Middlefield MA

Middlefield information from state agencies

Narrative

Middlefield is a small rural hilltown with a population under 500. It is located in the center of the land area between the Connecticut River and New York State. The 1800-foot altitude of the town center provides panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. Points of interest include Glendale Falls, keystone railroad arches, an abandoned soapstone quarry and a clutch of scenic rivers. In keeping with its strong agricultural background, Middlefield hosts an annual agricultural fair, a 138-year old tradition of the town. Historically the town was also home to a flourishing woolen mill trade that boomed in the late 1800's when the town's population peaked at over 1,000 people. Small farms are still the largest employers in town and the small general store, a mail order business and a few local artisans comprise the local industry profile.

GEOGRAPHY

Location

West central Massachusetts, bordered by Worthington on the northeast, Chester on the southeast, Becket on the southwest, Washington on the west, and Peru on the northwest. Middlefield is 19 miles southeast of Pittsfield and 123 miles west of Boston.

Total Area: 24.17 sq. miles

Land Area: 24.16 sq. miles

Population: 392

Density: 16 per sq. mile

Climate

(National Climatic Data Center)

(Knightville Dam Station)

Normal temperature in January.....20.1°F

Normal temperature in July........68.7°F

Normal annual precipitation.......45.1"

U.S.G.S. Topographical Plates

Becket, Chester, Peru, Worthington

Regional Planning Agency

Pioneer Valley Planning Commission

Metropolitan Statistical Area

(1993 Definition)

GOVERNMENT

Municipal Offices

Main Number: (413) 623-8966

Telephone Numbers for Public Information

Form of Government

Board of Selectmen

Open Town Meeting

Year Incorporated

As a town: 1783

Registered Voters (Secretary of State 1994)

Total Registered 309

Democrats 89 28.8%

Republicans 51 16.5%

Other parties 0 0.0%

Unenrolled Voters 169 54.7%

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS

Subsidized Housing Units(DHCD 1998) DHCD Subsidized Housing Inventory

Subsidized Housing Units: The number of housing units, which count toward the municipality's 10% goal for low- and moderate-income housing. It includes both subsidized affordable units and market rate units in certain eligible subsidized developments.

Public Housing Units (DHCD 2002)

Conventional State: 0
Conventional Federal: 0

Rental Assistance(DHCD 1999)
State (MRVP: 0
Federal (Section 8): 0

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

 

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS

Middlefield is located between the Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley region. Although there are no numbered state highways in the town, its proximity to U.S. Route 20 provides good access to the airport and rail facilities.

Major Highways

There are no numbered state highways in Middlefield. Local roads link up to the principal highways in the region, State Route 8 and cross-state U.S. Route 20, which runs through the neighboring towns of Chester and Becket.

Rail

There is no passenger or freight rail service in Middlefield, but the network of intermodal facilities serving Massachusetts is easily accessible.

Bus

Middlefield is a member of the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA). There is no fixed route service. FRTA provides limited paratransit services for the elderly and disabled through the Middlefield Council on

Aging.

Other

The Pittsfield Municipal Airport, a General Aviation (GA) facility located in neighboring Pittsfield, has 2 asphalt runways 3,496' and 5,000' long. Instrument approaches available: Non-precision. Scheduled airline service is available in Albany, New York, and at Bradley Field in Connecticut (both approx. an hour from Pittsfield).

CULTURE AND RECREATION

LIBRARIES

Board of Library Commissioners On-line Library Catalog

MUSEUMS

(American Association of Museums) None

RECREATION

Recreational Facilities(Recreational sites and activities)
Department of Environmental Management Recreation Section

MISCELLANEOUS

HEALTH FACILITIES

Hospitals None
Long Term Care None
Hospices None
Rest Homes None