Leverett

There’s not much in Shutesbury. And that’s the way residents of this western Massachusetts town like it. “There’s no bank, no gas station, no convenience store,” says Brad Spry, a Realtor with Media Realty LLC and Shutesbury resident. There also are no streetlights, as residents have resisted efforts to affect the appeal of a dark country night. “When there’s a clear sky with a new moon, the stargazing here is incredible," adds Spry. The town has a part-time library, where you can rent a kayak as easily as a book, a part-time post office and a full-time collection of wildlife. “I constantly see large groups of wild turkeys, and at least once a week I see deer walking through my yard,” says Spry. “We also have a lot of black bears roaming around. Some people put up suet cage bird feeders to attract them to their yards for photography. They’re not predators, and if you want one to go away, you just bang on a pot.” Housing consists primarily of established homes on oversized lots. Renovations of multi-level homes from as far back as the 19th and early 20th centuries stand out. Colonial Revival, ranch and Cape Cod are among the featured architectural styles. “The housing is very rural, with homes spaced out nicely. The minimum building lot is 2 acres with 250 feet of frontage,” says Spry. “The way the homes are spaced, nobody lives on top of one another, unless you are part of the lake community.” A small collection of established homes in a neighborhood setting can be found concentrated around Lake Wyola in the town’s northwest corner. Overall, home prices typically range from the low $200,000s to the high $800,000s, depending on accompanying land. Lake Wyola anchors a small state park that offers seasonal day-use activities. Visitors have access to a small swimming beach, and the lake is stocked with bass and trout. Anglers can fish from the bank or a non-motorized boat. Nature lovers also have access to Shutesbury State Forest. Trails there and throughout town provide additional recreational activity amid the natural landscape. “It’s very much like living in the woods,” says Spry. “There’s a lot of wilderness, which is great for hiking, and conservation lands. If you are outdoorsy, it’s fantastic.” Shutesbury is partially bordered by the Quabbin Reservoir, the main source of water for Boston, and the town's proximity to it ensures preservation of its rural character because of development restrictions within the Quabbin watershed. Adding to that character is the town’s unique topography, which features the region’s hilliest terrain on the eastern rim of the bowl that forms the Pioneer Valley. Students attend a trio of well-rated schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. The youngest students attend Shutesbury Elementary, a B-rated school by Niche that is centrally located in town. Older students attend Amherst Regional Middle, an A-rated school, and Amherst Regional High, an A-plus-rated school that offers advanced placement courses in an array of subjects, including math, foreign languages, history and science. Shutesbury Athletic Club is a rare commercial business located in town. The highly rated bar and grill also serves as a community gathering place that features live music, karaoke and holiday events. Residents must travel to neighboring Amherst for traditional dining and retail options. The city’s downtown district, about 10 miles from the center of Shutebury, is anchored by several eateries. Popular options include Johnny’s Tavern and 30Boltwood, established restaurants known for their fine dining and casual, elegant atmosphere. Amherst’s retail centers are located nearby and feature a concentration of convenient options, including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. “If you want a small, rural, residential township that’s within 15 to 20 minutes of everything, this is a marvelous community,” says Spry. For those needing to travel through Greater Western Massachusetts, U.S. Route 202 runs through a portion of Shutesbury’s east side, and Interstate 91 is located 12 miles west of town. I-91 can be accessed relatively easily by driving through the neighboring towns of Leverett and Sunderland. It connects directly to the Springfield metropolitan area about 30 miles south. Our Town is a local newsletter published three times a year that keeps residents up to date on local projects, activities and special events. Archived copies can be found on the town’s official website, Shutesbury.org.