Rail Trail Extension Threatened By Adams Corporate Park

By: Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
10:51PM / Wednesday, October 05, 2011Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS, Mass. — Town officials are frustrated with the tenants at the Corporate Park because they have yet to sign easements that would allow Berkshire Bike Path Council extend the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to North Adams. The delay could cause the project to lose $2.5 million in federal funds earmarked for the project.

The board approved on Wednesday giving the five tenants 10 days to sign the easements before the town explores other options, which could include taking the land through eminent domain.

"It's a delay tactic and we're going to lose $2.5 million," Selectman Scott Nichols said. "We can't keep delaying this thing and I want to put some teeth on it."

The "teeth" is the threat of eminent domain but Selectmen Michael Ouellette and Jason Hnatonko opposed using that tactic. Both Selectmen said they want to invite the tenants to meeting to work out an agreement.

"I would like to know what their problem is," Ouellette said. "I want to do the trail... but I'm not a proponent of eminent domain."

Board of Selectmen Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington said those businesses have been invited to multiple meetings and the council has gone out of their way to accommodate their concerns. The project is already past its deadline for the money but state officials have given the town "leeway" to get the easements.

"They've been invited to the table many times and have not responded," Harrington said. "We have to get this done."

At April's town meeting voters approved to accept the easements "at no cost to the town" because the tenants did not express desire to get paid for it. Harrington said on Wednesday that has changed and some of the tenants now want money. Nichols said that was "ludicrous" because the town has given them tax breaks in the form of tax increment financing (TIF) agreements.

"I have a real problem with that," Nichols said. "Fine. We'll give them $1,000 and take away their TIFs."

Many of the board members said the land for the one mile extension "unusable." Most of the land is behind trees and many of the easements would only allow temporary access to construct the trail, Nichols said.

The goal of the council for the trail to eventually connect Vermont to Connecticut. The trail currently runs from Pittsfield to Adams and this section will connect it to North Adams, where the council is planning to extend further into Williamstown. Many members of the council and local trail advocates filled the meeting room Wednesday to support the project.

The vote was 3-2 with Ouellette and Hnatonko voting against because of the threat of eminent domain.

In other business, Harrington reported that the town has received a $33,000 grant to perform a feasibility study on regionalization its emergency dispatch services. The town currently operates it own dispatch center and the study will look at possible cost savings by contracting that service out.

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And that's why Adams has failed to grow and prosper over the years. Too many opportunists, wannabees and obstructionists. If, just for once, the town managed as a whole to work together for the betterment of all, oh my how amazing it would be.
from: Townee	on: 10-06-2011 06:00AM I Agree (43) - I Disagree (17)

Those businesses had their hands out for Tax Breaks and a cheap lot, which was made available to them at taxpayers expense because the additional employment was "good for the local economy" Now its time for them to "put up" to help the area. Sign the damn agreement!
from: Bike Guy	on: 10-06-2011 09:19AM I Agree (51) - I Disagree (21)

How about giving us townspeople the names and phone numbers of the obstructionist business so we can "give them an encouraging call"?
from: BobD	on: 10-06-2011 12:15PM I Agree (30) - I Disagree (17)

I agree. Rescind the tax breaks immediately for any corporate in the park who doesn't act in the best interests of the town. You can boot them for all I care. How many jobs have some of these "takers" actually provided? Other than Shine and Adams Plumbing, I thing the numbers are quite low and not according to their commitment. This is just disgusting behavior. They should be ashamed of themselves. Yes, PLEASE give us the names of these jokers. I'd be happy to give them a piece of my mind.
from: R U Kidding?	on: 10-06-2011 12:52PM I Agree (26) - I Disagree (17)

I have not had a TIF tax incentive. An agreement was never reached for assessment of the property or any financial proposal for the 35000sq.ft. of land that is to be given up at just one business in the park. Liability issues have not been answered by the town. Still awaiting final drawings for the trail. The land and the buildings in the corporate park are not inexpensive, they pay extreme taxes, employ many people with good paying jobs, and contribute and donate to many of the town's organizations.
from: nice	on: 10-06-2011 01:42PM I Agree (33) - I Disagree (15)

Everyone needs to sacrifice. Give up the land. If the town loses the opportunity and the grant, you will definately hear from the citizenry. I'm sick and tired of this "what's in it for me" attititude of so many people in this town and the businesses who thing everyone owes them something. Be an obstructionist. Everyone else in town seems to be. Absolutely ridiculous selfishness.
from: BobD	on: 10-06-2011 02:45PM I Agree (26) - I Disagree (15)

First of the comments made from Bob D and R U Kidding me are just plain rediculus. Theese are the type of people that do nothing for the community but take! they provide no jobs and give nothing to town programs but form a oppion on something they have no idea about! Look at this way lets put the rail trail right through your back yard and let's allow the thieves and hoodlums to have easier access to steal.(Brilliant) not to mention you will be held reliable when they get hurt on your property.
from: degenerates	on: 10-06-2011 03:16PM I Agree (18) - I Disagree (26)

I would welcome the rail trail as a neighbor. As for :thieves and hoodlums" gaining access to my property, I suppose I should clock off the street, right?
from: Homeowner	on: 10-06-2011 04:42PM I Agree (16) - I Disagree (14)

I post this as a business owner and land owner. No, I am not located in the industrial park but I am friendly with many of the tenants that are. First of all the narrow minded people of Adams (and yes that is what makes up a majority of your town) better realize that they are a poorly managed town which I am sure is going about the rail trail extension in a " half-ass" way. I know that I would be very upset were the town to just barge in and take a portion of my property without due regard for the implications it may have on my business. Your town would be nothing except for a limestone quarry if you did not have the strong businesses that are located in the park. I am ashamed at some of the comments made about the businesses that are not against the rail trail - just against the way that the taking of the land will in all likelihood play out. Nothing surprises me in your town and I am sure there is more to the story then the businesses are being stubborn. Also given the very high tax rate you have - keep pushing the little business / industry your town has left. North Adams is always willing to work with a new business 110%. Maybe some of the corporate tenants should think about moving North. Smarten up Adams and do not destroy the few good things left in your town - TALK out a solution that everyone can be happy with. I again state as an observer of your government in action – Adams’ has a lot to learn!
from: Wrong way from NA	on: 10-06-2011 04:57PM I Agree (34) - I Disagree (10)

It's a joke, it's a sad, sad joke how poorly this town is run, and how ignorantly some of the people believe all the smoke that those morons that "run" this town blow up your chute! The fact of the matter is, these people don't follow through with anything. Maybe, just maybe if they wanted this thing so badly they would walk their selves into any one of these companies, and FOLLOW through! You ignorant people, can I am almost certain find out how much tax is paid in the park, and as for not employing anybody local? I know of one place there that has nothing but people from Adams. Yea, good idea drive the only business that keeps this town afloat just so you can have a bike trail without having to answer to anybody in the process!! God knows this town needs nothing more than another failing restaurant that can't pay it's taxes, a used clothing store or maybe a bar, yeah another bar would be really good for the town, and move them all into the industrial park so when people drive by on their bikes they can stop and talk to the drunks that have nothing in a nothing town with no local economy. And while were at it, close down SMI and make the quarry into a swimming hole that you can drive to on your bike. Where do I sign up?
from: No1townie	on: 10-06-2011 05:16PM I Agree (28) - I Disagree (9)

you people have no idea the amount some of those business owners do for this town and the selfless acts they have taken, all you know is based of your cockadoody selfish inconsiderate individuals who want only to move forward you people are absolutely blind and feed off of what you hear. I personally know one park owner that has done much and lately for Veterans Park Of North Adams.
from: "sick of the "townies"	on: 10-06-2011 07:13PM I Agree (18) - I Disagree (11)

What are the names of these businesses who are causing the delay?
from: Curious	on: 10-07-2011 08:03AM I Agree (6) - I Disagree (9)

To Wrong Way - just for your information, the commercial tax rate in Adams is 20.47. Ask the business owners in North Adams what their tax rate is - I believe (could be wrong) but it is close to $30. So, if you were a businessman, where would you rather be?
from: Correction	on: 10-07-2011 09:17AM I Agree (8) - I Disagree (2)

To all of you who are sick of us townies, go home; most of our families have been here since the town was here. To those of you who do not use the bike trail you obviously don't realize how many people use it every day (including people from out of town, I have run into many over the years). This money is given to us to expand it. I've said this before and I'll say it again - NO ONE THING IS GOING TO SAVE OUR TOWNS so don't bash every idea as "well, that won't make anything better . . blah blah" It will be several little things that work that will start to make a difference. As far as North Adams working with business and Adams doesn't, you have the highest tax rate on businesses in the county and the last administration would go so far as to tell people what shrubs they could plant so get over yourself.
from: concerned citizen	on: 10-07-2011 11:26AM I Agree (12) - I Disagree (1)

It is too bad that none of the park owners, at least to my knowledge, were given the chance to defend themselves at this meeting!! I actually know one of the owners who is for the plan but just wants to make sure all basis are covered.
from: Know the Facts Before you Speak	on: 10-07-2011 12:48PM I Agree (9) - I Disagree (7)

Hey Know the Facts, Were the owners invited to several meetings that they did not show up for? If that is true, and I don't claim to know it is, then this is on them.
from: concerned citizen	on: 10-07-2011 02:01PM I Agree (11) - I Disagree (4)

The owners were not notified. This story is all one sided.
from: owner	on: 10-07-2011 02:50PM I Agree (16) - I Disagree (12)

who edits this stuff before putting it out? i know you guys at iberkshires want to scoop the rags, but come on, at least give it a once over before posting. DON'T BECOME THE TRANSCRIPT!!! a little laziness can lead to a big going out of business sale.
from: john roget	on: 10-07-2011 03:03PM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (3)

I believe that the 2.5 million would be better spent on our deteriorating bridges, roads and schools or even after school programs for Kids. It is pretty pathetic when we raise all this excitement over the rail trail.
from: Masshole	on: 10-07-2011 03:31PM I Agree (19) - I Disagree (16)

The 2.5M is allocated for the rail trail only. One can argue the need for more money elsewhere, but we shouldn't refuse a bird in the hand.
from: Observer	on: 10-12-2011 01:00PM I Agree (10) - I Disagree (6)

It's thrilling to see the majority of the pro-trail posters getting all the "likes" in this comment section. The business owner's have their rights, but, if it's true they are dragging their feet, they are guilty of extortion. The old Berkshire County Anti-bike trail theory of bringing in hoodlums is totally specious. Go anywhere else and the trails are filled with average folks running, cycling, walking on a daily basis. What kind of hoodlum hangs out on rail-trails? I'd like to meet that drug dealer! Ludicrous. Some old abandoned rail corridor is more likely to have shady folks. This is really a simple project that would greatly contribute to the quality of life in the North Berkshires and is worth the funding. Shame on the misguided folks that are too narrow-minded to recognize the benefits and resort to scare-tactics that can't pass any serious muster. Build the trail!
from: Build It	on: 10-12-2011 02:31PM I Agree (10) - I Disagree (8)

this has to move forward the bike trail is always packed people love it. if the tenants at corporate park are worried adams should let them know that everything will be fine but this has to move ahead
from: dan68	on: 10-12-2011 03:40PM I Agree (9) - I Disagree (10)

The Rail Trail is a nice amenity that the residents of Adams are fortunate to have. This extension of the Rail Trail would take the trail from it's current end at the Visitor's Center to the Lime Street Extension, along the flood control behind the businesses in the industrial park. True that for some reason Adams just cannot seem to get out of it's own way; it is time to find a way to move forward. The corporate park is only a portion of the over one mile extension, with a portion of the project running through an area that has been under-maintained for decades, what a great chance to clean up an area that needs help cleaning up. The easements being sought would represent little in the way of inconvenience to the business owners however would represent a significant opportunity for not only Adams but also the whole north county area. The completion of this section of the Rail Trail (which with easements would be begin construction next year)creates an opportunity to link two more communities (Adams and North Adams) in the next phase. Currently the money that went unused in Lenox is up for grabs, opening the door for yet another extension that would link Adams and North Adams. I am not sure what all the challenges are however in the end either the corporate business owners will agree to easements or they will not. And the town will either take the property via imminent domain or they won't. And once again, Adams will miss out or they won't. Only the corporate park owners know the answers to those questions, the rest of us will just have to wait and see!
from: Just One Opinion	on: 10-12-2011 10:27PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (7)

Maybe the invitations to these meetings have been going to the address? I wish I knew that before I and the rest of the fine folks in the park were bum rushed. Adams this is [KITTENS!] do you need blue prints to follow?
from: Parksitter	on: 10-13-2011 06:23PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

Mr. Harrington was clear when he said the business owners have been invited to the table several times in the past and have refused to take part. So now it may be too late for them to have a say. My other question ... wasn't the Adams Corporate Park one of those taxpayer-funded economic development projects? If so, and my tax money was used to make land available to private businesses, why on earth are we even debating this? It's our land already.
from: lets be clear	on: 10-15-2011 12:34PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (1)

Regional Trail Coordinator Barnes Retires After Four Decades With DCR

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires.com Staff
05:25AM / Monday, November 02, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Department of Conservation and Recreation celebrated the retirement of Trails Supervisor Rebecca Barnes after four decades of service.

Friends and colleagues gathered in the Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center and park offices on Wednesday to celebrate Barnes.

She began working at Mount Greylock State Reservation while in high school as a seasonal conservation helper, saying she fell in love with the place.

"Fell in love with Mount Greylock, and ever since I've been doing different jobs and different positions," said the Hoosac Valley graduate. "But I came full circle back to Mount Greylock at the end of the career, and I've been taking care of the forest and parks for 40 years now, and loving it, the trails, the campgrounds, the summit, the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail."

Priscilla Geigis, deputy commissioner for conservation and resource stewardship, wrote a song the group sang for Barnes, who she said has inspired her during the more than 20 years they've worked together.

"Becky is so enthusiastic. She's so kind. She's funny. She's creative. She's really passionate and she's really dedicated. And I will miss all of those qualities," said Geigis. "She really knows how to balance conservation and recreation. She is so committed to connecting people to our incredible resources, not just here at her beloved Greylock, but also throughout the state to really make that connection and to pass on that idea that everyone has a role to play in stewardship.

"And you can see that time and again with all of her work in mentoring our staff, in mentoring young people who are just starting out, mentoring volunteers, just really making that connection. And so she's a really hard worker. She she will do anything."

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