FIREWISE-Day 2- CHIPPER DAY 2008

FIREWISE CHIPPER DAY 2008
We couldn’t have asked for better weather on Chipper Day, Saturday November 29th. Residents were asked to have their brush curbside, “butt end out” by 8 am. Residents and volunteers from the previous Saturday had gathered large piles of brush along the Forest Corridor. We assisted a few more homeowners that morning as the chipper rolled up the street; together a total of 37 properties were cleaned.

The Firewise Task Force wishes to thank the many homeowners who participated along with the following hardworking volunteers: Tim Grow (CCD), Matt Lewis (CCD) and Eric Kenneally (CCD), Tom McMann (Cub Scouts), Jen Crosby (Friends of the Forest) and Dave Dingledy (Town Forest Committee).

We are grateful to Holbrook Fire Chief O’Brien, and his Department, for their input and ongoing support. Thank you, too, to the Department of Public Works for their assistance and the extra watchfulness of the Holbrook Police Department.

Many thanks go to Norfolk County Forest Fire Patrolman Mike Marquardt for his enthusiasm and for sharing his wealth of knowledge and expertise in helping do the job right; under his guardianship we all worked safely. We are also indebted to Michele Steinberg and the support staff at the National Fire Protection Association, who never left us hanging, and gave us access to lots of wonderful informational tools.

And we could not have had a “Chipper Day” without John West, and his son John, of West Tree Service. John’s continued involvement and tireless support for Holbrook, and the Firewise mission are an extraordinary example of giving back to the community. Thank you, John.

All in all over 35 cubic yard of chips and debris was removed by Mr. West and a few more yards were removed after we finished sweeping the streets.

The day was a great success; and we achieved our Turkey Hill Firewise goal for 2008, making all of our homes, and the Holbrook Town Forest, safer from the threat of wildfire. This wonderful group of people worked together with neighbors and community members to potentially help save lives, reduce property damage, and save fire fighting resources for our town.

Thank you all,

Dale Lewis and Pat Greely
Co-chairs, Turkey Hill Firewise Task Force
Holbrook, Massachusetts