Staff Report
Published: 8/25/2020 10:04:35 AM
Modified: 8/25/2020 10:04:33 AM
A $2,000 grant from the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation’s Urban and Community Forestry Program will support new equipment for the Petersham Wood Bank, a volunteer firewood heating assistance program now in its sixth year of service to Petersham residents, according to a press release.
In 2019-2020, the Wood Bank distributed 15 cords of wood to Petersham residents. Petersham households may apply for winter 2020-2021 vouchers once a month, or as dry wood is available, at the Town Office starting in October. Wood allotments are picked up at the transfer station.
“The Petersham Wood Bank is a team effort and incredible success story, made possible by dedicated volunteers and tremendous support from both the town and the Mass. DCR,” says Jordan O’Connor, who wrote the new grant and co-manages the Petersham Wood Bank as a member of the Petersham Forest and Shade Tree Committee, with Tree Warden Melissa LeVangie.
The wood arrives via the Petersham Highway Department as downed roadside trees brought to the transfer station, where an area has been cleared for logs, equipment, and 39 firewood storage crates that were donated by Mass DCR and built by volunteers. Funds from Mass. DCR, overseen by Sean Mahoney, DCR Markets and Utilization Forestry Program Director and an original co-founder of the Petersham Wood Bank, have recently increased the capacity of wood banks across the state by supporting time for a professional sawyer to saw up logs into smaller rounds that can be safely split and stacked by volunteers.
The new grant will allow for the purchase of a log splitter, storage boxes, equipment for moving wood, and volunteer safety gear — key additions to equipment that has been historically loaned or donated by the Town, the Mass. DCR, and the Harvard Forest. This additional equipment will allow the Petersham Community Wood Bank to expand its capacity and reach more residents in need of firewood assistance.
The challenge grant requires a match of donations or in-kind services of equal value. This will be covered by documented volunteer hours over the coming year. Regular volunteers have included town residents and UMass students.
“Our Wood Bank succeeds because of our dedicated volunteers,” says O’Connor. “New volunteers are always welcome,” he adds, noting that stacking wood into covered crates can be accomplished safely with social distancing. Stacking takes place each Saturday at the Petersham Transfer Station starting at 9:00 am. Those interested in volunteering should contact O’Connor at joconnor@JOAarchitects.com
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August 25, 2020 at 09:09PM
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