Solving the EMS Crisis/June 1

Patrick White for State Representative

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Atop the town harvester at Stockbridge Bowl. I successfully proposed the town buy this machine in 2017. I still prefer the manual control of lake vegetation as the preferred method.

In This Issue:

Solving the EMS Crisis

Housatonic Water Works: Testimony Filed

The Threat to Beeches and Oaks

Saving Turtles

Photos from This Past Week

Solving the EMS Crisis

Current State Representative Smitty Pignatelli is convening another gathering of professionals, service operators, and town officials this Friday to discuss the crisis in emergency medical and ambulance services. The crisis is a slow-motion train wreck that's impacting rural areas in general and Berkshire County in particular.

The first and most important responsibility of government is public health and safety. For this reason, solving the EMS crisis must be front and center.

Simply put, we must ensure the availability of robust EMS to South County residents. The difference between quick response times (within 6 minutes) and current response times, which can take 20 minutes or more in some of our neighborhoods, is stark: Especially in cases of strokes or heart attacks, you can save a life if you get there fast enough. You don't and people die.

My mom died of a stroke she suffered on our front porch 17 years ago. Unfortunately at the time, she didn't realize it was occuring and waited too long to seek help. The Lenox EMS station is less than a mile from my house, so maybe she would have had a chance, but who knows. When finally called, they did arrive within three minutes, for which we were grateful. She was a wonderful woman who was well loved in this community.

Here's a quick run-down of the EMS challenge in Berkshire County:

• Across the county, with our aging population, we are losing the volunteers who for decades have served our communities. Not as many younger folks are around, or volunteering, to replace them.
• There is a shortage of training classes to become an EMS professional, and even when there is training, young folks aren't choosing this as a career in the numbers we need. Part of the problem may be that these jobs don't pay well enough to raise a family with the explosion in the local cost of living.
• Shared service agreements, which could allow us to regionalize EMS solutions, are notoriously hard to negotiate between towns and have a long lead time with no certainty of outcome.
• This is complicated by the political reaction we've seen in some of our communities when Select Boards even bring up the question, let alone propose solutions.

With seven months left in his last term, Smitty couldn't be faulted for easing up a bit and basking in a glow of appreciation lauded upon him for his decades of public service. Yeah, that's not Smitty: he is working hard as ever by tackling the most pressing question the county must address: the public health and safety challenges inherent in our EMS crisis.

Smitty's example is a really good case study in how to lead in this county. He uses the stature of his office to help inform the public and local leaders on a pressing topic, and then convenes the experts and decision makers to keep it on the front burner as we work towards a solution.

It is unlikely a solution will be in place by January 1. If I follow in his footsteps, I commit to keeping this front and center as the top priority we must address as a community.

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Looking back at Laurel Hill volunteers at last Monday's Memorial Day Parade in Stockbridge.

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Housatonic Water Works: Testimony Filed

On May 1, the Department of Public Utilities took the extraordinary step of tabling the proposed settlement between the Attorney General and Housatonic Water Works, and invited the three intervenors to submit new comments. As the named intervenor for the Town of Stockbridge, I submitted 16 pages of testimony with supporting news references and other appendices. You can read my testimony by clicking here.

Early in May, Stockbridge Town Counsel explained the situation to me as follows:

"The DPU recently amended the scheduling order. They have put the hearings on hold and will be taking further written submissions concerning the settlement agreement. In other words, instead of live testimony, they will be taking the Town's - i.e., your positions on the settlement in writing... The DPU does not just "accept" a settlement but must give the parties a chance to advocate against it (if they haven't proposed it) and have its own public process as it explores whether it is in the public interest. Our comments are our opportunity, as parties, to say our peace, instead of a hearing format. The DPU has now additionally scheduled a virtual public hearing on June 20, 2024, for the public to comment on the proposed settlement. The public may also submit written comments. I would suggest you get the word out about this public opportunity to comment, as the Company's customers likely have some opinions about all this."

On behalf of Stockbridge, I'd like to thank the DPU for giving us the opportunity to make our case. We availed ourselves of that opportunity by filing my intervenor testimony by May 30, the deadline for submission. I would also like to thank the Attorney General's office for their hard work up to this point.

An additional piece of news: The EPA recently awarded a research grant entitled, Treatment Technology Demonstrations Using Practical and Affordable Manganese Treatment for Small Drinking Water Systems Request for Applications (RFA). They aren't announcing the grant winner until later this month. However, I called Ben Packard, the technical contact at the EPA, last week and he offered to set up a meeting between the parties and the grant winner once announced to discuss best practices for treatment of manganese.

If anyone has any questions or comments, including the owners of Housatonic Water Works, please feel free to reach out. Let's work together on both the best financing options and the best technology adoption to ensure that the community has untainted drinking water for decades to come.

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Had an unexpected run-in with a porcupine. Here are a few of the quills she left behind.

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Old Growth Forest expert Bob Leverett, who lives nearby, featured on the cover of Smithsonian Magazine in 2022.

The Threat to Beeches and Oaks

Jane Kaufman wrote a great piece in The Berkshire Eagle on beech leaf disease and beech bark disease a few days ago. Beech trees had already been slowly decimated by the bark disease; the leaf disease is now quickly most surviving beech trees in South County.

I placed a call on Friday to Tom Ryan, the Southern Berkshire management forester for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, and another to world-renown old growth forest expert Bob Leverett. He's the guy who was featured on the cover of Smithsonian Magazine two years ago in Ice Glen, Stockbridge's old growth forest. I've worked closely with both in the past to protect Ice Glen and have deep respect for the expertise they've readily shared.

Bob was pessimistic about the future of local beeches, pointing out that most of the old growth specimens had already been lost to beech bark disease before the emergence of disastrous and new beech leaf disease. He did point out a risk to red oaks that he wanted to put on my radar: oak wilt disease.

We still have time to protect at least some of our majestic oaks. Town governments and homeowners should proactively manage these important shade trees from this risk. Below is a discussion of the challenge and some recommendations, none of which involve pesticides, for protecting our oaks.

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Oak Wilt Disease

Oak wilt is a serious disease caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum (previously known as Ceratocystis fagacearum) that affects oak trees. Here are some key points about the risks and treatment of oak wilt:

Risks:

• It mainly affects oak trees, especially those in the red oak group (with pointed leaf tips) like red oak, blackjack oak, Shumard oak etc.
• The fungus invades the vascular system of the tree and restricts water flow, causing the leaves to turn brown and wilt.
• It spreads through root grafts to nearby oak trees of the same species.
• The fungus can also spread overland via insect vectors like sap-feeding beetles that carry fungal spores.
• Red oaks are very susceptible and can die quickly once infected.

Treatment:

• There is no cure, but preventive measures can be taken to protect healthy trees.
• Pruning or tree removal is recommended when beetles emerge (usually April/May) as this can attract insect vectors.
• Disrupting root grafts by trenching or installing a root inscription barrier around valuable trees.
• Avoiding injuries to trunk which can allow insect transmission of the fungus.

The key to managing oak wilt is to prevent its underground spread through root grafts. Early detection and prompt removal of infected trees is crucial, especially for homeowners. Preventive fungicide treatments like Alamo (propiconazole) can provide some protection as well.

The oak in my front yard.

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Saving Turtles

It is so heartwarming to see the outpouring of interest in helping turtles cross local roads. This time of year, females often travel away from water to lay their eggs. One of my favorite childhood memories is rescuing turtles from the road by placing them in our wheelbarrow. Some of them nearly filled it completely! These critters can live to over 100 years old, so perhaps some of these gentle giants from my childhood are still with us today.

I had a chance to talk last week with the good folks of Berkshire County Turtle Rescue, to share guidance as to how to safely assist a turtle and keep it from being run over. Here are a few tips they shared with me:

• Even snapping turtles don't pose any danger to you if handled correctly. The bite force of a snapper is significantly less than that of a human. It can't "take off your finger" for example
• To safely pick up a turtle, place your hands under its abdomen by the back legs. The turtle's head can't reach your hands that way.
• Stay away from the front legs or the mouth of a turtle!
• Remember that snapping turtles can easily weigh 10-30 pounds, and you will need to keep it at arm's distance as you carry it safely across. If you don't have the upper body strength to do so, simply pick its back legs up and gently nudge it across the road.
• Always relocate the turtle in the direction it was already traveling.

Need some help or find an injured turtle? You can always reach out to Berkshire County Turtle Rescue by calling or texting 413-663-4555.

Turtle in the wetlands at the back of my property.

Berkshire County Turtle Rescue volunteer holding a snapper.

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Letters of Support I've Written

One of the fun and rewarding aspects of serving as an elected leader is when I receive a request for a letter of support, as well as letters of thanks I receive in return. I like writing them, and thought I'd share some from the past year.

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More Photos from This Past Week

Driving by the Gingerbread House at Santarella Gardens in Tyringham.

Geese by the Tanglewood Lions Gate

Spring doe who was especially friendly.

A quick hike up by Monk's Pond in Richmond. Thank you BNRC!

The Yardbirds.

Enjoying lunch with Mohican Tribal Liaison Sherry White and the Berkshire's own Russ Belanger, a world-renown bass fishing pro. We are trying to coordinate a Mohican community fishing outing for either this summer or next.

What the eft?

Nothing reminds me more of a Berkshire spring than spotting a red trillium!

Want to Learn More?

Please consider supporting my candidacy to represent you in the State House. To learn more, visit https://www.patrickwhiteberkshires.com

You can donate by clicking here:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/patrick-3rd

Or you can mail a check to:

Patrick Thomas White Committee
81 Hawthorne Street
Lenox, MA 01240

I've reached about 35% of my goal. Thanks for any help you can provide. I am in it to win it and am running to effect real change. I'd love to have your support.

Warmly,

Patrick White

PS: You can find detailed positions on my campaign website:

https://www.patrickwhiteberkshires.com

Previous Notes

Week ending 5/24/2024
Lessons from Wyoming. read more

Week ending 5/17/2024
The Politics of Water. read more

Week ending 5/10/2024
Paul Revere and Smitty Pignatelli. read more

Week ending 5/3/2024
Fixing Assessments, Aging in Place, EMS. read more

Week ending 4/26/2024
Swinging for the Fences. read more

Week ending 4/19/2024
Housing - Trails - Internet - Healthcare - Singing Praise. read more

Week ending 4/12/2024
Dog Day Afternoons. read more

Week ending 4/5/2024
Remembering Searles Middle School. read more

Week ending 3/29/2024
It's all about the jobs. read more

Week ending 3/22/2024
Snow - Taxes - Childcare - Grants - School Play read more

Week ending 3/15/2024
Economic development, family farms, why just water? read more

Week ending 3/8/2024
Affordable housing, Climate Advisory Board, Multicultural Bridge, economic development, ROR filing. read more

Week ending 3/1/2024
West Stockbridge rent control brief, PCB radio interview, cancer and the river, reducing property taxes. read more