Times have changed, but the formula remains stuck in 1949. The wealth disparities between neighboring towns simply did not exist at anything like their current scale. The founders of the regional school system could not have foreseen the inequity their formula has imposed on most towns today.
In his letter to the editor, Bobby Houston writes: “It is highly cynical of CDC to compare their [100 Bridge Street] project to Pinewoods in Stockbridge.”
In her letter to the editor, Cara Davis writes: “The sooner Great Barrington can generate more affordable housing stock, the more robust will be our social and economic vibrancy… To miss this opportunity to move this plan forward would be a devastating loss.”
In her letter to the editor, Beth Carlson of Stockbridge writes: "The current plan is not the best that it could be, the best that Great Barrington or the CDC could do to address the needs of Berkshire County’s population."
Drumm said the only chemical smells in the air near the wastewater treatment plant came from the 8-acre brownfield next to it during an attempt at bioremediation over the last two years.
In her letter to the editor, Sharon Gregory writes: “Wouldn’t it be a better to plan and approve expeditiously much-needed affordable housing projects that are NOT on brownfields?”
“The idea of bringing this into a residential neighborhood is hard for me to swallow. So many things that have happened...things we bet on and lost.”
--- Great Barrington Selectboard Chair Sean Stanton
“It is my observation that it’s too bad that [the affordable housing] is wedged between a sewer waste plant and a toxic waste field.”
--- ZBA member Michael Wise
“Capitalism has its limits. I’m a capitalist but it has to end somewhere. In this case I am for spending taxpayer money.”
-- George Beebe, speaking on behalf of granting $170,000 of Community Preservation Act money to Windy Hill Farm for an Agriculture Preservation Restriction
More than half the CPA funds would go to applicants for two affordable housing projects due to what the CPA committee believes is their “immediacy” and “need.”
In her letter to the editor, Nan Wile writes: “Why not (better) develop infrastructure like high speed Internet that would bring competitive businesses to town?”
If the state Department of Environmental Protection will allow it, Biopath Solutions is ready and willing to return to the Bridge Street site and finish the job.
Economic development promised by both the 100 Bridge and hotel projects on Bridge Street helped the town get a $2.1 million state grant to work on roads and utilities along this emerging commercial corridor.
Bridge Street, the link between downtown Great Barrington and its eastern districts, is emerging as a significant commercial corridor, with $65 million in proposed commercial developments, plus $2 million in road and bridge upgrades.
“From a practical standpoint, and from a health and safety standpoint, if we cap rather than bioremediate, there is virtually no impact on development schedule. This project has an incredible benefit for the entire community and entire region."
--- Tim Geller, executive director, Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire
“I am excited to see what we are going to be able to achieve. The Berkshire Co-op Market is in the best operational shape I have seen yet. We have the community support and operational talent to create something exceptional, innovative and ground breaking."
-- Zack Sheppard
