Plunkett Lake – A few updates
A week ago Friday (April 2), DPW Superintendent Bud Hall met with an Officer and an Engineer from the Mass Office of Dam Safety to determine the best course of action needed to correct the batter boards that were lilting towards the spillway. After spending several hours examining the site and reviewing the design’s blueprints, Bud agreed on a plan of action that included securing an emergency repair permit from Hinsdale’s Conservation Commission and the State. Once the permits were in place and materials secured, Bud and the DPW crew implemented the plan, staying several extra hours Friday evening to finish the job.  
 
I am pleased to report that the batter boards are in place for the summer season. So when you see the DPW Crew over the next several days, thank them for a job well done.  
 
The DPW staff will continue to monitor Plunkett per State Law. Please stay off the dam and spillway as the Town cannot afford unintentional damage or vandalism. Thank you.
 
Drought
Last summer, the Berkshires experienced a Level 2-significant drought on their drought scale (Mass Drought Status). In March 2021, the State declared we are already at a Level 1-Mild Drought status currently. The State asks that residents do their part to conserve water:
 
As the Commonwealth enters into the growing season and more time is spent outdoors, the State’s Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) urges residents and businesses to reduce water use. If you garden, please limit outdoor watering to no more than one day a week for Level 1 regions and handheld watering for Level 2 regions.

Other water conservation tips include:

•  Address leaks as soon as possible;
• Conduct water audits on larger buildings and businesses to identify leaks and potential water conservation opportunities;
• Minimize the size of where lawns are watered; and,
• Harvest rainwater for outdoor watering. 

 
Water conservation measures will reduce water use and safeguard water for essential needs, such as drinking water, fire protection services, habitat recovery, and environmental needs, and sustained water supplies. For more information, please visit EEA’s web pages on indoor and outdoor water use. While water supplies are currently doing fine, individuals are also encouraged to follow any additional requirements outlined by their communities’ Public Water Supplier. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not currently experiencing drought conditions, as defined within its plan.

Restoration of the Dam Spillway 
Restoration of the Plunkett Dam Spillway and batter boards has been an ongoing conversation topic, especially given the drought and low water level last summer. The Select Board and I met with Lake Management (via zoom) in February, and this project was part of that discussion. We are actively seeking grant funding from the State. Please remember that securing grant funding is a process, and 300 other municipalities across the State are doing the same. That said, we shall continue to advocate for Hinsdale’s share of these resources.

Hinsdale Pollinator Garden Initiative to launch on Earth Day
Press Release, April 11, 2021 -- Pittsfield, MA -- Berkshire Conservation District is excited to announce the Hinsdale Pollinator Garden Initiative’s kick-off, including planting native, pollinator-friendly gardens at the Hinsdale Public Library! The District received grant funding from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund to initiate a pilot program promoting small-scale pollinator gardens in the Town of Hinsdale, MA, which passed a resolution to become a ‘Pollinator-Friendly Community’ at the May 2019 town meeting. 
 
With the increasing loss of habitat, use of pesticides, and introduction of non-native plants, pollinators are in decline in the US. 
Pollinators provide a vital ecosystem service by transferring pollen between plants to facilitate reproduction, making them responsible for 1/3 of the bites of food eaten by humans each day. “Gardening for pollinators creates links between humans and nature while fostering environmental stewardship,” notes the Districts’ Board of Supervisor Chair, Adam Galambos. “Stresses on pollinators is exacerbated by climate change which disrupts biological systems including the pollinator-flower relationship and poses challenges for all pollinators. By planting a variety of native pesticide-free pollinator gardens, we can help to support pollinators in our communities.”
 
The project will kick off on Earth Day, April 22 (weather permitting), with a celebratory first planting. As the project progresses, online workshops led by knowledgeable pollinators and native plant specialists in our area will be offered by the District, and literature and books on the subject featured at the library. Plans for the gardens were drawn up for a sun and shade garden by Understory Landscape and Garden Design, located in Windsor, MA. 
The District welcomes volunteers interested in getting involved with this project.
 
The Berkshire Conservation District has been serving the Berkshires since 1946 as one of more than 3,000 state-mandated agencies. Our mission is to help farmers, landowners, and land managers improve and protect their natural resources. In cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, we offer assistance through education and outreach.
 
For more information and to be part of this exciting program, contact the District at berkshireconservationdistrict@gmail.com.