PEDA Takes Steps Toward Silver Lake Walking Trail

By Joe DurwinSpecial to iBerkshires
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The governing board of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority approved on Wednesday a series of measures to potentiate the transfer of the shoreline property around Silver Lake to pave the way for a recreational walking trail.

In order to build the walking path, following environmental remediation of the lake by General Electric, the city must amend the existing Definite Economic Development Agreement that was forged in 1999 to correct an oversight in regards to the ownership of the property, PEDA Executive Director Corydon Thurston said at Wednesday's meeting. 

At the time of the original agreement, it was believed that the city owned the shoreline but it was later discovered that titles for these parcels still resided with the original property owners. The titles had not been transferred to the city when Silver Lake Boulevard was built through an easement nearly a century ago.

The board voted unanimously to make the amendment, which also requires a vote from the City Council. 

"The lake is already looking beautiful, and once the shoreline is remediated, it really will be a lovely recreational asset," said Thurston, who anticipated that both the general public and specifically future employees of businesses on the William Stanley Business Park adjacent to Silver Lake will enjoy the future walking path.

The board also voted unanimously in favor of motions to accept transfers the parcels of shoreline to PEDA.

Other PEDA News in Brief:


  • Waterstone Development, the firm behind a controversial new shopping center plan at the PEDA site, is expected to have its plans completed by late March for presentation to the city, at which time it can begin to undergo the permitting process.

While Thurston said lease negotiations with the developer were expected to take place parallel to that process, any agreement PEDA and Waterstone may arrive at is entirely contingent on receiving the required permitting from the city.  Only then will Waterstone be able to enter into agreements with any potential tenants.

  • In response to a request from the City Council for an update on PEDA's activities and progress in the past year, Thurston said he will appear with a presentation at the Feb. 14 council meeting.
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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 
 
The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.
 
"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.
 
"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 
 
Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 
 
Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 
 
Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.
 
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