PLAINFIELD – The Fire Department’s utility terrain vehicle now has snow tracks, allowing it to respond to incidents on the town’s many trails, even when a snowpack is down.
The tracks for the vehicle cost about $5,500 and the total cost of both the vehicle, also called a UTV, and the tracks is around $25,000 — all paid for using money raised by the Plainfield Volunteer Firefighters Association.
“No tax dollars … were used,” Alvord said. “We’ve had great support.”
In pointing to the necessity of the UTV, Alvord noted the deadly snowmobile crash last winter in Kenneth Dubuque Memorial State Forest that claimed the life of a 56-year-old woman. Alvord noted that Plainfield had to call in mutual aid from Cummington for a UTV to respond.
“We have tons of acres,” Alvord said of the area the town’s emergency responders cover.
Worthington will hold its annual town elections on May 7, the same day as this year’s annual Town Meeting.
Up for election are the Select Board seat held by Amy Wang, the assessor position held by John Fosnot, the Board of Health position held by Camille Smith, the cemetery commissioner position held by Cindy Manley, the Finance Committee position held by Paul Dunlevy, the Planning Board position held by Bart Niswonger, and the School Committee positions held by Cai Walkowiak and Alison Todd.
Nomination papers for all offices must be signed by at least 21 registered voters and turned in by April 1 to the town clerk. The deadline to register to vote in the town election and be eligible to participate in Town Meeting as a voter is April 15, and mail-in registration forms are available at the town post office.
The state Division of Fisheries & Wildlife has scheduled a number of free ice fishing events in the month of February in the area.
“Not only do we do conservation, but we do recreation,” said Marion Larson, chief of information and education for the agency. “Channel your inner otter and come out.”
The first such event will be held over Zoom and take place on Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m. This introductory course will teach people such things as how to test ice for safety and appropriately dress for the sport. People can register online at https://bit.ly/337fDjU.
The next event will be in person in Ashfield on Feb. 12, with participants meeting at the Lake House Dock at 141 Buckland Road. The event will require pre-registration and take place from 8 a.m. to noon, with limited gear available to be borrowed for those who do not have it and limited bait on hand as well. It is being done in conjunction with the Mohawk Trail Regional School District After Care Program, and people can register by contacting Alia Woofenden at awoofenden@mohawkschools.org.
The final event is a fishing derby and learn to fish event in Cheshire, to be held on Feb. 20. Participants are welcome to drop in any time from sunrise to 4 p.m., and gear and bait will be provided. The meet up and weigh-in spot is Farnham’s Causeway on Hoosac Lakes.
The event is being co-sponsored with the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club and the Adams Outdoorsman for Youth, and the derby will feature prizes. Those interested in the event should contact Jim Lagacy at Jim.lagacy@mass.gov.
No fishing license is required to participate in any of these events.
Larson said that ice fishing events are typically popular, but the big challenge is making sure that there’s a safe thickness of ice. The in-person events will be canceled if the ice is not safe.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.