Editor’s note: To mark the start of a new year, the Greenfield Recorder is publishing stories about what Franklin County residents can likely expect to see happening in their towns in 2026.
Residents of North Quabbin communities can expect new hires and progress on key infrastructure projects in 2026.
Orange
Town Administrator Matthew Fortier said residents can expect to see three new influent pumps at the Orange Wastewater Treatment Facility in March and the completed water tower at the Orange Industrial Park in June.
“It’s definitely an interesting year,” he said.
The Selectboard voted in March 2024 to approve emergency borrowing of up to $1.5 million to replace the Orange Wastewater Treatment Facility’s three influent pumps after one failed a few weeks prior. The 21-year-old pump was designed to take in sewage from the facility’s collection system and distribute it throughout the rest of the wastewater system. Fortier said at the time that the wastewater department prevented sewage from entering the Millers River.
Residents voted at a Special Town Meeting in December 2024 to accept land from Seaman Paper, a pulp and paper company at 151 Governor Dukakis Drive, and to accept or take land from Power Fund Partners to enable the water tower’s construction. The Selectboard voted unanimously to enter into a $3.6 million contract with Associated Construction Co. in Hartford, Connecticut, for the project.
Seaman Paper has reportedly been paying exorbitant insurance premiums due to insufficient water capacity. The company enlisted the town’s help, as officials believe a water tower could incentivize other businesses to move into the industrial park. The company committed $790,000 to the project.
An initial $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money was set aside to secure a matching MassWorks grant for the work. In June 2024, Annual Town Meeting voters gave the town permission to borrow up to $1 million if needed. The town also committed its leftover $835,700 ARPA balance, bringing the total ARPA commitment to nearly $1.9 million to reduce potential borrowing.
“I like the way that this year is looking,” Fortier said on Friday. “Both projects are on track and within budget.”
In 2026, the town is also looking to hire a new wastewater superintendent, town accountant, treasurer, assistant town clerk, building commissioner, health agent, and administrative assistant to the town administrator and the Selectboard.
Wendell
The town is starting a new program at the Wendell Recycling and Transfer Station in 2026.
Laurie DiDonato, who chairs the Selectboard, said Wendell received a state Department of Environmental Protection grant to start repairs at 341 New Salem Road.
“They are turning a small room in the barn into a small workshop,” she wrote in an email. “Several people have stepped up to volunteer their skills and knowledge, and teach folks repair skills.”
The Farley Road bridge linking Wendell and Erving is closed because more necessary fixes were discovered during repair work, and the town does not have the money to cover the costs. About $405,000 has been set aside for the project, which is projected to cost about $780,000, and the two towns must explore various avenues to make up the difference.
“We are currently putting together a phased plan to do the more affordable repairs first and hoping we can get more funding from the state to cover the more expensive repairs,” DiDonato said.
New Salem
Emily Hill, the new town coordinator, said 2026 will be a year of transitions for New Salem.
Hill said Matt O’Donnell started as the new fire chief in July and Colin Killay took over as highway superintendent a few weeks ago, while the town continues the search for a new police chief and library director.
“That means every department head will have had turnover,” Hill said.
O’Donnell replaced Joe Cuneo, who had been the New Salem and Wendell fire chief for years, and Killay serves in the position previously held by Aaron Thibeault. Hill said Police Chief John Bonafini has given the town notice that he would like to retire, but will stay on as long as necessary.
The New Salem Public Library is still in need of a director. Hill said the candidate who gets hired will depend on budgeting and how much residents designate for the position’s salary at Annual Town Meeting in the spring. Linda Chatfield is serving as interim director.
“She’s stellar, and we wish she would stay,” Hill said. “She wants to retire closer to her family.”
Hill added that the town has applied to the Cultural Facilities Fund offered by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to help improve and maintain its historical buildings.
Elsewhere in New Salem, the Friends of the Quabbin, the nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to increasing public awareness and appreciation of the Quabbin Reservoir and watershed, in December announced the completion of the stabilization phase of the historic Keystone Bridge at Gate 30. This marks a major step forward in preserving one of the rarest and most significant dry-stone structures in the Quabbin watershed.
The Friends funded the stabilization project, which cost approximately $120,000, and now efforts are turning to replenishing the organization’s funds. Project updates and information on how to donate can be found at friendsofquabbin.org/keystone.