Leverett crafts center to hold Mudfest extravaganza

LEVERETT - Potters will demonstrate their craft and show others how to make their own pottery this Saturday at the Leverett Crafts and Arts Center on Montague Road.

The event, Mudfest 2012, is described by its organizers as a "Clay Extravaganza." It will include an open house put on by members of Mudpie Potters Community Clay Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Area communities secure energy-efficiency grants

LEVERETT - Four western Massachusetts towns were among those honored by Energy and Environmental Secretary Richard Sullivan in a ceremony at Leverett Town Hall this week for their efforts to reduce energy consumption.

Area briefs

Amherst

BOOK SALE: Thousands of donated used books will be available for purchase on the Town Common at the League of Women Voters' 64th annual book sale this weekend. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Categories include cookbooks, children's books, fiction, history, foreign languages, gardening and sports.

Dakin to honor animal advocates

LEVERETT - Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society is looking for "the most extraordinary animal advocates and animals in the valley."

According to Candice Lash, spokeswoman for the local humane society, Dakin will recognize one adult and one youngster, as well as one animal this fall, to be nominated by community members, for their service or heroic efforts.

Leverett voters easily approve plan for municipal Internet network

LEVERETT - Annual Town Meeting easily approved a proposal to borrow $3.6 million for the design and construction of a high speed municipal Internet network.

To be approved, it needed support from at least two-thirds of those voting in the auditorium of the Leverett Elementary School. The standing-room-only crowd passed the measure 306-33.

Land plan rankles Leverett hunters

Compromise may avert TM dispute

By BEN STORROW Staff Writer

LEVERETT - A proposal to use public money to buy the conservation rights to Teawaddle Hill Farm has erupted in controversy, as hunters here lambasted a plan that would have spent taxpayer dollars but restricted hunting rights on the 154-acre property.

Broadband network, $5.3 million budget on Leverett Town Meeting agenda

LEVERETT - A proposal to borrow $3.6 million to build a high-speed municipal Internet network figures to be another attention-getting issue for voters as they gather for Town Meeting here on Saturday.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. at the elementary school.