To the editor:
“A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.”
— Henry David Thoreau
The historic township of New Marlborough is nestled like a “Diamond in the Rough” in the southwestern corner of Massachusetts. It is just one of the many “Crown Jewels” of Berkshire County that makes tourism such a vibrant economic stronghold in the county. While, other towns in Berkshire County can proudly boast of their iconic cultural attractions such as the Norman Rockwell Museum, Tanglewood, Jacobs Pillow, and Chesterwood, New Marlborough’s claim to fame is its scenic beauty, rustic charm, and quiet solitude.
On April 11 at 6 p.m. residents of New Marlborough will have the opportunity to attend a public hearing at the Town Hall to learn more about the proposed “Temporary Moratorium on Marijuana Businesses.” This would establish a process to proceed slowly, cautiously, and with due diligence in adopting adequate bylaws governing the implementation of the new state marijuana laws for the town of New Marlborough.
One year ago today, on April 8, 2017, the New Marlborough Planning Board held a public hearing on their recommendation for placing a “Temporary Moratorium on Solar Panel Installations.” Our Planning Board member, who is the representative to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, offered wise counsel to all other members present, in reference to solar panel installations. He stated, there was a need to “proceed with caution” and he further claimed “it would be prudent to take time to write a bylaw which encourages wise and predictable land use.”He concluded his remarks by reminding all members present, “as a public board the Planning Board must exercise due diligence.”
In regard to the current marijuana laws enacted by the State of Massachusetts, I concur with the insightful words of wisdom offered by our Planning Board member at the hearing just one year ago today that “there is a need to proceed with caution” and “it would be prudent to take time to write a bylaw which encourages wise and predictable land use.”A vote for the “temporary moratorium on marijuana businesses” in New Marlborough would accomplish this important objective.
On April 13 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall, voters in New Marlborough will have the opportunity to cast a yes vote to preserve their little “Diamond in the Rough” for an interim period of time while giving Planning Board members the time necessary to “write a bylaw which encourages wise and predicable land use.”Or to cast a no vote which I assume would mean there is no need to “proceed with caution.”No need for “due diligence,” defined as ”the care that a reasonable person exercises to avoid harm to other persons or their property.“
The residents of New Marlborough enjoy their little “Diamond in the Rough,” as humble as it may be, and my guess is they will pack the Town Hall and stand shoulder to shoulder to preserve and protect their little gem until adequate bylaws can be written and due diligence can be exercised; just as we were properly advised one year ago today.
Lucinda Shmulsky
New Marlborough
