The event was a big success—collecting almost 50 Christmas trees and other holiday greens and multiple boxes of food donations and $1,700 for the Lee Food Pantry, which serves residents from several communities in the area.
In his letter to the editor, William Foster writes: “I feel that the recommendation for the road to be one-way is very short sighted. The people that have built this town to be the “Best Small Town in America” have done so with few problems using the lake road.”
In her letter to the editor, Sharon Gregory writes: “This is a facility for the community-at-large. We receive partial funding from other government sources and environmental trusts. Thus, the Town does NOT bear all the costs.”
In her letter to the editor, Christine Ward writes: “We respectfully request the Select Board endorse/adopt the comprehensive Lake Mansfield Recreation Area improvement plan as provided in the KZLA report. It is a balanced, expert report.”
In her letter to the editor, Dana Dapolito writes: “…the benefits of maintaining and protecting this beautiful Lake for present and future generations of our citizens was preferable to building a more efficient two-way road.”
In his letter to the editor, Bobby Houston writes: "The notion that a last-minute straw poll or petition can somehow act as a unofficial plebiscite is worrying to me."
In her letter to the editor, Nadine Foster writes: "While I’m sure most, if not all, would agree this road [Lake Mansfield Road] does need serious attention. However, must we go above and beyond what is deemed necessary?"
The entire area around Lake Mansfield is a delicate ecosystem surrounded by homes on a hill from which storm water and sediment run into the lake. Simply repaving the road won’t solve any of this, and town officials say such a measure will simply increase car speeds.
The Lake Mansfield Comprehensive Improvements Plan concentrates on three focus areas that have significant impact on how the entire space is utilized: Lake Mansfield Road, the recreation/parking area near the beach, and the boat launch on the southern end of the lake.
The Great Barrington Fire Department would like to remind everyone to remain off the ice. Due to the warm winter it is not safe. If you witness someone fall through the ice please call 911 and wait for rescue personnel to arrive.
In her letter to the editor, Sharon Gregory writes: "This recreational area is nearby town, linking walkable areas from Main Street to the Lake and incorporates a hiking trail in between. It is a unique feature."
It’s a “unique lake in Berkshire County. There are few so close to downtown … It’s not private and just for town residents. It’s a public resource in walking distance from several neighborhoods, and for visitors."
-- Great Barrington Town Planner Christopher Rembold
In his letter to the editor, Jonathan Hankin writes: "Lake Mansfield is, and should continue to be, a true community asset. Much of what has been explored and presented to date by the design team fails to reflect this point of view."
The annual Martin Luther King service will reflect the joint themes of social action and awareness, and will include inspirational readings as well as music by the Temple Anshe Amunim and First Baptist Church choirs.
Town Planner Chris Remold has launched a web survey for people who can’t come to the forums. He also hopes to record the forum or stream it on CTSB-TV. (See link to survey in this story.)
