The report the task force presented Monday night said that the preliminary cost estimate for an 18-foot-wide paved road "including subsurface reconstruction, proper drainage and stabilization of the lake edge is at least $1 million."
The selectboard announced that, about a year ago, it had commissioned a report by David Prickett of DPC Engineering to gather information on the water systems in the town, what the capital needs are and whether there are redundancies.
Housatonic Water Works maintains nearly 90,000 linear feet of water mains, mostly cast iron installed in the 1880s. Although these lines remain in good condition, they are more reactive to chlorine which can cause increased iron sediment.
Housatonic Water Works Co-owner Jim Mercer explained that there is no threat to public health. Nor does the unilateral administrative order from DEP state that there is such a threat.
Born and raised in Great Barrington, Anson Jones said his earliest recollections were of that “pleasant little village in Berkshire County, on the banks of the Housatonic [River]..."
Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin noted that it was hard to justify the rate increase without more details about repairs and upgrades – and the schedule to implement them.
“There is no room for error when you’re dealing with a public water supply. There was insufficient regulation around public drinking water in Great Barrington until this zoning code was put in."
-- Richard Dohoney, attorney for Building Inspector Edwin May
The land in question falls under Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regulations that prohibit working land within 100-feet of a reservoir and wetlands, and the town’s rules that put a 500 foot buffer between a reservoir and any permitted activity.
By my lights, the clear-cutters bought some lake-side property and, regardless of any consequences or precautions against polluting a water supply, decided it was their right actually to see the lake.
"We have identified 79 parking spots – 60 in lots and 19 along side streets – but I need more help in selling this to merchants."
-- Parking Task Force Chair Jennifer Clark
