Editor's note: The Swap Shop reopened within a few days with a new look and rules. This article was assembled while the shop was still closed.

Imagine Carl Nett's surprise when he stopped at the Transfer Station August 27 to find a sign on the Swap Shop door - "Closed Until Further Notice." He soon typed out an alarm on ConnectSandisfield/Facebook. "Just got back from the transfer station. Swap shop was 'ordered' closed this morning and all content removed. WTH?"

He took offense at the way it was done. "Seemed fine to me. And in any case, wouldn't one request a clean up, etc before slamming the doors shut? And wouldn't it be appropriate to get public input/reaction before slamming the doors shut? Makes no sense to me at all. Someone has a lot of explaining to do."

Then Stuff Hit the Fan

Right away Barbara Cormier owned up to taking part in the Swap Shop raid, with help from Jeff Bye and Linda Riiska. DPW Supervisor Derek Boomsma innocently unlocked the place for them.

In answer to Carl's post, Barbara asked if he thought cracked, rotten eggs in cartons was OK, moldy books with pages stuck, broken glass on the floor, children's games with pieces stuck together, plus other collections of people's cast-offs. She added that these complaints "in no way reflected on Tim [the custodian], this is not his job," and that the shop would stay closed until it was cleaned up.

Almost instantly, some 35 residents responded with a variety of invective, outrage, or gratitude for getting the place cleaned up.

One reader defended the custodian: "Tim, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the transfer station and the swap shop that I absolutely love. . . . I hope today's events do not prevent you from keeping this position, you truly are appreciated." and gave him a "thumbs up" emoji.

Cudgels came out

One blamed the closing on the Usual Suspects, New Yorkers: "Just more wealthy people in this town taking it over slowly piece by piece, that's all."

Another: "Seems reactionary; if there is chaos people can still find something useful."

Another: "I was there last weekend. Looked fine to me. Very sad!"

Our Treasure Island

Two compared our shop with those in other towns: "In New Marlborough they do that every so often, they clean it out when it gets overloaded so they can start fresh. Or at least clear some of the junk out that nobody wants."

Someone suggested: "Egremont will often clean it out then start all over."

Someone wrote: "It needed to be cleaned out and it was, it is being reorganized. Not a bad thing. Maybe rules have to be set."

And one calming voice to sum things up, "Every town has a treasure island at the dump. Thank you [to those who are cleaning and organizing the shop ]. . . ."