When multiple numbers of street trees began to be felled along the streets of Plainfield near the end of the summer, many residents became concerned about the fate of the town’s trees and whether or not there were plans to replace those that were being lost.
In response, roughly 25 residents got together to form the Plainfield Tree Alliance. The group’s goal is to save the trees that they can, find a way to replace the trees that are being removed and put the trees being cut in the public right-of-way to good use.
According to Alliance member David Perkins, many of the trees are roughly 100 to 150 years old, and many were dying.
“Many of these are maple trees that were planted in the early years of Plainfield,” Perkins said.
Perkins said that it was Eversource that was cutting the trees which were either being left on the roadside or taken to a large pile of cut trees near the towns transfer station.
In addition to identifying where trees should be replaced and planting new trees, the group is also working towards creating a community “wood bank.”
“There is already an enormous pile of logs near the transfer station now,” Perkins said.
The wood bank would provide firewood for low-income families who qualify for heating assistance as well as those who volunteer at the wood bank.
The group has applied for a $2,000 grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to begin the process setting up the program. The funding will be used to pay for equipment and a program coordinator who will help plan and develop a distribution system and train volunteers.
A location for the wood bank has not yet been decided.
The Alliance is currently trying to ascertain how many residents might be interested in receiving wood once the program is up and running, which Perkins says will be in 2020.
Those who are interested can email Perkins at: davidsperkins@gmail.com, or call 634-5716 before November 7.
WORTHINGTON — The Hilltown Artisans Guild will host their annual Holiday show and sale on November 10th and 11th at the Worthington Town Hall
The show will feature crafts people from throughout Western Massachusetts and will include items such as fine art, pottery, woodcrafts and weavings, jewelry photography, cards and more. Admission is free and refreshments will be available.
The show will take place at the Worthington Town Hall on Rt. 112, and run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
CHESTERFIELD — The Chesterfield Grange is sponsoring a veteran’s dinner on Sunday November 11th at 5 p.m. in Chesterfield Community Center.
The meal is free to veterans and $10 for guests. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling Mary Ann Coleman at 296-4787.
Ideas for this column on life in the hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.