Archive | October, 2021

The new Franklin County Rural Road Guide is available

Staying on top of all of the regulations, standards, guidelines, and funding sources related to the maintenance and improvement of local roadways is a challenge for Towns. To assist with that, the FRCOG Transportation Planning staff have compiled the Franklin County Rural Road Guide, a quick reference for answers to common questions about roadway operations and regulations in Franklin County. It contains summaries of relevant information and links to the most commonly used and referenced transportation legislation, policies, and design manuals in one handy guide. The Rural Road Guide is available here. Please contact Laurie Scarbrough, Transportation Planning Engineer, with any questions or feedback on the Rural Road Guide: lscarbrough@frcog.org.

Amtrak’s Valley Flyer Back to Full Service!

All aboard Amtrak’s Valley Flyer! The Valley Flyer has service from Greenfield, Northampton, and Holyoke to New Haven, CT.  The Valley Flyer connects to New York City and beyond! The Valley Flyer is making stops for Times Square and Columbus Circle. Book your ride today at http://amtrak.com/valleyflyer

COVID Testing Options: Fall 2021

Testing for asymptomatic people (people who are not currently sick):

  • Greenfield  Stop The Spread site (free PCR tests): https://www.cic-health.com/stopthespread
    • Note that there are two steps to getting tested at a Stop The Spread site: 1. Scheduling an appointment at the link above. 2. Then creating a “LabPass” account where you order the test & receive your results.
    • As of September 29, 2021, the Greenfield Stop The Spread site is open during the following hours. If no appointments are available on the scheduling website, they do accept walk-ins.
      • Monday & Tuesday 8am-2pm. Wednesday & Thursday 12pm-6pm. Friday 8am-1pm. Saturday & Sunday 9am-2pm.
      • The Greenfield Stop The Spread site is located in the East Building at GCC. Follow the signs as you drive in.
    • To create a LabPass account, go here: https://labpass.com/en/login and click “Sign Up”. Fill in the required information. The access code is “CICHEALTH”.
      • Note that each family member being tested needs their own LabPass account, accessed with their own individual email account.
      • Once you have created a LabPass account and have logged in, click “Order” to start the process of ordering a test. Then click the consent button, then answer all health questions. Once you submit the form, you can go get your test at the Stop The Spread site.
  • UMass Community COVID Testing: free for asymptomatic people, testing in the Campus Center, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. – Noon  https://www.umass.edu/coronavirus/communitycovidtest 
  • Baystate Franklin Medical Center: https://www.baystatehealth.org/covid19/testing  Daily testing in Greenfield at 33 Riddell St.  You must schedule an appointment to be tested by calling 413-795-TEST and you will need a physician referral.
  • Walgreen’s at https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/category/covid-19 
  • CVS at https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing/?icid=coronavirus-lp-nav-general-testing
  • Community Health Center of Franklin County has suspended testing to focus on vaccination. There is currently no asymptomatic testing at CHCFC.

Testing for people with symptoms:

  • Medical Providers with onsite testing for their patients include the Community Health Center of Franklin County, Baystate Medical Practices, and Valley Medical Group. If you are a patient at one of these practices and are experiencing symptoms, contact them directly.

At-home testing