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2007 Population..........................3,721
2006 Registered voters................2,313
1999 Per capita income.............$20,024
2008 Average tax bill..................$3,486
1999 Median family income.........$53,021
2006 Budget......................$6,540,906
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Town Hall..........(413) 665-1441, 665-1442
Town Clerk.......................Wendy Houle
Town Administrator...Margaret Nartowicz
Treasurer............Herbert Sanderson, Jr.
Police Chief....................Jeffrey Gilbert
Fire Chief.......................Robert Ahearn
School Supt........................Regina Nash
Selectboard.....(chair)Thomas Fydenkevez
Scott Bergeron
Michael A. Wissemann
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Sunderland Fish Hatchery, on Route 116 near the Amherst town line,
is operated by the State Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. It raises trout
that are stocked in streams and ponds throughout the state. The public is
welcome to tour the facility between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. For guided tours,
it is best to call a week or two in advance. Call 413-665-4680 for further
information.
Cronin National Salmon Station, which is part of the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service's effort to restore Atlantic salmon to the
Connecticut River and its tributaries, is open to the public. The facility
located on East Plumtree Road near the Amherst town line. It offers various
activiites, special-needs fishing prgorams and school tours. Call 413-548-9010
for times and further information.
Mount Toby Reservation,can be reached by Reservation Road off
Route 47 near the Montague town line. The summit of Mt. Toby, which rises
1,269 feet, has an observation tower and offers a panoramic view of the
surrounding countryside. A trail leading to the summit takes about an hour to
hike. Call 413-665-3131 for further information.
Cranberry Pond, is located between Routes 63 and 47 near Mt.
Toby. It has a boat ramp for non-gasoline powered boats and is annually
stocked with trout. Reservation Road off Route 47 leads directly to the
pond.
"Button Ball" Tree, more than 350 years old, sits on
North Main Street is an attraction for tourists and residents.
Sunderland Fall Festival takes place behind the town offices. Includes A Taste of Sunderland, raffles, road race, games and events for children, and agricultural displays.
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Sunderland was originally known as Swampfield because of swamps that
began near the village and continued nearly down to the Hadley town line.
The first settlements were made before the start of King Philip's War in 1675,
but were abandoned when hostilities began.
The early settlers' descendants in the towns of Hadley and Hatfield
desired more land, however, and in 1713 they petitioned the Assembly held
in Boston for resettlement of Swampfield. The petition was granted, "provided
that 40 families be settled within three years and that a learned orthodox
minister be settled with them."
The bounds of the town were to include the whole of the present towns
of Sunderland and Leverett, the larger part of Montague and a part of what
is now Wendell. The land to the north was known in the early days as "Hunting
Hills." Wolves, bears, and wildcats abounded there, as well as smaller
game.
Sunderland, which has long been a thriving agricultural community that
benefits from the rich Connecticut River Valley soil, was incorporated on
November 12, 1718. The name of the town was chosen to honor Charles
Spencer, Earl of Sunderland and Prime Minister of England. The first town
meeting was recorded as being held on March 16, 1719. Early industry
included potash, milling, hat and saddle making.
A local landmark is the button ball tree on Main Street, the largest
sycamore east of the Mississippi River. |
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