Ultimately, the petition requesting the town acquire a 35-acre tract failed to accumulate the required two-thirds vote, with a final tally of 135–65 against the petition.
Superior Court Judge John Agostini had ruled that federal law trumps state law in such cases and applied eminent domain, allowing Tennessee Gas to have the easement in Otis State Forest, despite Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, that protects old-growth forests from development.
The 'Resisting the Pipeline' celebration will move to Lower Spectacle Pond/Otis State Forest in Sandisfield for a solidarity rally from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, that will include musical guests Ben Grosscup, Kate O'Conner, Bonner McAllester, and Steve Adams.
