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Hilltowner: Windsor State Park Victim of Budget CutsBy Noah Hoffenberg
iBerkshires Correspondent
03:55PM / Sunday, July 05, 2009
 WINDSOR, Mass. — There are no happy campers at Windsor State Park. And there are no angry campers, either. In fact, there are no campers at all.
They've all gone to Savoy.
That's because the Department of Conservation and Recreation this year had to unstaff a number of smaller state parks to close a statewide budget gap, and Windsor was on the short list. DCR saw its total budget cut from nearly $100 million last year to less than $83 million this year.
"It was really hard, but because of budget concerns we had to close some smaller facilities that are close enough to larger facilities that remain open. We hope it's not too much of an inconvenience for people," said Wendy Fox, DCR spokesman.
This spring, the DCR anticipated a cut in the seasonal parks budget of about $260,000 to $300,000, said Fox. By not staffing nine small parks, including Windsor, the DCR saved $260,000. Windsor State Park, with five seasonal staff members — a supervisor, assistant supervisor and three laborers — cost just over $43,000 to run, said Fox.
Signs are up at the state park to direct people to Savoy Mountain State Forest in the neighboring town. The park can be used for recreation, such as for hiking and mountain biking. But there is no parking, restrooms or swimming permitted, according to the state.
Images from DCR
Windsor State Park
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"It is unfortunate that this agency will not be able to keep all our parks and forests fully staffed this season," said DCR Commissioner Richard Sullivan in a prepared statement. "But in these difficult and trying economic times, we remain committed to offering recreational opportunities to everyone."
The DCR notes that Massachusetts isn't the only state making such cutbacks during the current economic downturn. New York, Georgia, Illinois, and Utah also have had to make cuts to its parks systems, according to the state. California, on the brink of bankruptcy, is mulling the closure of more than 200 state parks.
Fiscal 2010, which began on July 1, has brought sizable reductions to the Bay State's parks budget. To match the reduced funding, DCR hired about 330 fewer seasonal employees this year than last, a drop of 15 percent
in its seasonal work force. Additionally, a number of vacant full-time positions within DCR remain unfilled.
Other Western Massachusetts state parks that are unstaffed this season include:
â– Chester Blandford State Forest in Chester and Blandford. The DCR directs people to Tolland State Forest in East Otis.
â– Lake Lorraine State Park in Springfield. Chicopee Memorial State Park in Chicopee Falls is an alternative.
â– Streeter Point Recreation Area, Sturbridge. Chicopee Memorial State Park is again recommended by the DCR as the alternative.
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The Windsor Highway Department has begun its summerlong task of cleaning up the mess left in the wake of the Dec. 11, 2008, ice storm.
Workers began clearing brush on plowed roads first, and will move to the unplowed roads after that. Seventy-five percent of the costs will be picked up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the department.
The department is permitted to chip wood that is solely in the town's right of way, and workers will make only one pass on each street.
Woodchips are available for resident use. A pile is being added to regularly at the transfer station on Route 9.
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A $10 late fee is in effect for all unlicensed dogs in Windsor. The licenses from 2008 expired in April. Dog licenses may be renewed by mail. To license a dog, owners must supply a copy of a current rabies vaccination certificate and a check for $5 for spayed and neutered canines, or $10 for unfixed animals.
Owners of unlicensed dogs should also supply an extra $10 for the late fee. Send checks and rabies certificates to Town Clerk Evelyn Bird, P.O. Box 277, Windsor, MA 01270.
The Hilltowner is an occasional news column written by Noah Hoffenberg. Know of someone doing something special in Windsor and vicinity? Contact Noah at hoff1013@gmail.com and let him know for possible inclusion in a future Hilltowner column. |
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