a hearse, voted to get a Grave Cloth. Voted to choose an agent to get a hearse and grave cloth. Voted and chose Joseph Adams agent.
1851 Methodist church built in Locks Village. (884 Wendell Road)
1858 Hearse House built.
1881 Voted to discontinue Carver Road.
1882 Annual Town Meeting: Passed article to ask Legislature to extend to women who are citizens the right to hold town offices and to vote in town affairs on the same terms as male citizens.
November 7, 1882 – special town meeting:
Article 2: Voted to sell the Schoolhouse near Locks Village.
Article 3: Voted to discontinue Briggs Road.
Article 5: Passed article to buy road scraper for highway department.
April 2, 1883 – Annual Town Meeting approved actions.
Article 8: Selectmen to take up purchase of road scrapers for highway department
Article 14: Agent to see what action the town will take in regard to the several cemeteries. Those who are able to pay do so and have those who are not able have the town pay for doing it.
Article 17: Remove all persons receiving support from the town to the Almshouse.
April 25, 1883 Approved doings of a Meeting.
Article 3: Voted to adopt truancy By-Law
May 6,1893, Permission granted to American Telephone and Telegraph Company of Massachusetts to construct, operate and maintain a line of poles and wires, with the necessary fixtures, thru town. wire height of 20 feet, Shutesbury to be saved harmless.
1884 New Cong. Church built
1911 Destroyed by fire
April 2. 1894 Annual Town Meeting
Article 10: Voted to elect a Board of Library Trustees and appropriate the money necessary to secure the gift of One hundred dollars’ worth of books from the State for a free Public Library.
Article 14: Voted to have thirty weeks schooling the ensuing year.
Article 15: Voted to enlarge the Cemetery near the Hearse House.
Article 16: Voted to paint the Town House.
Article 17: Voted to reset the stones in the several Cemeteries of the Town, and voted Newton Crossman as agent to see to the matter.
Article 18: Voted to accept the law necessary to secure a Free Library.
April 3, 1894, Fire recorded, occupants perished. Evi and Augusta Twichell.
June 11, 1894: Certificate to Free Public Library Commission. Board of Library trustees William Hemenway, Moses Wood, Charles Matthews. Room in Townhouse to hold books presented by State and Librarian chosen.
1894 Town library opens in Meeting House
June 19, 1894: Fire destroys dwelling owned by Sylvester Haskins and occupied by Albert and Sidney Pratt
April 1, 1895 annual Town Meeting
Article 10: Voted thanks to Miss Mary L. Clark for services as librarian the past year.
Article 14: Voted not to have a Superintendent of Schools
Article 15: Voted not to appropriate money for temperance people to use in temperance work.
April 27, 1895 Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 3: Voted to dig a well in the cemetery.
November 5, 1895 State Election results:
Is it expedient that municipal suffrage be granted to women? Men – yes 10, no 37, blanks 17. Women – yes 6. (6 women voted)
March 11, 1896 Town Meeting approved actions
Article 2: Selectmen instructed to use McTammany voting machine in the election of the town offices for the year 1896.
April 6, 1896 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Voters express in a rising vote their thanks to Mirick N. Spear of Amherst for the large gift of books to the Free Public Library.
Article 14: Voted to choose a committee to build a tramp house.
Article 15: Voted to authorize the Library Trustees to make such provisions for safety and improvements as are needed upon the platform on which the new Bookcases are to be placed.
April 5, 1897 Annual Town Meeting
Article 15: discontinue road leading from the main road near the residence of Joseph Haskins east to land of Marcus Morrison.
April 3, 1899 Annual Town Meeting
Article 13: Voted to discontinue the Road leading from a point where it intersects with the County Road near New Salem town line and leads to Macedonia so called.
April 2, 1900:
Article 14: Accepted the bequest of Mirick N. Spear of Amherst whose will bequeathed the sum of fifteen hundred dollars for the erection of a Memorial Library Building to be called the M.N. Spear Memorial Building.
Article 17: Discontinue the Road leading from Pratt Corner at a point near the School House running in a southeasterly direction to Pelham town line. (Fales Road)
Article 19: Voted to establish a town seal.
Article 18: Voted to “pass” article establishing a Superintendent of Schools
March 1, 1901: Discontinue Macedonia Road.
April 7, 1902 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 8: Extract from copy from Will of Mirick N. Spear, at the Probate Office, Northampton, MA copied Dec 12, 1901. Voted the sum is sufficient, voted to build a library building under the provisions of said will, voted to choose a committee to select and procure a site, and voted to build such building.
1902 Spear Library building completed.
April 6, 1903 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 12: Voted 32 weeks schooling.
Article 15: Voted to discontinue road leading westerly from Pelham and Shutesbury town line to where it intersects with the road leading from Pratt Corner School House. (Same as 1900 Art. 17 vote???)
July 5, 1904 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Voted to discontinue road that connects with a road leading from Shutesbury to Pelham by the house of Ira Leonard and John Bacon running westerly by the house formerly owned by Jonas Pratt (West Pelham Road) to the road that leads from Leverett town line and passes by the house of Horace Pratt and southerly by Pratt corner School House to Amherst.
April 3, 1905 Annual Town Meeting
Article 17: Voted to build some horse sheds on the common.
April 2, 1906 Annual Town Meeting
Article 12: Voted to buy a road scraper for $300
December 22, 1906 Petition New England Telephone & Telegraph Co. of Mass
for a location of its poles and wires via Amherst-Shutesbury Road from Amherst Town Line to the residence of Milo LaFogg, via the residence of Rufus Fitts and Harry W. Fitts, Branch Road From the Amherst-Shutesbury Road to the residence of Harry Crossman.
January 5, 1907 Permit of Selectmen:
Voted permission to New England T&T Co. of Mass to erect poles along Amherst-Shutesbury road as petitioned on December 22, 1906.
August 15, 1905 permit to Highland Telephone Company to erect poles and wires.
Cooleyville to Amherst from New Salem town line to Town line of Leverett.
From Shutesbury center north to Town Line of Wendell.
New Boston road west on the road to Montague to Leverett town line.
From turn near Chas. Pratt’s south to house of Cornwell
April 6, 1908 Annual Town Meeting
Article 13: Voted to sell the schoolhouse in the southeast part of town.
April 3, 1911 – Annual Town Meeting
Article 7: Voted $50 for a public celebration of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town and to leave the money in the hands of the Selectmen.
Article 13: Voted $100 for purchase of fire extinguishers.
April 1, 1912 – Annual Town Meeting
Article 7: Accept provisions of law relative to election, duties and powers of a board of Cemetery Commissioners.
Article 8: Accept use of school halls for other than school purposes.
Article 9: $150 Erect horse shed on the common.
March 16, 1914: Annual Town Meeting
Article 16: Voted to purchase the land on which the Spear Library building stands (tract containing about one-fifth of an acre}, if it costs less than fifty dollars. Authorize the Selectmen to make a contract for the purchase of the land and to draw an order on the Town Treasurer to pay for the same.
February 1, 1915: Annual Town Meeting
Article 13; Voted not to appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of making repairs or permanent improvements and alterations of the Center school building with a view to consolidating and partially grading the Center and West schools.
February 7, 1916 Annual Town Meeting approved actions
Article 12: Sell portion of the town farm. Voted that the proceeds be held in trust by the Town Treasurer for the purchase of another farm until town votes to appropriate said money for other purposes.
Article 13: Purchase two-horse road scraper or ditcher and expend farm funds.
May 1, 1917 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Take by eminent domain the tract of land owned by Eliza H. Leline, commonly known as the “Store Lot” for school purposes and appropriate $70 therefore.
November 6, 1917: State Constitutional Amendments vote:
Amendment 1 provides for absentee balloting
Amendment 2 provides for free exercise of religion
Amendment 3 provides for distribution, at reasonable rates and in time of war, emergency or distress, food, shelter, and other necessities.
June 29, 1918: Letter from Director of Bureau of Statistics, Boston, to Town Clerk:
Designating Clarence Mellen to act as agent for the registration of the unemployed in town, and asks for his office location so that persons who may make inquiry of his name and office address. Sites “An act to provide that male residents between the ages of eighteen and fifty years shall engage in useful occupation during the present war”
August 24, 1918: Special town meeting approved actions.
Article 4: discontinue Rockwood Hill road
Article 5: discontinue Deacon Briggs saw-mill road. This is the road leading from the Town Farm-Pelham road easterly to the Enfield road at a point near the former residence of George A. Berry.
September 12, 1918: Military Registrants for World War Service.
John Rider, Walter Tenney, Nicholas Beck, Nathan Hunting, George Zembruski, Berglund, Mellon, Fritz Johnson, John Zaliski, Ralph Pratt, Daniel Murawski, John Plaza, Charles Penney, Harry Kurwacy, Harry Fitts, John Spear, Herbert Gross.
October 19, 1918: Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 2: Voted that the town build, complete and accept an addition to the Centre school building now under construction and appropriate a sum of money not to exceed $350.
February 2, 1920: Annual Town Meeting
Article 20: Voted to establish a union school, when necessary, with the town of Pelham to accommodate pupils living in contiguous portions of Pelham and Shutesbury.
February 7, 1921: Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
A vote of appreciation of and thanks for her work in beautifying the roadsides with flowers near her home was extended to Miss Jennie S. Reed.
A note of thanks was extended to the Shutesbury Grange for their gifts of furniture, lamps, etc. to the town.
February 5, 1923: Annual Town Meeting
Authorize selectmen to keep roofs in repair at the Town Farm until sold.
Article 22: voted money for erection of a small building near the town hall to be used for general purposes.
February 4, 1924: Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 17: Voted setting out of shade trees on the Common
Article 20: Voted to move the town farm barn to center of the town, the same to be rebuilt and used for storage purposes.
Article 21: Voted to sell the saw-log timber on that part of the Town Farm situated on the easterly side of the Town Farm Road, at auction sale, the proceeds to be held for reforestation purposes.
November 4, 1924: State Election results:
Articles of Amendment to the Constitution:
Striking out the word “male”
No person shall be deemed to be ineligible to hold state, county or municipal office by reason of sex.
Accept retention of the daylight saving law. No
Congress to have power to limit the labor of persons under 18. No
February 1, 1926: Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 16: Voted to close the road leading from the New Boston Road northwesterly to a point near the John Reynolds place. (Freeman Road)
Article 17: Voted to accept report of Library Trustees in relation to the placing of a tablet on the M.N. Spear Memorial Library - $15.
February 7, 1927 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Meeting adjourned because of death of Katherine L Hunting. Also noted death of Henry M. Hunting and absence of Treasurer Lucy M. Hunting.
February 14, 1927 ATM continued:
Article 7: Voted to keep all roads in town open for auto traffic during the winter months.
Article 16: Voted to pay the Congregational Church and Society the accrued interest in the Ministerial Fund for the twenty six years 1900-1925 at the rate of $40 per year. Money to be taken from sale of timber from the Town Farm.
Article 17: Voted construction of a fire proof vault room and the townhouse.
Article 20: Vote of sympathy to the Swift River Towns for them in their compulsory abandonment of their homes because of proposed flooding. Extend invitation to establish new homes in our community.
1927 Quabbin Reservoir begun
1946 Filled to capacity
September 14, 1929: Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Voted to contract with New Salem Electric Company for 15 street lights
Article 4: Voted to wire the Town Hall and Library and Center School for electric lights. Appropriated $200.
1930 Electricity comes to town
February 3, 1930: Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 10: Authorized Selectmen to sell and deed the tract of land in the southwest part of the town sold the Inhabitants of the South West School District by John Wheelock, on which the so called Pratt Corner schoolhouse now stands
Article 17: Appropriate $117.07 surplus War Bonus fund now held by the town for or towards a World War Soldier’s memorial in connection with a new town vault.
September 3, 1930: Relocation of a part of the East Leverett Road at Pratts Corner because of new dam and reservoir of Amherst water level. Affidavit of Cady R. Elder as to the posting of the Copies of the Rules and Regulations of the Department of Public Health with reference to the pollution and sanitary protection of the Waters of the Amherst Water Company in the Town of Shutesbury used as a source of water supply by the Amherst Water Company. Maps are in large black plan book in Town Hall.
February 21, 1931 Annual Meeting:
Article 13: Voted to purchase a small tract of land adjoining the present town hall lot on the northerly, westerly, southerly and easterly sides, to be used as an addition to the town hall property.
Article 14: Appoint a committee to take charge of construction of a town vault at the townhouse.
Article 15: Appropriate $117.07 surplus War Bonus Fund towards a World War Soldiers’ Memorial.
February 1, 1932 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 14: Voted $50 for completion of town record vault.
Article 16: Voted to sell the South Schoolhouse.
February 6, 1933 - Annual Town Meeting
Article 10: Voted $1000 to be added to state and county allotments under Chapter 90 for regarding, resurfacing, and tarring the Leverett road from the lower end of the 1932 contract to the Leverett line, using any balance on the Wendell road for the same purpose.
May 15, 1933 Special Town Meeting:
Article 2: Voted $1000 for purchase of new truck. Voted that the trucks we purchase have a hydraulic dump.
September 13, 1933 Special Town Meeting:
Article 2: Voted to sell to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through its Metropolitan District Water Supply Commission, the parcel of land known as the Town Farm consisting of 100 acres of land, more or less, for $3600.
February 5, 1934 Annual Town Meeting:
Article 14: $450 for purchase of snow plow to attach to town truck (GMC)
Article 15: $250 for snow fence
Article 16: Authorize the Selectman to contract with the Gardner Electric Light Co. for the installation and maintenance of three street lights at Lake Wyola and appropriate the sum of $45.
Article 17: voted to deposit $3600 from sale of Town Farm.
Article 18: Appropriate $75 for purchase of a new ballot box.
August 27, 1934 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: $500 for purchase of new road grader.
Article 3: Discontinue that portion of Cromwell Road leading from the intersection of said road with the new Metropolitan District Water Supply Commission highway southerly to its intersection with the Prescott Road.
February 4, 1935 Annual Town Meeting
Article 15: voted to continue plowing snow on the new state highway (Daniel Shays) the rest of the winter.
Article 18: Voted the surplus War Bonus money ($117.07) and an appropriation of $82.93 from free cash for a World War Soldiers Memorial to be erected on the town common. Committee of 5 were Joseph P. Provost, John Rehorka, Jr., Alfred J. Reed, Nathan J. Hunting, Clarence N. Mellen.
Article 22: Article did not pass to close the road across the southwesterly part of the Common leading southeasterly from the Wendell to Cooleyville road.
Article 23: Voted to close or repair the road leading northerly across the easterly side of the common.
Article 26: Voted to build a ladie’s rest room at the townhouse, or make other changes in the building .
Article 27: Appoint group to do all things reasonable to insure the building of a first class connecting road between Shutesbury Centre and the Daniel Shays highway, if possible with no cost to the town and that citizens so petition the County Commissioners and Department of Public Works for such highway.
Article 28: Discontinue that portion of the Cromwell road described.
Article 29: Accept as a town way a road, as recently laid out which leads northerly from the new state highway to a point in the present Cromwell road, so called.
Article 30: Appoint committee to look into buying land, building a new schoolhouse.
Note Nils Malmquist deceased.
August 30, 1935 special town meeting approved actions;
Article 3: contract with Gardner Electric Light Company for installation of 3 lights at Lake Wyola
October 14, 1935 special town meeting
Article 3: purchase tract for machinery building from Walter Jones – Haskins lot on North side of Leverett Road. Voted NO
Article 4: vote to erect building to house machinery
Article 5: release title to South school tract of land and building. $200 private sale
November 29, 1935 special town meeting
Article 3: purchase tract of land – 2.25 acres – from Walter C. Jones (except 75 feet) to erect fire and highway building. Appropriate $100 from free cash.
Director of Agriculture: Erik J. Norell
Article 13: take the Centre Cemetery lot for a school playground.
Article 14: appropriate funds to improve water supply and toilet facilities at the Centre school.
Article 16: Build a ladies rest room at the Townhouse for $200.
Article 21: $200 for steel flag pole with concrete foundation.
February 1, 1937 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 13: voted to pay bounty of 25cents each on hedgehogs.
Article 14: voted $400 for celebration of 200th anniversary.
Article 16: voted $1000 for forest fire engine pump, one wye, two nozzles, suction strainer, 24 feet of suction hose and 1000 to 1500 feet of hose.
June 28, 1937 special town meeting approved actions;
Article 4: appropriate $60 to rebuild six rods of stone wall on front of the Centre Cemetery.
Article 5: voted to remove the horse sheds from the town common to the town lot on Leverett Road and rebuilding for storing fire equipment and other town property.
Article 6: repair and rebind the old Bible presented the town by Amelia Bernard - $25
Article 7: appropriate additional $200 for publishing a souvenir booklet in connection with the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the settlement of the town.
Article 8: $25 to improve ventilation of town vault.
SEPTEMBER 6, 1937
200TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Founding of “Roadtown”
PROGRAM OF THE DAY
A pageant of Shutesbury written out in 8 episodes and list of participants included here.
Poem: Past, Present and Future by Minor A. Haskell
December 20, 1937 special town meeting approved actions:
Article 3: appropriate funds for expense of rebuilding of wall by land of Ernest Thrasher, in lieu of land damage, in connection with the relocation of the Locks Pond road.
February 7, 1938 Annual Town Meeting :
Article 12: Voted to accept chapter 187 of the Acts of 1937, entitled “An Act Authorizing the Town of Shutesbury to use all or Any Part of Centre Cemetery and a Certain Way in said Town for School and School Yard Purposes”. Town to exhume and re-inter in other suitable burial places the remains of such bodies interred in the part of said cemetery taken.
Article 13: Appropriate for school and school yard purposes all of the Centre Cemetery, so called, excepting the northeasterly portion.
Article 14: Discontinue as a town way road leading from the Leverett road to the Centre Cemetery and appropriate the same for school purposes.
Article 15: Paint townhouse, purchase a new circulating heater for the hall and make improvements to fit the town hall to be used as a community centre. ($250)
Article 18: Addition to town shed. ($500)
July 24, 1939 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 3: release all right, title and interest of the Town of Shutesbury in tract of land on which the South school building stands, together with buildings thereon, at private sale for $200.
December 16, 1950 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Selectmen gave notice that they propose to lay out as Town Ways all of the roads now existing on the Town Common.
February 3, 1941 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 14: dig well on town property
Article 15: accept roads as laid out around town common and record description in Highway Record Book.
February 1, 1943 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 13: voted to erect a second World War Honor Roll, temporary.
Article 14: voted $250 for care of shade trees because of damage from recent ice storm.
Article 15: discontinue and abandon Town Farm Place Road, so called, leading from the Town Farm Road.
Letters read from boys in the service.
July 11, 1944 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 8: voted to discontinue, and abandon, northerly end of the Town Farm Road from the intersection with the Prescott Road southerly to the intersection of said Town Farm Road with the middle line of the proposed new location of the Prescott Road.
Article 9: voted to discontinue and abandon John Pratt Road.
February 2, 1948 Annual Town Meeting
Article 16: Purchase for school purposes land belonging to Sargent and Evelyn H. Russell..a tract of two acres south of and adjoining the present Center School property and appropriate $250.
Article 17: Voted $3500 for architect fees for a 2 room school building.
Article 18: Choose a School Building committee
Elected Officers: Clark, H.Dihlmann Jr., Thayer, Sawin, Tenney, Carey, V and H Dihlmann, Hunting, School Building Committee members
May 22, 1948 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: purchase additional 3/8 acre for school for $50.
Article 3: voted $75 to survey land for school grounds
June 4. 1949 special town meeting approved actions:
Article 2: $51,000 to construct and equip a school building
July 23, 1949 special town meeting approved actions:
Article 3; raise $56,000 for school building
November 19, 1949 special town meeting
Article 4: discontinue for cemetery purposes and appropriate for school all that portion of the Centre Cemetery not so discontinued by vote of Feb. 7, 1938.
February 11, 1950 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 15: Voted to authorize sale of old Centre School building at public auction
February 10, 1951 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 14; Set up special committee to investigate site for town dump.
Article 17: Voted to contact State authorities on traffic sign location, methods of controlling traffic, cost and enforcement.
Article 18: Voted to post warrants for meeting at Townhouse, Post Office, and on bulletin board at intersection of Locks Pond and Lake View roads.
May 5, 1951 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 4: Voted to purchase from Ethan Howard, Jr. for a town dump the tract of land on the northerly side of the Jennison Road, east from the Locks Village Church.
Article 7: accept provisions of General Laws relating to the establishment of a Fire Department, appoint a chief and other included matters.
July 7, 1951 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Rescind vote to purchase land for town dump.
Article 3: Voted to purchase a 1935 Reo Fire Truck.
August 2, 1951 special Town Meeting approved actions;
Article 4: Refer Town Dump question to State Board of Health
Article 5: $1000 for construction of building to house heating unit for protection of fire equipment.
February 9, 1952 Annual Town Meeting approved actions;
Article 15: Selectmen investigate site for Town Dump
April 29, 1952 special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Selectmen and Fire Chief to investigate purchasing land offered by David Kolasinski, Walter Jones, and other sites for a town dump within 30 days.
Article 3: Honor Roll structure be painted white, two coats, and name slots be painted and re-lettered and re-arranged.
December 29, 1952 special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Report from town dump committee that each avenue of approach has met with failure, but investigation will continue.
February 14, 1953 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 16: Voted Board of Cemetery Commissioners to take over for cemetery purposes the private cemetery westerly from the West Cemetery where Henry, Stetson, Clark, Hemenway, Haskins, Atkins and others are buried.
Article 17: $75 to replace headstone for Adams family in Pratt Corner Cemetery
February 13, 1954 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 17: $75 for landscaping and maintaining town common
Article 26: Take by eminent domain the Luther Henry Tomb yard for public cemetery.
September 4, 1954 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 3: Appoint committee to serve on Shutesbury Regional School District Planning Board.
Article 7: Purchase land owned by Bragg for cemetery purposes.
Article 8: Purchase land owned by Melanson for cemetery purposes
1951
2/10/1951
Article 14: Investigate land for a town dump
5/5/1951
Article 4: Purchase land for Town Dump (rescinded 7/7/51)
Article 7: Establish fire department IAW Chapter 58 Sections 42-44
1954
2/13/1954
Article 26: Take private cemetery by eminent domain
9/4/1954
Article 7 & 8: Purchase land to expand West Cemetery
12/1/1954
Article 3: Voted to submit to join Amherst/Pelham Regional District
1955
2/12/1955
Article 4: Ratified, adopted and confirmed to join Regional School district
1956
2/11/1956
Article 15: establish Police Department IAW MGL Chapter 41 Section 97A
1958
2/8/1958
Article 14: Establish Planning and Zoning Board
1959
2/14/1959
Article 16: Establish a recreation board IAW Chapter 45 Section 14 of MGL
1961
02/11/1961
Article 16: Bylaw stripping land of soil and loam
Article 20: Town dump land by eminent domain
Article 23: Discontinuance of roads
09/08/1961
Article 2: Rescind 2/11/61 article 20 vote
1962
02/10/1962
Article 13: Purchase fire truck
Article 19: Junk Dealer license IAW Chapter 140 Section 54 MGL
05/12/1962
Article 8: Accept donation of land next to ball field for recreation
1963
02/09/1963
Article 21: Quorum of nine
12/21/1963
Article 2: Fire hydrant on Leverett Road
1964
10/26/64
Article 5: Conservation Commission established IAW Chapter 40 Section 8C MGL
1966
2/12/1966
Article 15: Dam and water rights acquired for Lake Wyola
Article 17: Signs bylaw
Article 18: Zoning bylaw amendment
Article 19: Building Code bylaw
Article 20: Unregistered Motor Vehicle bylaw
7/7/1966
Article 7: Land taking under Lake Wyola
1967
2/11/1967
Article 14: Rescind 2/12/1966 Article 15
Article 15: Regional School District amendment
Article 17: Sign bylaw amendment
Article 18: Highway truck purchase
10/3/1967
Article 5: School Committee number increase to 5
1968
2/10/1968
Article 14: Regional School District amendment
6/4/1968
Article 3: Town Hall land expansion for septic (Wendell Rd Town Hall)
Article 4: Town Hall land expansion for septic (Wendell Rd Town Hall)
Article 7: Hydrant on Cooleyville Road pending easements
12/30/1968
Article 3: Hydrant accept land and right of way for Cooleyville hydrant
Article 4: Hydrant accept land and right of way for Cooleyville
Article 7: Finance Committee established bylaw IAW MGL
1969
2/8/1969
Article 21: Town Meeting date changed to 4th Saturday in February
4/1/1969
Article 4: Fire Truck purchase
12/30/1969
Article 1: Weatherwood Road accepted by Town
1972
4/4/1972
Article 2: New School acquire land 23 West Pelham Road
5/23/1972
Article 1: New School construction funded -23 West Pelham Road.
11/28/1972
Article 3: Board of Health established
1973
February 3, 1973 – vote to elect three selectmen: one for three weeks – Brian Payne, one for one year – Stephen Arons and one for two years – Gretchen Fanslow!
02/24/73 – Article 14 Defeated town joining Franklin County Tech District.
Article 16 – Committee appointed to recommend what to do with Cooleyville Rd. elementary school upon opening of new elementary school on West Pelham RD.
Article 22 – voted to amend by bylaw the date of the Annual Town Meeting to the first Saturday in May.
May 5, 1973 Voted 47 yes, (10 no) to establish a plan of group life insurance, group accidental death dismemberment insurance, and group general or blanket hospital, surgical, and medical and other health insurance for persons in the service of the town and their departments.
6/19/73 Art. 3 change tax collector term from one to three years.
Article 8 – boating speed limits set at Lake Wyola.
10/30/73
Article 7 Voted to establish the council on aging.
Article 8 – “Omnibus Roads” Voted to discontinue all public ways except…
Article 9 Voted to petition the county commissioners to discontinue Horse Hill RD.
1974
02/26/74
Voted to establish the Shutesbury Historical Commission.
05/04/74
Article 7 voted to use the old school one year as a community center and evaluate cost of doing so for review of 1975 town meeting.
Article 15 voted bylaw for disposal of town owned personal property.
Article 17 – Voted to oppose construction of the Montague Nuclear power plant.
10/08/74
Article 4 voted storage of gasoline bylaw passed.
1976
06/21/76
Article 5 voted $100 for Nathan Hunting plaque in Town Hall
Article 9 voted continued rubbish pick-up by private contractor, committee to report following year on advisability of buying town rubbish truck.
11/15/76
Article 1 voted artesian well at fire department with common use by deLesdernier residence.
1977
03/14/77
Article 5 voted $6,000 for new boiler for community center.
Article 10 voted to establish an Energy Conservation Commission for the purpose of studying and recommending energy conservation policies to the town and its citizens,
Article 11 voted resolution to support fiscal home rule for Franklin County.
November 17, 1977
Election cancelled by Selectmen because of nomination paper irregularities.
1978
05/06/78
Article 10 voted funds for schematic drawings for a fire station.
1979
05/19/79
Article 11 voted to allow a non-profit cemetery on Leverett Rd. (Jewish Cemetery)
Article 14 voted indemnification insurance coverage for present and future town officials and employees.
1980
03/24/80
Article 6 voted the town construct a salt shed adjacent to the highway garage, to be funded by a state grant.
05/03/80
Article 13 voted to limit eligibility for health insurance to those officials working 20 or more hours per week.
10/27/80
Article 2 voted to plow the roads currently plowed at Lake Wyola
Article 3 report of the radical alternatives study committee
Article 4 Report of committee studying water resources for fire fighting was accepted.
1981
06/13/81
Article 6 voted the town place town owned lands associated with discontinued roads under the control of the conservation commission.
Article 14 voted to authorize Selectmen to sell property not deemed needed by the town:
Section 69 and section 80…
Article 20 committee appointed to refer to the matter of size of internal combustion engines on Lake Wyola
09/30/81
Article 1 Unanimously approved to amend zoning bylaws by adding to section III Radioactive Waste disposal/storage…
Article 2 Received report of Lake Wyola study committee effect of motor boats on Lake Wyola.
Article 3 Adopt ordinance regulating use of motor boats at Lake Wyola.
11/19/81
Article 4 Voted town accept any money from county toward construction of recycling shed.
Article 3: accept MGL Chapter 59 § 5, clause 41C elderly homeowners tax exemption
Article 4: accept MGL Chapter 59 § 5, Clause 17D tax exemption for surviving spouse, minors or persons over 70.
Article 6: Fire truck purchase
Article 14: Adopt non-zoning Wetlands Protection Bylaw
Article 16: Curb-cut bylaw
Article 1: ….and Article 1 of Special Town Meeting of October 21, 1986.
February 10, 1987 special town meeting voted to increase Board of Health from 3 to 5 members.
1986
October 21, 1986 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 2: increase Planning Board from 5 to 7 members.
Article 3: increase School committee from 3 to 5 members.
May 3, 1986 Annual Town Election Results:
May 3, 1986 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 10: Makes treasurer appointed
Article 11: Makes tax collector appointed
Article 13: accepts Martin Luther King Day as a holiday.
Article 16: accepts bylaw making annual town meeting warrants due 1990
August 22, 1990 Special Town Meeting approved actions;
Article 3: Discontinue Rockwood Hill Road
Article 4: Discontinue town roads supplanted by county highways.
June 21, 1990 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 1: Mutual Aid program for Police Departments
Article 2: Eminent Domain taking of land underwater at Lake Wyola of Humphry.
Article 3: Eminent Domain taking of land underwater at Lake Wyola of Watson.
Article 4: Accept gifts underwater portions of described lots.
June 2, 1990 Second Session Town Meeting, approved actions:
$10,000 free cash to Lake Wyola dam
$10,736 free cash to computer software, pickup and land purchase.
May 15, 1990 Name changes of lake roads go into effect.
May 5, 1990 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 12: Voted to amend zoning bylaw to include Lake Wyola/Sawmill River watershed protection district. Disapproved by attorney general.
November 26, 1990 letter from AG disapproving May 5, 1990 amendments to zoning by-laws
Article 13: Voted to discontinue Town Common Road from Meeting House to Cooleyville.
1989
November 18, 1989 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
$3,150,000 appropriated for elementary school renovation.
October 3, 1989 Special Town meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Rescind vote of 1990 ATM appropriating $8,100 for highway shed.
Article 8: Repair dam at Town fire pond located behind Jean Miller’s house at 52 Leverett Road
August 9, 1989 Special Town meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Purchase of Rosta and Gang property authorized May 7, 1988 Article 19 vote.
Article 3: Vote bylaw concerning persons and motor boats at Lake Wyola.
June 15, 1989 Special Town meeting approved actions:
Article 2: Non-criminal disposition
Article 3: False alarm bylaw
Article 4: Noise bylaw
May 6, 1989 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 4: Accept provisions of MGL Chapter 41 Section 25 appoint Assessors
Article 5: Transfer Shutesbury Old Home Day account to Historical Commission Account.
Article 17: Discontinue Cross Common Road
1988
June 4, 1988 Annual meeting reconvened
Article 1: Accept provisions of MGL Chapter 71 Section 40 pay teachers not less than $20,000.
Article 14: $100,000 for architectural services for Elementary School
May 14, 1988 ballot prop 2 ½ for school, highway shed and fire truck
May 7, 1988 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 6: Five-year average for regional school assessment
Article 7: Authorize Shutesbury to participate in Franklin County Regional Dispatch Cooperative.
Article 11: Trash disposal bylaw.
Article 12: Capital Planning under the provisions of MGL Chapter 41 Section 106B
Article 13: Establish Building Committee
Article 15: Establish School Building Committee
November 14, 1987 special election to assess additional $33,100 for FY88.
Yes 114 No 114
September 30, 1987 special town meeting approved actions:
Article 4: Create a non-paid Regional Refuse Disposal Planning committee
Article 5: Petition general court for legislation authorizing recall elections.
Article 6: Establish kindergarten program
Article 8: Rescinded by December 14, 1987 town meeting
May 2, 1987 Town Meeting approved actions:
45 days in advance.
5/4/1991 Town Meeting Approved Actions
Article 6: establish Personnel Board IAW MGL Chapter 31 Sections 108A & 108C
Article 7: Zoning bylaw amendment-seasonal use, growth controls, establish Lake Wyola protection zone, parking, non criminal disposition of zoning violations, criteria for Board of Appeals
Article 11: Abolish Town auditor and establish Town Accountant IAW MGL Chapter 41 Section 55
Article 12: Accept provisions of Chapter 291 of the acts of 1990 Enhanced E-911
10/22/1991 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 1: approve additional $37,800 for school design loan
Article 7: amend Finance Committee bylaw
5/2/1992 Annual Town Meeting approved action
Article 7: establish Regional School District Planning Committee
Article 12: Resolution Conversion from war time to peace time
Letters from Kerry, Kennedy, Olver and White House
Article 13: Release of easements on Round Hills Book 77 Page 93-97
Article 14: Zoning bylaw amended – political signs, wells, required signatures
Article 20: Purchase of highway truck
Article 21: Purchase police cruiser
1992
11/10/1992 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 1: permit construction of Elem. School prior to receipt of SBE funding
Article 2: appropriate $3,150,000 to equip and furnish Elementary School
Article 4: purchase computer hardware and software for town admin. offices
6/13/1993 Special Town Meeting Approved Actions
Article 4: Purchase copier for town hall ($5103)
Article 5: Purchase Police Cruiser ($15,000)
7/13/93 Special Town Meeting results
Article 1: Accept provisions of Chapter 133, section 48 of acts of 1992 early retirement program
May 18, 1993 Special Election results
Question 1: assess additional $51,153 for elementary and regional school, yes
Question 2: exempt from 2.5 amount to pay for fire truck, no
5/1/1993 Annual Town Meeting Approved Actions
Article 5: Purchase of ladder-tanker truck (pending debt exclusion) Failed
Article 6: gas pumps at highway garage
Article 9: amend Zoning bylaw – trailers or mobile homes
Article 10: amend Town Clerk fees
Article 12: Municipal Ambulance Lien IAW provisions of MGL Chapter 40 Section 58 as amended by Chapter 626 of the acts of 1987
Article 14: House number bylaw
Article 19: Lease school and grounds for 1993-1994 school year.
1994
June 7, 1994 Special Election Results
Question 1: 2.5 exemption for high school renovation
5/7/1994 Annual Town Meeting Approved Actions
Article 13: establish Police department IAW provisions of MGL Chapter 42 Section 97A
Article 14: accept provisions of “Education Reform Act of 1993” Chapter 71 Section 83, early retirement incentive program.
Article 15: change Recreation Committee to appointed
Article 19: approved $23,000,000 debt, financing costs Regional High School building.
March 29, 1994 Special Election results
Question 1: exempt from proposition 2.5 bond for reconstructing Junior High roof.
3/15/ 1994 Special Town Meeting Approved Actions
Article 8: clarify Wendell Road porting – intended width considered 50 feet.
5/6/1995 Annual Town Meeting
Article 17: Septic Grant
Article 22: Radioactive waste disposal
10/10/1995 Special town meeting –Article 1 approve incurring debt for reconstructing and equipping Amherst Pelham Regional High School.
Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 authorize borrowing for front-end loader (new and repair), fire truck, Police cruiser, special education contingent on debt exclusion election.
1996
1/20/1996 special town meeting approves borrowing for High School building
4/4/1996 Annual Town Meeting approved actions
Article 5: Planning and Design grant for library
Article 10: Amend Zoning bylaws Section I.C.1 Expansion of Non-conforming Uses
Article 13: Fire Inspections Revolving Fund
Article 14: Electrical Inspections Revolving Fund
Article 15: Plumbing Inspections Revolving Fund
Article 16: Purchase 1 ton Highway Pickup truck
7/2/1996: Special town meeting Article 1 amend bylaw Personal Watercraft on Lake Wyola.
6/2/1996 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 1: Personal Watercraft on Lake Wyola bylaw MGL 131 Section 45
1997
3/11/1997 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 2: change Historical Society to Historical Commission
5/3/1997 Annual Town Meeting approved actions
Article 5: Authorized to borrow up to $90,000 to purchase highway dump truck and plow
Article 6: Free cash $6000 to buy computers for Police Department and Town Collector
Article 7: $600 free cash to purchase fax machine for town hall
Article 8: $1500 free cash to purchase climate control equ. and upgrade electrical in Town Hall
Article 9: $2000 free cash to repair cemetery headstones
Article 13; accept Charter establishing Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Article 15: establishes a revolving Home composting Bin Account
Article 17: establish a Fire Inspections Revolving Fund
Article 18: establish an Electrical Inspections Revolving Fund
Article 19: establish a Plumbing Inspections Revolving Fund
9/23/1997 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 1: increase size of Recreation Committee to 7 members
12/16/1997 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 1: $470 free cash to Arts Lottery Grant to purchase sound system for town events
Article 2: $300 free cash to purchase computer desk materials for library
Article 3: $300 free cash to purchase fax machine for highway department
Article 4: $3000 free cash to purchase and install generator and electrical at highway garage
Article 5: $6000 free cash to remove underground fuel tank and install 2 above ground fuel tanks at fire station
1998
5/2/1998 Annual Town Meeting approved actions
Article 6: accept Denial, suspension or revocation of Local Licenses bylaw IAW MGL chapter 40, section 57 as amended
Article 7: Tree Warden from elected to appointed
Article 11; $18,000 free cash for propane fueled emergency generator for Fire Department
Article 12: $24,000 free cash for purchase of Police Cruiser
Article 13: borrow $80,000 to purchase used road grader
Article 15: $4150 free cash to hire financial assistant for Treasurer/Town Collector
Article 16: $11,400 free cash to purchase computer software for Collector
Article 17: $2000 free cash to purchase computer software for Board of Assessors
Article 18: $7860 free cash to Recycle Hauling Account and authorize curbside pick-up of recyclables.
10/29/1998 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 2: $3000 Free Cash to Computer account Assessor’s office
Article 3: $2500 Free Cash to Computer account laptop for boards and committees
Article 4: $2000 Free Cash to complete Open Space Plan
Article 5: $5000 Free Cash to Cemetery Commission development of West Cemetery
Article 7: Dog Licensing bylaw change license period July 1 to following June 30
Article 9: Resolution to seek lower electric rates in a competitive electricity market
1999
5/1/1999 Annual Town Meeting approved actions
Article 4: re-open the southern part of the former Town Common Road to provide access to and create parking area for the library.
Article 5: approve amendment to Zoning Bylaws on Telecommunications Towers
Article 6: accept MGL Chapter 40 section 57 Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of Local Licenses
Article 8: create position of full-time Town Administrator
Article 9: approve revised 8-step Wage and Salary Plan
Article 11: approve Trash Disposal and Recycling bylaw replacing bylaw of 1989
Article 13: $50,000 Free Cash to continue Building Committee repairs, alterations, renovations
Article 18: $10,350 Free Cash to assessing software
Article 23: $5000 Free Cash to Conservation Trust Fund
Article 25: $2500 Free Cash to erosion control project at Town Beach
5/1/1999 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 1: transfer $4774 Free Cash to purchase water quality testing equipment to be reimbursed 100% by grant from Commonwealth of Massachusetts
12/07/1999 Special Town Meeting approved actions
Article 1: $8,000 Free Cash to renovate and divide Treasurer/Collector and Assessors office
Article 2: amend Dog Licensing and Control Bylaw allowing $5 late fee
Article 6: authorize purchase of property Assessors Map E-3.
Article 7: transfer $60,000 to purchase Assessors Map E-3.
2000
May 6, 2000 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 14: Establish stabilization fund for Amherst-Pelham Regional School District.
Article 15: $15,000Free Cash for Jaws of Life with Leverett.
Article 20: $8,495 from stabilization interest for fire truck, front end loader, grader.
Article 21: $12,966 from stabilization principle on front-end loader.
Article 22: $11,000 Free Cash for Highway Department articulating bucket.
Article 23: $7,000 Free Cash for Elem. School walk-in freezer.
Article 24: $30,000 Free Cash for Fin Com Reserve Fund – district placement.
Article 25: $8,000 Free Cash for hardware, software Elem. School Library.
Article 26: $5,000 Free Cash for Old Town Hall building renovations.
2001
March 13, 2001 Special Town Meeting actions:
Article 2: Massachusetts Community Preservation Act – not approved
May 5, 2001 Annual Town Meeting actions:
Article 6: $6000 matching funds for Historical Preservation Survey Grant
Article 7: Replace “rate of Development” Zoning bylaw with “Town-wide”
Article 8: Amend Chapter 40A§5 Telecommunication bylaw – add personal wireless
Article 29: Approve MCAS resolution.
July 31,2001 Special Town Meeting actions:
Article 1: Lot E-3 placed under control of Shutesbury Conservation Commission.
Article 4: $275,000 borrow for handicapped accessibility Town Hall.
September 25, 2001 Special Town Meeting actions:
Article 2: $9,600 raise and appropriate to digitize town maps.
October 8, 2002 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 4: $7600 for payment to Firefighters/Rescuers on calls
Article 9: establish ad hoc committee for Motor Boat…..Lake Wyola bylaw.
Announcements: Purchase and Sale agreement for lots O-43 and O-48
Farewell reception for Rep. Ellen Story, welcome for Rep. Stephen Kulik.
2003
January 14, 2003 Special Town Meeting results:
Article 1: $23,500 free cash for purchasing O-43 and O-48.
April 8, 2003 Special Town Meeting results:
Article 1: change description of property for lots O43 and O48
May 3, 2003 Annual Town Election:
Question 1: town pays one-half premium costs for retired employee life/health – yes
Question 2: town pays one-half premium costs surviving spouse/ retired employee – yes
Question 3: to require retiree/spouse/dependents enroll in medicare supplement plan offered by town – no
May 3, 2003 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 5: delete “Martin Luther King Holiday” bylaw
Article 6: delete “Paid Holiday” bylaw.
Article 7: delete “Truancy” bylaw.
Article 8: delete “Signs” bylaw.
Article 9: reorganize by-laws
Article 10: Amend Motor Boat and Persons Using Lake Wyola Bylaw.
Article 19: direct officials to consider behind Town Hall for new library.
Article 25: Dissolve FCCIP and contract with FRCOG
Article 27: Authorize Library Revolving Fund.
May 27 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 1: retiree/spouse/dependent required to enroll in medicare supplement plan offered by town.
Article 6: $7882 to match Fire department grant to purchase brush truck body & chassis
Article 7: $10,000 to replace first response vehicle chassis.
Article 10: USA PATRIOT Act
August 12, 2003 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 1: Application for Footprint Roads Pilot Program for LCP Roads
September 23, 2003 Special Town Meeting actions:
Article 1: Funding for Footprint program engineering design work failed.
November 12, 2003 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 1: $166,300 Free Cash for design work for Footprint Program LCP Roads.
2004
Special Town Meeting March 30,2004 actions approved:
Article 1: $3000 Free Cash for safety inspection at Lake Wyola Dam.
May 1, 2004 Annual Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 1: Amend Regional School District agreement, reallocate member towns’
Contributions.
Article 11: Chapter 90 funds to pave portion of Pelham Hill Road.
Article 22: Support Nuclear-Weapons Free World resolution.
August 24, 2004 Special Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 1: $5500 Stabilization to Lake Wyola Dam Management Comm. – dam safety.
September 15, 2004 Special Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 1: Acquire Lot O-32
Article 2: $89,000 Free Cash and borrow $125,000: purchase Lot O-32.
October 12, 2004 Special Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 2: Withdraw motion: Town Master Plan
November 9, 2004 Special Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 1: $29,000 Free Cash for Wyola Dam Project phase 2 engineering.
2005
May 7, 2005 Annual Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 12: Pass over article to share Police Chief with Leverett.
Article 19: Resolution concerning Massachusetts National Guard and War in Iraq.
2006
February 7, 2006 Special Town Meeting actions approved:
Articles 1-9: Chapter 90 funds to eminent domain acquisition of property for LCP road.
Article 10: $12,000 Free Cash to Wyola Dam Project
May 6 Annual Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 4: Longevity Pay Bonus to non-school employees.
Article 12: 250th Anniversary Celebration committee.
Article 13: Name Lake Wyola Dam the Raymond “Red” Moriarty Dam at Lake Wyola.
Article 15: Resolution Concerning Genetically Engineered Crops.
Article 18: $75,000 for library handicap accessibility.
Article 19: Take 31,000 square feet from Town Common for library accessibility project.
August 22, 2006 Special Town Meeting:
Article 1: Repeal Oct.8, 1974 bylaw prohibiting above ground storage of gasoline.
October 17, 2006 Special Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 3: $18,100.22 Free Cash to Hazardous Waste Clean-up Site account.
Article 4: $24,800 Free Cash for above ground Fuel Tank installation.
Article 5; $15,000 Free Cash for Alternative Energy Account – Wind Turbine.
Article 7: $2000 Free Cash to Emergency Management.
Article 8: Feasibility study for expanding/renovating library building.
Question 4: Resolution to end war in Iraq – yes.
2007
May 5, 2007 Special Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 1: $80,000 Stabilization for Wyola Dam Project and lake elevation management.
May 5, 2007 Annual Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 10: C39§23D permit participation in hearing vote if meeting missed.
Article 12: Delete Telecommunication Tower and replace with Wireless Communication
Facilities.
Article 13: Small Wind Energy Systems.
Article 14-16: Pass over new Zoning Bylaws.
Article 17: Revised and updated zoning bylaws to be placed on 2008 ATM warrant.
Article 18: resurface Farrar Road
Article 19: Accept High Point Road as public town road.
Article 24: Approve existing Regional School Agreement for towns’ contributions.
Article 27: Public Accountability for WFCR.
Article 28: Resolution to impeach Bush and Chaney.
October 9, 2007 Special Town Meeting actions approved:
Article 1: Emergency Mutual Aid Agreement
Article 2: STRAP grant to replace Ames Brooks Culvert $125,000.
2008
Article 9: Approve Community Preservation Act
Article 11: Accept High Point Drive as a public town road.
Article 12: Approve existing Amherst Pelham Regional School District Agreement
Article 13; Approve amendment to Section X of Regional Agreement to shift cost of providing transportation to elem. School students from Regional budget to budgets of Elementary School districts served.
Article 16: Amend Zoning Bylaw by deleting and replacing with new Bylaw.
June 10, 2008 Override Election result
Approve $200,000 override. Yes: 193 No: 139
October 21, 2008 Special Town Meeting results
Article 1: Adopt Community Preservation Act Bylaw
Article 2: Approve transfer of $23,000 from Free Cash to Fin Com Reserve – cost of clean up of gasoline contamination at Fire Station
Article 3: Transfer $25,000 from Free Cash to Hazardous Waste Clean-up in anticipation of additional clean-up costs at Fire Station contamination
Article 5: Transfer $150,000 from Stabilization to the Wyola Dam Project
November 4, 2008 Presidential Election
President: Obama, Biden
Senator: Kerry
Representative: Olver
Councillor: Merrigan
Senator in General Court: Rosenberg
Representative in General Court: Kulik
Register of Probate: Merrigan
FRCOG Exec. Council: Banash
Question 1: Eliminate the state personal income tax – no
Question 2: Replace criminal penalties for possession of one oz or less of marijuana – yes
Question 3: Prohibit dog racing in Massachusetts: yes
Question 4: Establishment of Community Preservation Act in Shutesbury – yes
2009
March 24, 2009 Special Town Meeting action
Article 1: Approve replacement of Shutesbury Zoning Map of May 3, 2008 with corrected Zoning Map dated March 24, 2009
May 2, 2009 Annual Town Meeting results
Article 10: $110,000 from Wyola Dam Repair Project to stabilization account.
Article 11: Adopt MGL 82A Section 2 sanctioning the Highway Superintendent as Town’s agent to sign permits for the purpose of creating a trench.
Article 12: Adopt Farm and Forest Commission Bylaw
Article 14: Adopt $5,414,025 town budget
2010 Town Meetings
December 16, 2009 Special Town Meeting
Article 1: Transfer $80,000 from free cash to Fire Station Gasoline Spill account.
Article 2: Adopted Elementary School Resolution Re: Collaboration and Consolidation
May 1, 2010 Annual Town Meeting approved actions:
Article 6: Approve library building project by accepting the preliminary design and authorize Board of Selectmen and/or Library Trustees to apply for any state funds
Article 9: Approved recommendation by Community Preservation Committee
Article 11: Discuss with other Western Mass municipalities – broadband
Article 12: Acknowledge work of 250th Celebration Committee
Article 21: Adopt Winter Use of Lake Wyola Town bylaw in reference to vehicles and persons using lake. Defines “dusk. Establishes fines.
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