March 1: ‘A Celtic Celebration’

HEATH — Residents can prepare for St. Patrick’s Day with “A Celtic Celebration” at the Heath Free Public Library, located at 18 Jacobs Road, on Saturday, March 1, at 3 p.m.

Attendees can enjoy songs, games, dances and tales from Ireland, Scotland and Wales with award-winning performer Davis Bates. The program will include traditional Celtic songs, sea shanties, ghost stories, sing-alongs and a lesson on how to make music with kitchen spoons.

The performance is sponsored by the Heath Cultural Council and the Friends of the Heath Free Public Library. It is free to attend and recommended for ages 6 and up.

For more information, call the library at 413-337-4934, ext. 007.

Ashfield can call on Regional Special Response Team

ASHFIELD — Beginning March 1, the Ashfield Police Department will be able to call for help from the new Regional Special Response Team, which consists of operators, tactical medics and crisis negotiators from police departments across Franklin County.

Ashfield Police Chief Beth Bezio told the Selectboard on Monday that the new team is being created to formalize years of an unwritten promise between departments to help each other when needed. The team will include members from police departments across the region with special skills and equipment that can be called to assist towns during emergencies that they may be ill-equipped to deal with independently.

The agreement allows the town to get resources, such as the Greenfield Drone Unit, to the scene faster than waiting for special units from Massachusetts State Police, which could come from as far away as Worcester, Bezio said. Calling the team will cost Ashfield nothing, as each town is responsible for covering the costs associated with their department member being on the team, including equipment and overtime costs.

Bezio said maybe one day she will be able to add an officer to the team, but for now, she does not have the staff or resources to do so and is focusing on keeping officers in Ashfield. While she is unable to add a member to the team at this time, she said signing on to the agreement means she can still call for support during an emergency.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the city of Greenfield and the town of Montague have already signed on. Bezio said more towns in the region are expected to join in the coming weeks.

The Selectboard voted 2-1 in favor of signing the agreement, with the dissenting vote coming from member Tom Carter, who said he wanted to hear from other towns about the possibility of creating a regional police department.

Nomination papers for election in Shelburne available starting March 3

SHELBURNE — Nomination papers for this year’s annual town election will be available starting March 3. This year’s ballot includes 13 seats across the various boards and committees.

Nomination papers can be obtained from the Town Clerk’s Office through April 1 and must be returned by 5 p.m. on April 15. The following positions will be on the ballot:

■Selectboard, one seat with a three-year term.

■Assessor, one seat with a three-year term.

■Town clerk for a one-year term.

■Moderator for a one-year term.

■Planning Board, one seat for a five-year term.

■Planning Board, one seat for a one-year unexpired term.

■Shelburne Free Public Library trustees, two seats with three-year terms.

■Recreation Committee, one seat with a five-year term.

■Recreation Committee, one seat for a three-year unexpired term.

■Tree warden for a one-year term.

■Constable for a three-year term.

■Mohawk Trail Regional School District School Committee, one seat for a three-year term.

Shelburne’s town election will be held May 20 at the Cowell Gym. For more information, contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 413-625-0300, ext. 3

Nomination papers available for Colrain’s election

COLRAIN — Anyone who is interested in running for a seat on one of the town’s boards or committees can now pick up nomination papers at the Town Clerk’s Office.

The last day to obtain nomination papers is March 24 at 5 p.m. and the forms are due back to the town clerk by March 25 at 5 p.m.

The following offices and terms will be on the ballot:

■Assessor, three-year term.

■Constable, three-year term.

■Library trustee, two seats with three-year terms.

■Mohawk Trail Regional School District School Committee, three-year term.

■Selectboard, three-year term.

■Town clerk, three-year term.

The annual town election will be held May 13 at Town Hall, 55 Main Road, from noon to 7 p.m. The town clerk’s office hours are Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. or by appointment.