North Adams Transcript
WILLIAMSTOWN -- The past 15 months of cramped quarters will soon come to an end at the Bonnie Lea Farm off Simonds Road, as efforts are underway to build a new barn to replace the one destroyed by fire in August 2008.
Co-owner Richard DeMayo said Monday the new barn will end the crowding of animals, hay, supplies and equipment into the farm’s remaining barns, and allow for some things that have had to be left outside since the fire to be brought back inside.
"We’re really crowded indoors," he said.
He said when the farm got hay delivered over the summer it had to be put everywhere possible in the remaining barns and in part of the arena.
"You feel crowded. There are things that seem to be in the way more now, and you have no place to put them," he said.
He said it feels good to see the months of planning, determining a budget, and getting the permits for the project finally come to fruition.
"We had to get all the stuff together and figure out what to build," he said.
Ron Baldwin, owner of Baldwin Carpenters and Builders LLC of Williamstown, said Monday work began on building the barn in mid-October, and he plans to have it nearly complete by the first week of December, weather permitting.
"We’re doing structural work right now, and probably by the end of the week, most of the structure will be up," he said.
In addition, the barns trusses need to be installed followed by a
The barn, which is 30 feet wide and 140 feet long, is being built next to an existing indoor arena, and they will be attached.
The barn that burnt down after being struck by lightning was 60 feet by 60 feet, and could provide shelter for up to 15 horses as well as shavings, hay and other supplies and equipment.
Baldwin, a family friend, helped build a small barn for the DeMayo’s about 21Ž2 weeks after the fire. A group of volunteers gathered at the farm to help erect a barn 1Ž4 the size of the one that burned down to house some of the horses displaced by the fire.
"When we did that one it was more of a work bee .... This one feels like it’s more part of something for my business," Baldwin said.
DeMayo said with fewer horses being kept at the farm over the past year, the new barn will be primarily used to shelter hay and equipment.
It could eventually be home to a couple horses, he said.
DeMayo’s daughter, Lisa, said Monday, "I think we’re excited that barn will be able to hold all the hay for the farm next year. It’s the first time in a long time we’ll have the freedom to use the whole space in the arena."
She said she refused to let the farm go into more debt after the fire by building a new barn to replace the one that was lost, and it’s good to finally see construction move forward.
"We’re keeping it simple," she said.
Baldwin has been working to get good prices on materials, and by waiting a year, they’ve been able to get more for their money than they would have in the fall of 2008, she said.
They’re also keeping the project local by getting materials from R.K. Miles Inc., and enlisting the help of Jim Galusha and his excavating company.
DeMayo said the outpouring of community support over the past year has been wonderful, and much of that support has gone into helping cover the cost of the new barn.
"A little bit of insurance money and a lot of community support made this happen," he said.
To reach Meghan Foley, e-mail mfoley@thetranscript.com.
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