Because of this commitment, the town is dedicated to careful planning to assure a growth rate that the community can handle given the condition of town roads, availability of services and continued protection of natural resources. Internal factors such as lack of finances, outmoded zoning by-laws and a volunteer government, compounded by external elements such as recent improvements to Route 116 and an expensive new inn and recreation facilities at Swift River have severely taxed the time and ability of volunteer board members to cope with the increase in work load.

Although the population density is still low compared to other towns, Plainfield is growing rapidly. After decades of negative growth, the population has almost doubled in the past 20 years. It has exceeded population predictions made 20 years ago when a 40% increase was projected. The actual growth was 70%. Recent predictions are that the population will

Plainfield Mass is located in Northwestern Massachusetts, bordered by Hawley on the north, Ashfield on the northeast and east, Cummington on the south, Windsor on the west, and Savoy on the northwest. Plainfield is 28 miles northeast of Pittsfield, 29 miles southwest of Greenfield, and 117 miles northwest of Boston.