Petersham MA – May 2026
The top news stories in and around Petersham, MA this month highlight community honors, public safety workshops, and a major regional environmental battle.
Community Honors Army Veteran
In early May, the community gathered to honor William “Bill” Berry, Jr., a highly respected Army veteran described as a “true pillar of the Petersham community”. His military funeral on Saturday, May 2, drew an estimated 150 attendees, bringing local residents together to celebrate his decades of local impact and service.
Emergency Communications Planning
On Saturday, May 16, Petersham’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program hosted an Emergency Communications Plan Workshop at the Lower Town Hall. The public event focused on preparing the rural community for severe weather events, specifically mapping out methods to reach residents and coordinate aid when power grids fail and internet infrastructure goes down.
Supreme Judicial Court Wades Into Solar Dispute
A long-running legal battle involving Petersham’s zoning laws reached the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC), highlighting a major statewide debate over green energy versus conservation. The case, Sunpin Energy Services, LLC v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Petersham, centers on the town’s right to protect its natural forests. Petersham previously blocked a proposed 12,000-panel solar array that would require clear-cutting 14 acres of woodland, and the high court’s upcoming decision could set a sweeping precedent for how rural Massachusetts towns manage land use during the global energy transition.
Memorial Day Observances
While nearby Athol modified its traditional routes to end ceremonies at Highland Cemetery, Petersham residents joined in broader North Quabbin region Memorial Day parades and park events honoring fallen service members over the holiday weekend