Poet's Seat Tower repairs estimated to top $400,000
GREENFIELD — New Greenfield Public Schools Superintendent Carol Kruser attended her first School Committee meeting as she settles into the role, according to a Franklin County Now report, while the town confronts a repair bill exceeding $400,000 for the closed Poet's Seat Tower.
TOWN HALL
Poet's Seat Tower, a longtime local landmark, has remained closed since a May inspection uncovered safety issues, and repair estimates have now climbed above $400,000, per a Franklin County Now report picked up in local Google Alerts. Town officials have not yet indicated a timeline for reopening the tower or how the repairs will be funded.
Separately, drought conditions across western Massachusetts have worsened, with the state's Energy and Environmental Affairs office noting two consecutive years of precipitation loss affecting the region, according to the Franklin County Now report. The item did not specify local restrictions, but the trend signals continued dry conditions for Greenfield and surrounding towns.
Health officials also confirmed West Nile virus has been detected in nearby Deerfield, according to a Franklin County Now report, a development relevant to Franklin County residents as mosquito season continues.
SCHOOLS
New Greenfield Public Schools Superintendent Carol Kruser attended her first School Committee meeting since taking on the role, according to a Franklin County Now report circulated via Google Alerts. Further details of the meeting's agenda or Kruser's remarks were not included in available reporting.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"New Greenfield Superintendent settles into role" — Franklin County Now reports that Superintendent Carol Kruser has begun her tenure and participated in her first School Committee session (read it at https://franklincountynow.com/news/216612-new-greenfield-superintendent-settles-into-role/).
"Poet's Seat Tower repairs could cost over $400K" — Franklin County Now reports the landmark tower has been shuttered since a May inspection flagged safety concerns, with repair costs now estimated above $400,000 (read it at https://franklincountynow.com/news/216612-poets-seat-tower-repairs-could-cost-over-400k/).
"New pavilion to be unveiled at this year's Franklin County Fair" — Franklin County Now reports a new 5,400-square-foot pavilion is set to debut at this year's fair, with construction already underway (read it at https://franklincountynow.com/news/216612-new-pavilion-to-be-unveiled-at-this-years-franklin-county-fair/).
"Greenfield Court coming to Orange for pop-up services" — Franklin County Now reports on plans for pop-up court services, tied to the same fairground pavilion construction noted above (read it at https://franklincountynow.com/news/216612-greenfield-court-coming-to-orange-for-pop-up-services/).
"Drought conditions worsen, two years of precipitation loss" — Franklin County Now reports the state's Energy and Environmental Affairs office says drought is persisting and intensifying across western Massachusetts (read it at https://franklincountynow.com/news/216612-drought-conditions-worsen-two-years-of-precipitation-loss/).
"West Nile virus detected in Deerfield" — Franklin County Now reports health officials have confirmed the virus's presence in the neighboring town (read it at https://franklincountynow.com/news/216612-west-nile-virus-detected-in-deerfield/).