BECKET-WASHINGTON ECONOMIC SUMMIT

On March 12^th a lively group crowded into the Athenaeum to discuss both short-term and long-term solutions for our community in light of the economic crisis. It was an inspiring and encouraging evening!

Through a process of defining problems, brainstorming ideas, selecting solutions, and volunteering, we were able to get several initiatives underway!

Below are the solutions that are currently in progress.

Barter/Swap Network. This may include a barter system in which people exchange services and labor hour for hour; a put-and-take at a given location; and/or a bulletin board (actual or online) for people to post items free for the taking.

Community Communication. This in many ways is related to all of the solutions. The idea is to find ways to get the word out about community events and services; to promote opportunities to socialize and get to know community members; and to create an easy means for people to connect about things like carpooling, swapping, etc.

Protect/Expand Becket-Washington School. The idea here is to stabilize the school, so that the threat of closing does not arise each time the district budget is tight, and to make the school an even more active, engaged part of the community. Possibilities transitioning to a K-8^th school, becoming a magnet school, and more. The hope is to keep jobs in Becket-Washington, and attract more families to our towns.

Develop Energy Conservation and Alternative Energy. Possibilities include practical suggestions for town institutions and individuals to lower their utility costs; informing people about energy audits; and developing more sustainable long-term local energy sources through, for example, wind or hydro power.

Becket-Washington Town Farm. This is a long-range solution to the problem of food cost and availability. The farm would provide fresh, natural eggs, milk, meat, etc. for the community. The food could either be purchased directly or through “farm dollars.” Farm dollars would be earned through working on the farm, to one’s ability, on a sliding scale.

Community Garden. This project is already underway, using land next to the Becket Town Hall!

Local Recreation. If there is more available locally, for all ages—sports, potlucks, clubs, etc.—we won’t all have to drive so many miles just to “get out.”

This is only the beginning. Many good ideas were set aside for the moment, but are quite worthy and may well be developed in due time. In the library there are big sheets of paper posted for each of the above solutions, and for other solutions--we welcome one and all to come in and add ideas, questions, suggestions, or brilliant insights.

It was very exciting that a number of people at the summit volunteered to get ideas rolling, and there have already been some meetings/actions towards the above solutions.

While some of these solutions are well underway, others need more people to really get off the ground. If you would like to join in one of the above solutions, e-mail: BWCommunity@gmail.com.

There will be another meeting to check-in, brainstorm, coordinate…and, of course, share food and drink, on April 28^th at 7p.m. at the Becket Athenaeum.