There is a Voluntary Water Restriction in effect. The restriction is due to low Ipswich River stream flow levels and is in advance of mandatory restrictions that may start as early as May 1st. All residents are asked to curtail outdoor water use between the hours of 9 A.M. and 5 P.M each day.

Also, the next round of hydrant flushing is scheduled to begin April 23rd. The flushing schedule and information about the water restrictions are available on our website - www.topsfieldpublicworks.org.

Household Metals and White Goods pick-up is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16, Thursday, May 17, and Friday, May 18, 2012. There is no charge for this collection; items must be curbside by 7am the same day your trash is picked up.

Metal items include anything that contains at least 80% or more of metal.

Household white goods include stoves, washers, dryers, micro-waves, dishwashers and, dehumidifiers.

Items that contain Freon, such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners need to be registered with the Board of Selectmen's Office prior to the pick up date. Please call (978) 887-1500.

On Saturday, May 19, 2012, Topsfield will be having a town-wide clean-up day. All residents are asked to volunteer their time between 8am and 12pm and come down to Town Hall to sign up for a street to be cleaned. Bags and gloves will be provided.

Come see Topsfield's newest addition on the grounds of the Parson Capen House on Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 11:30am to 2:00pm.

This event is free and open to the public. A reception with refreshments and displays will be in the Gould Barn.

The fundraising continues by the Topsfield Playground Committee on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 for a new playground for Steward School. Join us at 11:15 am at Proctor School for this month's walkathon.

Boy Scout Troop 81 will be collecting bottles and cans on Saturday, June 9, 2012. Either place your deposits on your curb by 10am or take to the Fairgrounds (follow signs for location of site).

Your support is appreciated. For more information, contact topsfieldtroop81@comcast.net

The Topsfield Playground Committee is seeking donations and "in-kind" contributions by Saturday, June 30, 2012 to relocate and replace the Steward School playground. The playground is often closed during the school year, sometimes for weeks at a time, because of the run-down equipment, bee infestation, and muddy conditions. Please contact Carol Devellian, Meredith Massaro, & Glen Gollrad @ topsfieldplayground@gmail.com if you can help out!

In anticipation of a dry summer, Middleton's Stream Team, Farmers Market, Garden Club, Department of Public Works, Board of Health, and Conservation Commission are sponsoring a community program with The Great American Rain Barrel Company to offer their water-saving barrels for $69, a 42% discount off the retail price. This discount is open to Topsfield residents.

The Town of Topsfield issues water restrictions and bans when necessary. So to learn more about how you can harvest your rain water, provide water to your gardens, and help protect the Ipswich River, click here.

The Topsfield Historical Society is looking for volunteers for the Strawberry Festival. Hull and chop strawberries on Friday, June 8, 2012, sell tickets and serve shortcake in 2 hour shifts on Saturday, June 9, 2012.

If you are interested, call Barbara at 978-500-0711.

The Topsfield Conservation Commission welcomes interested citizens to join The Tree Planning Committee, appointed by the Conservation Commission on an annual basis. There are six members, including the current Tree Warden, Dave Bond. Individuals with a background in arborculture, landscape design, horticulture, or forestry are encouraged to volunteer for this committee. Funds are obtained by a vote of the Town at the Annual or Special Town meetings, by donations from the Garden Clubs, and from many other sources.

A long-standing Topsfield tradition is the Tree Planning Committee's participation with the two elementary schools in the annual Arbor Day program. The fourth-grade students each are given a tree seedling to take home and plant. Many a home in Topsfield has an "Arbor Day Tree," in its front or back yard as a result of these programs. Please contact the Conservation Commission office for more information and with any questions: 978-887-1510 or conservation@topsfield-ma.gov