Hadley Board of Health Hits $45,000 in Permit Revenue With Months to Spare

HADLEY -- February 12, 2026, Hadley Board of Health reports $45,000 in permit revenue for fiscal 2026, already matching 90 percent of last year's full-year total. The board met by Zoom on February 12 with two of three members present, the third, identified as Margaret, was absent, and heard from Health Director Ben Bilodeau and Administrative Assistant Peter Lohr. Lohr reported all brick-and-mortar food establishments have been permitted for fiscal year 2026 except one on a temporary hiatus, and that late renewers paid a $100 fee "with no pushback whatsoever." The department's informal full-year target is $60,000. Bilodeau disclosed that municipal budget-cut talks are underway but said no staff positions are expected to be eliminated at this time. He also reported two tobacco licensees received underage-sale violation notices in late January, but certified-mail delivery has been stalled in a postal routing loop between Hartford, Springfield, and Hadley, and he plans to notify the businesses in person. The board learned that NEPM has canceled the 2026 Asparagus Festival, with North Hadley Sugar Shack potentially exploring an alternative event in May.