TURNERS FALLS — The town of Montague may soon have a solution for families who struggle to heat their homes during the more frigid months.
Food banks are an important part of life for residents who need assistance with feeding their families. But what about heat?
Town Meeting member Sean Mahoney proposed to create a wood bank for needy residents of Montague so they could collect firewood to heat their home in winter. The motion was recently passed by the Selectboard and is also supported by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service.
Montague’s wood bank would be a community-based project that turns tree waste into usable firewood for the needy. Volunteers would take in cut wood from the town, tree care companies and some residents and then “recycle” it as firewood. The specifics are still in the planning stages, but this means the wood bank may be able to recycle wood from trees that fall during a storm, or wood from trees that will be removed by the Town. It is possible that a system could be set up where residents could contact wood bank volunteers to collect wood from their yard — but Mahoney isn’t ready to promise this service yet.
After the first batch of firewood is collected, it must dry before it can be used. Mahoney hopes for volunteers to start processing the wood by the end of March, but the official date depends on when paperwork is finalized.
Once he receives the go-ahead for the first date of wood processing, Mahoney will begin to round up volunteers, including residents and town employees.
“It’s a good chance to get outside and be active,” Mahoney said, adding that it’s a great way to socialize with fellow residents. “I’m definitely looking forward to people’s support.”
He hopes to create a “culture of safety” and place volunteers in positions where their abilities are best suited. People who can show experience operating chainsaws and log splitters will be able to operate equipment.
According to town planner Walter Ramsey, volunteers would be required to sign waivers; there would be different waivers depending on whether volunteers are using machinery or not.
“We’ve got it covered as far as liability,” Ramsey said.
Those who aren’t comfortable operating machinery can help too.
“I’m more than happy to have people come stack wood,” Mahoney said.
However, he realizes that it can be tiring work, and doesn’t want his volunteers to wear themselves out, so he plans to punctuate working days with plenty of breaks.
Athol and Petersham run similar programs, and there are about 65 wood banks throughout the nation.
To obtain firewood from Athol’s wood bank, potential recipients must fill out an application online or in person at Town Hall. According to the Athol Community Wood Bank site, if residents are approved they receive a monthly voucher for a “full pallet of wood,” roughly a half cord, which can be picked up at the Athol Transfer Station. Mahoney hopes to provide approximately a half cord of wood to needy Montague residents, too.
The Gill-Montague Council on Aging is currently drafting an application form for those who wish to take advantage of the wood bank. Applicants must apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which normally provides emergency heating oil deliveries. However, there may be some exceptions made for those who recently suffered a hardship — like a death in the family.
Similar to Mahoney’s proposed wood bank, the Athol bank operates with volunteer assistance. “Trained town employees or qualified volunteers” operate chainsaws. Others may transport and stack the wood.
The wood will be housed at the Montague recycling center in crates, safe from rain and snow. There, it will available for pickup. Mahoney also discussed the potential for volunteers to deliver to qualified recipients who have physical limitations and can’t pick up the wood themselves.
“This sounds like a great way to use up wood that might come into possession of the town, and I hope it can benefit some folks,” said Selectboard member Rich Kuklewicz.
Reach Christie
Wisniewski at:
cwisniewski@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 280