Cheshire Wants to Sell Reservoir Land to the State

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Cheshire hopes to receive nearly $1 million from the state in the possible sale of land near West Mountain Road.

The Selectmen said Tuesday that the state in the past has shown interest in the more than 700-acre parcel that holds a retired reservoir the town no longer uses. The state wants to preserve it as natural forest, and it abuts the Mont Greylock State Reservation.

"There is no current or need for that land specific to water so there is no reason to keep it," Town Administrator Mark Webber said. "The state has expressed an interest in the past and ... you will never know the difference if you own it or the state owns it."

The Kitchen Brook watershed had been used in used in the past as a backup public water supply but the board had determined to remove it from the Department of Environmental Protection list earlier this fall so it could be sold.

Webber said the anticipated amount the state will offer will most likely be in the $1 million range — the state once tried to buy the land before but the town refused because they wanted to hold on to the reservoir.

The state had apparently evinced interest in expanding the state reservation in that area about a decade ago.

Webber said the sale proceeds would go into free cash and could be used to pay off debts, but only debts with terms of five years or longer — this would include the Hoosac Valley High School renovation and the new firetruck.

"That would free up a lot of money and improve our fiscal position for a number of years to come," Webber said. "For instance, we could apply a portion of $50,000 for the next 20 years to offset long-term debt."

Webber said the town could carve out some of the land to keep for their own. Francesconi said in the past they looked at holding 200 acres for Cheshire.

Public Works Director Peter LeFebvre suggested setting some of the land aside for a new cemetery near West Mountain Road.

"You are going to need a cemetery," he said. "Ours is almost full and we need a place to go."

Town meeting would have to approve any sale of land.

Webber said the town will soon have to pay $15,000 to stay in the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's Kinder Morgan Natural Gas Pipeline Working group.

The group advocates for member towns that the proposed pipeline effects.

He said there is no money allocated in the budget and the group fee and town meeting would have to approve a transfer from free cash.

Francesconi asked what the group actually does for the town and if is worth the money.

Webber said it would be seen as negligent if they left the group now after already going so far. He said if the project goes becomes a reality, Cheshire will be in a better position to negotiate with Kinder Morgan.

"It's like you are damned if you do and damned if you don't because you need some representation, yet you are spending money you don't have on things you don't have any control over," Francesconi said.

Although the special town meeting warrant has not been approved yet, this item will be on it. The town meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7 at the Community Center.

Also lined up to be on the special town meeting warrant is a request from the Water Department to transfer $34,755 from water operating surplus account to purchase a new four-wheel drive pickup truck with a plow.

Francesconi said the Water Department wants the truck for the newly hired superintendent Travis DelRatez and the surplus account consists of water-user money.

The board voted to join another pipeline opposition group formed in the north central part of the state. It is free to join the group and it is made up of towns that have voted to take a stand against the pipeline.

They hold meetings in Greenfield every two weeks.

"I think we should join the coalition, and I don't know if we will ever get over there ... but maybe one of our interested residents will be willing to drive down," Selectman Paul Astorino said.

The Planning board asked Webber to apply for a BRPC grant that would have the commission help craft bylaws that would legalize medical marijuana facilities and in-law apartment zoning.

The board had no issues with the requests, however, Francesconi asked why the Planning Board cared about in-law apartment zoning.

Planning Board member Peter Traub said the town currently has zoning restrictions on apartments and it would be illegal to add additional living quarters on to a home for another family member.

Traub added that this may help the town receive the grant because it shows diversified living.

The Selectmen told the Planning Board to go ahead. If the town receives the grant, any bylaws drafted would have to be approved by town meeting.  drafted, they will go before town meeting.

Ciskowski suggested adding funding for a master plan to the grant.

Webber said it would not be a bad idea and even if it is declined, BRPC may still help get the town started.

"We know they aren't going to fund the whole thing, but there is no reason they can't help in the first steps and help you get organized to go forward," Webber said.

Traub said he will create a master plan committee.

Council on Aging and Senior Center representative Karmen B. Field-Mitchell said the town will be holding a 103rd birthday party for resident Eileen Nuttall, who is the state's oldest veteran.

"It's an honor to have a vet reach that age," Field-Mitchell said. "A lot of time our vets don't make it that far."

Cheshire Tag Sale and Bazaar