To the Editor:
I have sent the following to the Great Barrington Selectboard:
After waiting decades for improvements on Lake Mansfield and the associated road, we now have a comprehensive and balanced recommendation. The recommendation would provide a legacy of environmental stewardship, a unique and safe recreational facility and a safe, accessible road. If approved, this message would teach the next generations valuable lessons and provide a much improved asset.
Some have asked about costs. Our consultant, KZLA, estimated that the proposed ONE-WAY road to be LESS COSTLY than a two-way road. Further, the one-way road can be accomplished with the support of potential grant funding for water quality and recreation improvements. In fact, a TWO-WAY road option is NOT recommended because of the greatly limited space, the concern over permitting issues and the failure of a two-way road to accomplish improvement goals.
Finally, this is a facility for the community-at-large. We receive partial funding from other government sources and environmental trusts, much like the library. Thus, the Town does NOT bear all the costs.
So, doesn’t it really boil down to what we value?
Shouldn’t we support this proposal as a community?
Sharon Gregory
Great Barrington
