ACORN BTA/BOLT, INC. WINTER 2020 - GEMSOFTHEWINTERNIGHTSKY BYJULIANTROAKE
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Acorn BTA/BOLT, Inc. WINTER 2020
Gems of the Winter Night Sky by Julian Troake
If you can brave the cold weather and get outside during the winter evenings, you’ll be rewarded with
some of the most interesting objects in the night sky.
The brightest object you’ll see, apart from the moon, is Venus, 100 million miles from the Earth at the
beginning of February. Shining brightly in the west, you’ll see it as soon as the sun goes down, the
evening ‘star’. Because Venus is an inferior planet (which means its orbit is in between the Earth’s orbit
and the Sun) it has phases just like the moon. In February about three quarters of its disc is illuminated
but by the end of March it will only be half full. However, the orbits of Venus and the Earth are moving
the planets closer to each other so Venus will appear brighter in March than it does now. On the night
of February 26th, look out for the crescent moon passing below Venus.
After the Big Dipper, possibly the most well-known
constellation in the sky is Orion the Hunter. Famous for the
three bright stars that make up Orion’s belt and the bright
red, variable star, Betelgeuse, which represents the hunter’s
shoulder. In winter, Orion rises high in the sky and the hidden
gem to look out for is the Orion nebula. It can be found as the
center ‘star’ in Orion’s sword, three stars in a row which
naturally enough hang below his belt. Visible to the naked eye,
it stands out clearly in binoculars as a cloud-like object with four
bright stars in its center. It’s a vast cloud of gas and dust where stars and planetary discs are forming.
Over 500 have been counted by observers.
The last object to look for is the star cluster called the Pleiades or more commonly, the Seven Sisters.
It is a large open cluster of stars in the constellation of Taurus the Bull, six or seven of which are visible
to the unaided eye, depending on how good your eyesight is. When you take a look through binoculars
you may see 30, 40 or more stars but the cluster contains over a thousand stars. It is thought they
formed together approximately 100 million years ago. A beautiful sight.
If you’re interested in learning more you can find the North Shore Astronomical Club website at www.
NSAAC.org
Page 2 the Acorn WINTER 2020 President’s message by Jessica Grigg “God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools” - John Muir As I learn more and more about how to conserve and protect land, I am convinced that it is vital to protect our trees, wetlands and marshes, not just to provide for us, but to protect us. As sea levels rise, marshes will be guarding our coasts, and as temperatures rise, trees will be helping to cool our homes and streets and remove carbon from the atmosphere. We are very fortunate to live in a town which is so forested. Though maintenance is required to keep dead trees off our power lines, the methods of how to deal with invasives Lockwood Lane Photo C Delaney like Bittersweet and Multiflora, or where we need to “clean up” is usually an ongoing discussion as opinions and circumstances change. People could put wires underground instead of intermingling them with trees, but instead they choose to remove trees. Japanese Knotweed was in the soil trucked to Boxford Common’s wetland area. Our Conservation Commissioner, with help from others, heroically and effectively hand weeded those shoots out of the wetlands in what will be an ongoing effort for a couple of seasons to come. Cutting is simply the wrong method of controlling what we have deemed undesirable and which we have brought on ourselves. Even deforesting for farming, especially when pesticide use is still dominating our farming practices, is a loss. Science has spoken - chemicals are not the answer, as they cause widespread, deadly damage to both animals (humans included) and landscapes. What would Rachel Carson think if she were alive today? I think perhaps those who feel we need to control nature look at things from the perspective that we are apart from nature, that it exists for us. Apparently, we haven’t done a very good job as managers. Read the observations of people living through Australia’s fires and the deadly flooding in Indonesia, witnessing the loss of so many animals and vegetation which will take years and years to replace, if ever. The destruction of trees is devastating for the resulting air pollution and because they are our most important carbon capturing mechanisms. What happened to the headlines about Brazil and those irreplaceable forests? Has the outrage already died out? New York City is looking to the Netherlands and Denmark for solutions as they consider
WINTER 2020 the Acorn Page 3
President’s Message (continued)
mitigation methods to guard from future storms like Hurricane Sandy. Boston rejected the
barrier idea “in favor of a mix of onshore measures like retractable flood walls and wetland
terraces.” (NY Times Jan 17, 2020 – Ann Barnard) A New York Times article from January 21st
notes that even the current Administration is discussing setting aside billions of dollars of
aid to southern states to assist in recoveries from the disasters to come, though the words
“climate change” have not been allowed in the documentation. There are many theories
about the smartest ways to deal with rising tides, but one thing people do agree upon – we
need our trees and marshes. Look at the “Million Trees Project” to feel happier and inspired.
I remain optimistic as many communities, and some nations, lean towards preservation and
mitigation. More and more articles supporting native planting for habitat and species rescue
and restoration are finding their way to planners and gardeners.
As Douglas W. Tallamy writes in his wonderful book Bringing Nature Home, the suburban
garden is playing a vital role in all of this. “For the first time in history, gardening has taken
on a role that transcends the needs of the gardener. Like it or not, gardeners have become
important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife.”
“We can each make a measurable difference almost immediately by planting a native
nearby. As gardeners and stewards of our land, we have never been so empowered – and the
ecological stakes have never been so high.”
When I look toward the coming mud season and spring, the desire to tidy up one’s yard,
plant and prune can be powerful. I will plant, but plant for others. What could be simpler
than seeding some white clover? What about letting those messy milkweeds and goldenrod
“go for it”? And let the dandelions and buttercups spread! Seeing the variety of flying
creatures of all ilk who materialize upon a humble “weed”, or gorgeous cultivated bloom, is
thrilling. The birds who then can eat well and feed their young are worth every caterpillar
nibbled leaf, stray seedling and messy, flowering weeds which pop up. Instead of removing
them, I will remember what good they provide and to whom. I am keeping an eye on a baby
oak tree which has decided to encroach on a young apple tree. I could never bring myself
to remove it, though I know they must be competing, but they are both healthy. Nature can
decide who will win out, the cultivated or the native. I hope you will enjoy your gardens and
renegade plants this spring and consider planting a tree.
Jessica
Page 4 the Acorn WINTER 2020
Boxford Sustainability Committee by Gary Martin
Solar Energy: The Boxford Sustainability Committee (SC) was formed as an official Town
Committee in 2013 under the leadership of Greg Netland. Its initial purpose was to obtain
Town Meeting approval and manage the construction of a solar array for the Town of Boxford.
The project easily won approval at Town Meeting, and the SC selected a construction firm.
Before construction could begin though, the Massachusetts cap on solar was hit, and no new
large solar projects could be constructed for well over a year. When the state legislature finally
raised the cap, the SC successfully managed the construction of the nearly 1MW Boxford Solar
Array in late 2017.
The Solar Array is now providing clean energy and saving money for Boxford. Annually, it
provides over $40,000 to Boxford through net metering credits and other payments to the
Town. Because the Solar Array generates more power than is consumed by the Town, Boxford
has also been building up another $40,000+ per year in net metering credits. The Town would
prefer that Masco save money by
taking advantage of these credits,
but an agreement has not yet been
reached.
The Solar Array has now generated
almost 2.5GWh (2.5 million kWh) of
electricity. You can view the daily
and cumulative electricity production
at:
Wicked Local courtesy photo
https://www.solrenview.com/SolrenView/mainFr.php?siteId=4572
Green Community: After the Solar Array was up and running, Greg and some of the other SC
members retired from the SC. The current membership is Marc Aronson, Pat Canonica, Holly
Langer, Keith Sampson, and me as Chair. Our primary focus has been on the Massachusetts
Green Community program.
To be designated as a Green Community, Boxford had to meet 5 criteria. The largest of these
was the creation of an Energy Reduction Plan (ERP) for the Town. The ERP identifies energy
saving projects which could allow the Town to reduce its energy consumption by 20%. Grants
from the Green Communities program can be used to help pay for these projects.
WINTER 2020 the Acorn Page 5 Boxford Sustainability Committee (continued) We successfully completed the Green Community requirements at the end of 2018. As a result, Boxford was awarded a designation grant of about $132,000. The SC decided to use this grant for energy savings projects at the Police and Fire Stations. The Police Station and the East Fire Station have by far used the most energy per square foot of all the Boxford buildings. The Police Station has also been the third highest overall user of energy (though well below the school buildings). For the Police Station, we used grant money (in conjunction with MassSave incentives) to much better air seal and insulate the building. In addition, the Green Community grant provided the majority of the funding to replace two old rooftop HVAC units with much more efficient units. Together these projects are projected to provide an annual savings of nearly 13MWh of electricity and 2800 therms of natural gas. At the East Fire Station, the Green Community grant funded the replacement of a wall unit that provided A/C and resistive heating with a much more efficient heat pump. The grant (along with some MassSave funding) also paid for the replacement of existing heating systems in the garage bays with more efficient radiant heating units. Together these projects are projected to provide an annual savings of nearly 100kWh of electricity, 800 therms of natural gas, and 400 gallons of propane. Electric Car Charging Stations: Last year, the SC applied for National Grid funding that was available for electric car charging stations. We were awarded these funds (which paid the entire cost), and Boxford was able to have dual charging stations installed at Town Hall, the DPW building, and the East Fire Station. These are available for public use, and they will likely be used to charge future electric vehicles for the Police, Fire, and DPW departments. Future Projects: Going forward, the SC will continue to apply for and manage Green Community grants to fund energy savings projects for Boxford. In addition, I hope that we can advocate for and help to implement other projects that will make Boxford a more environmentally friendly and sustainable community. The SC has public meetings as needed throughout the year. If you have ideas for sustainability projects, I encourage you to attend a meeting or to contact me or another member of the SC.
Page 6 the Acorn WINTER 2020
TRAILS UPDATE By Jeff Hixon
Boxford Common Trails Network Improvements
The next phase of the Boxford Common trails improvement project is coming into focus!
Part of the vision for the Boxford Common project in East Boxford village was to provide easy
access to walking trails from the ball fields and parking areas. We have started doing work
this winter to progress toward realizing this vision.
The trails have been tidied up and cleared of downed debris. We have also defined and
marked 5 color coded loops that allow very easy navigation of walks varying in length from
three quarters of a mile to 2 miles. The five loops are marked ‘on the ground’ through the use
of color-coded arrows and correspond to the loops on the map. We are also in the process of
getting 2 kiosk inserts produced that will be in the 2 kiosks within Boxford Common – at the
entrance gate on the left, and the second at the back parking lot trailhead. The kiosks will
have the colored loop information as well as maps and information on the Boxford Common
area. Look for these new kiosks in early spring and be sure to check out the new loops.
As always, we rely on volunteers to monitor and report any trail issues around town. If you
would like to help out, or report any problems, please let us know at trails@btabolt.org
Continue to check out our facebook page for trail conditions updates for xc skiing,
snowshoeing, or hiking depending on what Mother Nature dishes out!
The Boxford Trails Association/Boxford Open Land Trust (BTA/BOLT, Inc.)
is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and
protecting Boxford’s environmentally and aesthetically important land
and wildlife habitat, including fields, forests, wetlands and trails.
WINTER 2020 the Acorn Page 7
Boxford Common Trail Map
BTA/BOLT, Inc. Officers Board Members At Large
Jessica Grigg - President Alison Chase Nancy Merrill
Jeff Hixon-Vice President Steve Davis Dennis Pyburn
Jennie Bridge - Secretary Chris Delaney Angela Steadman
Kathy Wallace - Treasurer Bruce Eaton Richard Tomczyk
Judy Gore Priscilla Welch
visit our website for updated information
btabolt.org
BTA/BOLT, Inc.
In This Issue.....
Boxford Trails Association/Boxford Non-Profit Org.
Gems of the Winter Sky 1 Open Land Trust, Inc.
U.S. Postage
President’s Message 2-3 PAID
Boxford Sustainability 4 -5
Boxford MA 01921
Trails Report 6
Boxford Common Trail Map 7 Permit 95
7 Elm Street
P.O. Box 95 printed on recycled paper
Boxford, Massachusetts 01921
Office Phone: 978-887-7031
Upcoming Events www.btabolt.org
Annual Meeting/Dinner May TBD
Dog Show June TBD
Apple Festival Sep 19
Trail Running Festival Oct 18
Pumpkin Hunt Oct 25
CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR STEVE’S
TUESDAY HIKE SCHEDULE
note that cancellations will be posted
on the website by 4PM on the day prior
btabolt.org
printing done by Computer Creations 4u Diane Hayden
preserving the nature of Boxford for more than 40 years
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