EASTHAMPTON — The city is calling for downtown retail businesses and restaurants interested in taking part in its outdoor dining and sale program, hoping to boost economic opportunities.

The program allows for downtown businesses on Main, Union and Cottage streets to apply through the mayor’s office to convert public property, like parking spaces, into outdoor retail and dining areas. Northampton has a similar program, used for spaces such as Strong Avenue.

Mayor Salem Derby said the program was established during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase opportunities for businesses when indoor access was limited, though it has historically only been used by the Silver Spoon Restaurant on Main Street.

“I think it’s important for us. We’re not just doing one-offs for individual businesses, it’s important to make this known,” Derby said.

Derby said he is not anticipating a huge response but will take applications as they come. Eligible business can apply through the mayor’s office, that are reviewed by the police, fire, public works, building and health departments.

All approved businesses are responsible for costs associated with the conversion and must provide concrete barriers or similar materials to separate their space from vehicle traffic for safety. All spaces must also meet American Disability Act (ADA) accessibility requirements, including minimum 36-inch pathways and accessible seating options.

“This program gives our downtown businesses a real opportunity to expand their footprint, draw more customers outside, and create a vibrant street-level atmosphere,” Derby said in a statement. “We want to make it as easy as possible for Easthampton businesses to thrive.”

For more information, visit easthamptonma.gov.

SOUTHAMPTON — The town has received another significant state grant to bring it one step closer to completing design work necessary to connect the Southampton Greenway to the regional Manhan Rail Trail.

The $240,000 awarded by the state’s MassTrails grant program aims to bring the Southampton Greenway project to the 25% design stage. While the percentage suggests otherwise, this would actually nearly finish the design process allowing the town to send the project out for construction bids.

The project seeks to transform a 3.1-mile section of railroad track into a multiuse bike path, spanning from Coleman Road on the border of Easthampton to College Highway (Route 10) by Sheldon’s Ice Cream. The section of defunct rail is part of the more than 80-mile track spanning from Northampton to New Haven, Connecticut, also known as the New Haven & Northampton Canal Greenway.

Select Board Chairperson Christine Fowles said this is another important step to complete the connection between the two cities.

“We’re still working on the design of it and getting ready for construction,” Fowles said. “Hopefully within another year or two we will be able to have a shovel in a ground.”

Construction is slated for July 2028, and is expected to be funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The Massachusetts Transportation Improvement Plan for fiscal year 2029 has allocated roughly $16.2 million for the Greenway, covering construction costs when the time comes, according to Mark Kassis, a member of the Southampton Greenway Committee.

This round of funding from MassTrails builds on four years of awards since 2022, totaling more than $1 million from the program with added Community Preservation Act funds. Most recently, the town received a different $324,000 MassTrails grant last year, totaling more than $500,000 recently awarded for designs.

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Fire Department is hosting a blood drive in partnership with the Baystate Health Blood Donor Program in the midst of a blood shortage in Massachusetts.

The drive will be held on June 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Easthampton fire station located at 32 Payson Ave. People are encouraged to call 413-794-4600 to schedule an appointment but can still show up unplanned.

“There is currently a blood shortage in Massachusetts,” said Fire Chief Christopher Norris in a statement. “A single donation can save multiple lives. Please partner with us and help us address this gap in life safety across the state!”

EASTHAMPTON — The city has been has been awarded $191,000 through the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant Program to increase cybersecurity safety and communication efficiency.

The grant will allow the city to complete its municipal fiber loop, specifically for Water Department infrastructure, connecting critical facilities, including pumps, wells and tanks to the City’s municipal fiber network. Upon completion, the loop will improve reliability, strengthen cybersecurity and reduce long-term communication costs by allowing facilities to communicate over a private network.

“This is a great example of city staff finding grant opportunities, bringing outside funding into Easthampton, and turning it into lasting improvements for the community,” Mayor Salem Derby said in a statement.

The award builds on $500,000 in grant funding secured over the past three years put towards Easthampton’s fiber network, totaling nearly $700,000.

WESTHAMPTON — The town is seeking applications for a vacant, part-time town clerk to provide administrative work related to maintaining the records and implementation of any local, state and federal matters.

The position was posted last month for a 12- to 16-hour a week role, and a biweekly pay of $22,000. The clerk is responsible for maintaining and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of all areas under their jurisdiction, related to managing town documents.

To apply, visit westhamptonma.gov/opportunities.