Hilltown Voices: Plainfield volunteer fire department receives $37K grant for equipment

PLAINFIELD — The Plainfield Volunteer Firefighters Department was recently given a grant of $37,475 from the Dextra Baldwin McGonagle Foundation, an independent organization based in New York City.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Dave Alvord, the funding has allowed the department to purchase five new self-contained breathing apparatuses, which provide breathable air to firefighters in compromised environments.

Compliant with 2013 National Fire Protection Association standards, the new SCBAs will replace older units currently carried on Engine 3, the department’s first-responding attack pumper.

Alvord said that over the past several years, the Plainfield Volunteer Fire Department had applied to the Federal Assistance to Firefighters grant program, but every application had been denied.

The department then teamed up with retired Plainfield Fire Officer Bob Corash to request funding from the Dextra Baldwin McGonagle Foundation, and the application was accepted in the fall of 2017.

“This unexpected funding allows us to keep our department member’s equipment compliant with NFPA updated requirements, and it also allows us to now approach our town with a much lower request for assistance for the next fiscal year,” Alvord said. “For a small town like Plainfield, any assistance towards fiscal relief is crucial these days.”

Members of the Fire Department have begun training on the new SCBAs and plan to put the units into service once all members are properly trained.

ASHFIELD — The Ashfield Rod and Gun Club will its 27th annual youth ice fishing derby on Ashfield Lake Saturday, Feb. 10.

The derby is free and will take place from 8 a.m. until noon.

All children 14 years old and younger are welcomed to participate. Organizers ask that they bring their own fishing equipment and bait and register at the Ashfield Lake House.

There will be a three tip-up/hook limit this year, due to the draw-down of Ashfield Lake.

“We usually get 40 to 60 kids from all over the Hilltowns, and towns like Greenfield and Shelburne Falls,” event organizer Joe Miraglia said. “We also see a lot of parents who participated themselves as children, and now they are bringing their kids.”

Miraglia said hot chocolate and doughnuts will be available during the event.

Following the fishing derby, there will be a spaghetti dinner at Sanderson Academy. The dinner is free for kids and $5 for adults.

Prizes will be awarded after the dinner and MassWildlife biologist Nathan Buckhot will provide a presentation on black bears.

“Last year we had a fisheries biologist give a presentation,” Miraglia said. “We like to make it both fun and educational.”

For more information on the fishing derby, call Joe Miraglia at 628-4400.

WILLIAMSBURG — Get ready for Valentine’s Day and make some handmade Valentine cards at the Meekins Library Valentine Extravaganza.

Bring your creativity to the Hawks Hayden Room on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. to fashion some cards, and decorate cookies and cupcakes as well.

Cards will also be made to send to the Williamsburg Senior Center.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Williamsburg Libraries. For more information, call Wendy Peppercorn at 268-7472.