When selectboard Chair Steve Bannon opened the floor to comments from the audience, most seemed to agree that, in addition to placing restrictions on the stores, the larger question remains about what kind of image the tourism-minded town wants to project.
Fulcrum attorney Kate McCormick indicated that there were delays in the studies required of the applicant on sound, noise and odor and the peer reviews of those studies by the town.
The proposal, first made public in September, has alarmed residents of the neighborhood, whose concerns range from noise and odors to the effect of the Fulcrum project on property values and the aforementioned impact on the water supply.
In the spirit of reflection and self-examination, herein lies The Edge's second annual Great Barrington year in review. It includes some select stories from other South County towns as well, along with embedded links to Edge stories for more information.
Leigh Davis openly questioned why her fellow board members wanted to revise certain policies and whether they were a response to actions she has taken since her election to the board in May.
Nova Farms President Ross said the company "goal has always been ... to comply with all Mass CCC regulations" and Nova has "worked hand-in-hand with the Mass CCC since our suspensions to make sure that no stone has been left unturned."
The fact is that the people of Massachusetts, and specifically of Great Barrington, voted in statewide referendum to allow this operation. We don’t necessarily learn about the downsides until the moment of truth is upon us.
On several occasions during the hearing, Great Barrington Selectboard Chairman Steve Bannon rapped his gavel and warned hecklers that they would be removed from the room if they persisted.
In declining to recommend the permit to the selectboard, which will consider it on Monday night, the health board said it needed more information on noise, odor and possible effects on groundwater.
In a letter to the editor, John Beacco writes, 'Restricting itself to the text of the bylaw and avoiding its social, economic and moral implications is expedient and not at all helpful to those living near the proposed project, or the selectboard that is charged as the special permit-granting authority.'
“We can’t make a judgment on the social or economic merits of this project. That’s the job of the Selectboard. But the application does meet the requirements of our zoning bylaws.”
-- Great Barrington Planning Board Vice Chair Malcolm Fick
In their joint statement, the current and former prosecutors, law enforcement, Department of Justice and judicial leaders corrected the factual inaccuracies in Barr’s remarks and cautioned against a return to past failed approaches.
Fulcrum has signed a purchase-and-sales agreement to buy 5.78 undeveloped acres from the Nolan family at 22 Van Deusenville Road to construct and operate a cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility.
