Adams Conservation Commission Approve Glen Modifications
ADAMS, Mass. — The Conservation Commission has approved some small modifications of the Greylock Glen trail plan in the preparation of public bidding.
Paul Jahnige, with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, asked the commission last week to make minor tweaks to the plan, including eliminating some trails, cutting back on unneeded erosion control, and restoring current trails instead of building new ones.
"I am getting to know the Glen much better, and I think those of you who know the Glen know it is not a simple place for many reasons," Jahnige said. "We got out there and we started doing work and we saw things in the plan that did not make perfect sense."
MassDCR's proposal includes some 14 miles of new trails for multiple recreational uses; another 15 miles of existing trails to be rehabilitated and restoring or closing 13.5 miles of existing trails. Initial plans had been approved six years ago. This latest plan was developed with DCR's consultants Dodson & Flinker and Wetlands & Wildlife LLC. Some $3 million has been set aside for the work,
The plan calls for creating nearly 14 miles of new trails at the Glen to provide for multiple recreational opportunities; rehabilitating and stewarding nearly 15 miles of existing trails; and abandoning, closing, and restoring approximately 13.5 miles of existing trails that are in poor condition, lead off of Glen property or have poor trail alignments.
He said the only mildly controversial change is to repair an existing circuit road and reduce a boardwalk structure to limit alteration to wetlands.
Before voting, Chairman James Fassell asked that William Lattrell, an ecologist and wetlands scientist who often helps the commission, vet the changes.
But the other commissioners agreed that the changes were so minor that they could simply approve them.
"It appears to me that a tremendous amount of effort has gone into this and the tweaks proposed look to me like pure commonsense," Commissioner David Lipinski said. "I don't see any reason to prolong this anymore."
Commissioner Thomas Robinson agreed.
"What we would be doing is micromanaging day-to-day activities at the Glen and I don't feel as though this board should be that involved in simple decisions that are common sense," he said. "They want to reduce costs and make the project more viable."
Fassell then asked if the commission felt it was appropriate to send Latrell to the Glen during construction.
Jahnige said because the project is a DCR project, it can oversee construction. He added that there are plenty of people watching the project and that Lattrell's oversight would not be critical to the project.
"As you know there are folks keeping an eye on the Glen and I haven't heard anything negative yet," he said. "We want to keep stakeholders in the loop as well so if we do make a mistake or a contractor does, we are going to get right on top of it."
Commissioner Corey Bishop agreed and said Latrell is only needed if the commission must take action on something it does not totally understand.
"Because of the sensitivity of the project itself, I think there are enough watchdogs up there making sure that things are going the way they should," Bishop said. "As long as an excavator isn't up there in the middle of the wetlands, I am really not too concerned."
Director of Community Development Donna Cesan said the town will be responsible for maintaining the trails after their completion so the commission will be involved.
Jahnige said work has begun on building some new trails, clearing some trail heads and making trail repairs.
He said the project will be in multiple phases and will take a long time. Although he cannot immediately pinpoint any more modifications to the plan, he expects to come before the commission with more alterations in the future as the project develops.
He also anticipated coming before the commission in a year asking to extend the order of conditions for another three years.
Jahnige said he looks forward to working on the Glen.
"I am developing an appreciation for the Glen," he said. "It is a beautiful place and there is some good stuff going up there."
Tags: conservation commission, DCR, Greylock Glen, trails,
