What type of government does South Hadley have?
South Hadley has a 120-member representative town meeting as its legislative body. Twenty-four town meeting members are elected from each precinct (Precincts A, B, C, D, E). For more information see Town Bylaws Section 204 There is an elected five-member Selectboard and a Town Administrator who is appointed by the Selectboard.
Do all municipal departments fall under the Selectboard?
No. South Hadley has several independently elected boards including the Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Library Board of Trustees, Planning Board, and the Board of Commissioners for the Municipal Light Department. The latter is an elected three-member Municipal Light Board/Electric Light Department known as SHELD located at 85 Main Street. South Hadley has two
separate water and fire districts, independent of the Town. For information on the two districts visit the following departments: Water Dept. District #1, Water Dept.District #2, Fire Dept.District #1, Fire Dept.District #2.
When does town meeting meet?
Second Saturday in May, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Special Town Meetings are scheduled as needed by the Selectboard. Typically, a Special Town Meeting is held in the fall each year on a Tuesday evening beginning at 7:00 p.m. Town Meetings are held in the Auditorium of the Town Hall and are televised on local cable channel 15.
How can I meet with the Selectboard?
Selectboard meetings are scheduled for every first and third Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectboard Meeting Room of the Town Hall. Requests must be made no later than the Thursday before the meeting to appear before the Selectboard. Written material to be included in the Selectboard’s agenda packet must be received by the Selectboard office no later than 1:00 p.m. on the Friday before the meeting. Please note that the Town Administrator handles the day to day activities of the Selectboard office and it may not be necessary for particular issues to be brought before a Selectboard meeting.
You may contact the Selectboard for such requests.
How can I have a matter go before Town Meeting?
Petitions are presented to Selectboard for an article to be placed on the Town Meeting Warrant. See Town Bylaws, Section 300. Please note that articles involving amendments to the Zoning Bylaw or Zoning Map must be referred to the Planning Board for a public hearing and recommendation.
Where can I obtain the Town Bylaws?
Hard copies can be obtained at the Town Clerk’s office for a fee.
Where do I get a burning permit?
At the Building Department. The fee for the season is $10.00. Burning season is from January 15 up until (and including) May 1 each year.
Where do I get a tag sale permit?
At the Building Department. For regulations and fee see Town Bylaws Section 1005.
Who do I talk to regarding a development in Town?
Developments are handled by various permitting authorities. A monthly Development Status Report is posted on the Planning Board webpage. You may wish to start with either the Planning Department or the Building Commissioner.
Traffic/Signage issues – How do I go about getting a traffic sign installed?
The Town has a Traffic Sign Committee that reviews requests and makes recommendations to the Selectboard for action. The Committee does not meet on a regular basis but meetings are scheduled as needed. Please send requests in writing to the Selectboard office or via email at selectboard@southhadley.org.
Are there any employment openings?
Where can I get a trash pickup or recycling schedule and/or landfill stickers?
Where do I obtain birth/marriage/death certificates?
Where do I register to vote?
Where do I go to vote?
When is the Town Election?
The annual town election is held the first Monday in April of each year (see Section 200 of the Town Bylaws). For more information on the election process, visit Town Clerk/Treasurer’s webpage.
Who do I contact regarding a barking dog and or dogs running loose?
Contact the Animal Control Officer who can be reached through the Police Department at 413-538-8231.
Who do I contact regarding parking tickets?
The Veterans’ Service Agent serves at the Town’s Parking Clerk and can be reached via email or at 413-538-5015. The office is located in the basement of the Town Hall.
How can I find an owner of a particular property?
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