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.
The battle royale involved the planning and select boards. For weeks, the two panels had been at odds over which should be the special-permit-granting authority in regards to the marijuana production and sales facilities, and whether most, if not all, of the facilities should require a special permit.
Friday, March 23, is the last day nomination papers can be obtained from the town clerk for candidates who want to be on the ballot for the Tuesday, May 15, nonpartisan municipal elections.
“You want uses that drive foot traffic. At the same time, there are economics … ”
— Great Barrington Planning Board chair Brandee Nelson
“If I’d known what town counsel said, I’d have voted differently.”
Planning Board member Jack Musgrove, on his vote to recommend the proposed 95-room Berkshire Hotel on the site of the Searles School
In his letter to the editor, Nick Stanton writes: “The transcripts, especially [Planning Board member] Mr. Musgrove’s words … make it abundantly clear that our singular understanding of the intent of the bylaw at that time was to facilitate the preservation of historic structures.”
A hotel in the middle of town should be an amenity to the town. Rather than wait for events to unfold, I felt we had to seize some initiative, and show them what an alternative [to their design] might be.”
— Jack Musgrove, member of the Great Barrington Planning Board
“Towns can get what they demand. If you let [the business] run over you, they’ll run over you.”
— Jack Musgrove, Great Barrington Planning Board
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