CUMMINGTON — Many residents took to social media over the past week saying they were not receiving their mail and wanted to know why.
An official from the United Sates Postal Service (USPS) apologized for shortcomings, noting that rough weather and the retirement of a mail carrier played a role in the delivery issues.
“The Postal Service recognizes timely and accurate deliveries are paramount to our customers and we remain committed to providing the service they expect,” stated USPS spokesman Mark Wahl. “Recently inclement weather and poor road conditions, combined with the recent retirement of a letter carrier, have caused some disruptions to some mail deliveries. We are rotating temporary carriers to assist until a permanent carrier comes on board. We appreciate customers’ understanding and patience.”
Former Fire Chief Alvord saluted after 50 years of service
PLAINFIELD — Plainfield’s Fire Chief Rob Shearer is saluting Dave Alvord for 50 years of service in the Plainfield Volunteer Fire Department.
Alvord’s story with the department began when he was a 25-year-old in January of 1976. At that time, the Connecticut native was looking for something to do with his life and recently moved to Plainfield, where he was living and working at 151 South St., then the Cummington Farm Village Ski Touring Center.
Now 50 years later, after decades of 2 a.m. calls and balancing his duties with the department, work and family, his story with the department remains ongoing. Alvord has held many roles in both town government and in the volunteer fire service, including roles as EMT, assistant fire chief, fire chief and now safety officer.
“Fifty years as a volunteer firefighter is not only an achievement of dedication, it is a badge of honor few will ever wear,” said Shearer, adding that Alvord has remained fully dedicated to the department while being a family man with three boys and balancing his work schedule.
Shearer being chief is a full circle moment for Alvord, who first received an invite to join the volunteer department by Shearer’s grandfather, Frank Skaling.
“As Alvord and Skaling got to know each other, they found they both had a common interest beyond the Cummington Farm business,” said Shearer. “When Skaling heard that Alvord had previous fire training as a member of Simsbury, Connecticut Volunteer Fire Dept., he inquired whether he would be interested in joining the Plainfield Volunteer Fire Department.”
Shearer joined the station working alongside legends in town Buzzy Alletson, Ed Moran and Dutch Hathaway. The town’s public safety complex is named after Dennis Thatcher, another cornerstone Alvord worked alongside, after he served 30 years as chief up until 2019.
When he started with the department, Alvord didn’t anticipate he’d one day be celebrating this milestone.
“This is 50 years — are you kidding me? You don’t feel it until you’re there,” said Alvord. “It’s something that gets in your blood.”
Alvord continues to work alongside the department and is leaving his life lessons with younger generations of volunteer firefighters. He underscored how much more difficult it is to serve as a volunteer firefighter today given that making a living is more expensive and requires people to work multiple jobs.
Given these conditions, he said Hilltown departments are in dire need of more help. Even one person leaving can weaken small, rural, volunteer departments.
“30, 40, 50 years ago when we were doing this it was just easier,” he said.
While the Hilltowns don’t receive the same volume of calls for emergencies, the risks are the same, said Alvord.
“There are huge fires and there’s a risk, and you have to accept that risk,” he said.
But he urges the 25-year-olds of today to hop on board the department since the idea of no longer having a department is, “a pretty scary thought.”