A number of volunteers successfully "got the hay in" on the recently acquired Longley Acres Conservation Area on Whitney Road. This was a huge undertaking and would have been impossible without the many volunteers who came over on hot evenings after work to put the hay in the barn before it rained. The Conservation Commission will sell the hay with all proceeds going to the Longley Acres Conservation Area Maintenance Fund.

Stephen Longley, son of former owner Louise Longley, bravely volunteered to cut, rake, and bale the 20+ acres of hay with his own equipment for only the cost of tractor gas and baling twine. He also gamely helped set up the hay elevator, directed inexperienced helpers, and pitched in to throw bales. In addition, thanks go to Al Dressler who attended every time. The help of the following people is gratefully appreciated, many of whom came several evenings: Daryl Ahokas, Craig & Denise Brauckmiller, Donna & son Cory Burke, Bob Burkhardt, Lou Carreiros, Dave Clark, Graham Claydon, Charlie & son Charlie Coburn, Norman & Natalie Delorey, Ron Farnsworth, Frank Forest, Mike & Anne Gagnon, Ray Hebert, John Hillier, Brian Kerrigan, Paul Kuzeja, Melvin Longley, Jr., Lee & Betsy Mirkovic, Paul Przybyla, John Rounds, Peter Seco, Dave & son David Terry, John & Kay Tohline, and Peter Zopes. In addition to throwing bales, Donna Burke, Mike Gagnon, Brian Kerrigan, and Melvin Longley lent their trucks to haul the hay, and Mike Gagnon brought his trailer. Our apologies if we missed anyone or misspelled any names!

We managed to get in over 1,200 bales of hay in five evenings. In addition, Betsy and Lee Mirkovic, who own the adjacent Longley Homestead on Center Road, donated over 500 bales of construction hay to the Conservation Commission in return for the Commission's help getting their hay in their barn for their horses. The donated hay was sold out of the field and the proceeds placed in the Longley Acres Conservation Area Maintenance Fund.

This great community effort was productive and fun! Arrangements have not yet been made for subsequent cuttings, but please contact the Shirley Conservation office at (978) 425-2600 ext. 245 if you are interested in getting on our list of helpers or if you would like to purchase hay.

Hay is currently for sale at $3.00/bale. Discounts are given for more than 200 bales purchased at one time ($2.75/bale) or for more than 400 bales purchased at one time ($2.50/bale).