State Still Hopeful For Adams Rail Trail Extension in 2014

The MPO took no action on the funding for the rail trail extension. But, if the project doesn't go to bid this summer, they might have to reallocate $250,000 to another project.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state is still hoping to bid the extension of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail in Adams this year.

But time is running out.

According to Mark Moore of the Department of Transportation's District 1, the extension is hoped to be advertised for bids in August.

The state experienced a setback in getting the design completed. It was only at 75 percent, when the state had hoped to be at 100 percent.

"We had an estimate that was surprisingly low," Moore said, and then when they reviewed it, they realized there were "significant omissions" in the plans.

Now, the consultants and engineers need to further detail the cost estimates and focus.

The state has been expecting the project to cost $3,260,000, which is mostly coming from a federal earmark. The project was first eyed for 2012 but evolved after the decision to host the railroad tracks for tourism train excursions.

The pathway had to be redesigned to accommodate railroad tracks for the Berkshire Scenic Railway's Hoosac Valley Service. Moore said he was expecting modifications to the former plan but instead, it dovetailed into a more significant redesign.

Further, he said, there are still two other large aspects to be resolved before the bids are released. First is the location of utilities, which also had to be redesigned. That is "just about resolved," Moore said.

The other issue is the rights of way and then the town acquiring them. The state will be providing the list of the needed rights of way to the town soon. When the town enters the process to take the needed lands, the state's consultants will be finishing up the final design, Moore said.

"We'll both be coming to the finish line at the same time in late August," he said.

But the time is getting close because the funding package includes $250,000 from another federal grant that the local Metropolitan Planning Organization has set aside to complete the trail. If the project isn't bid by the end of the year, those federal funds would be reallocated.

On Tuesday, the MPO didn't make a decision about the funding or approve the higher cost (the $250,000 allocation) it has anticipated for a few months now.

In other business, the MPO committed to renovating Washington Mountain Road in 2018 with the county's federal funds. MassDOT's Clinton Bench said Transportation Secretary Richard Davey is "committed" to doing the project with state funds in 2019.

Cheshire Town Meeting Oks Budgets, Debates Potential Prop 2 1/2 Override

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
10:12PM / Monday, June 08, 2026

Moderator Carol Francesconi, left, and Anne Marie Furey were presented flowers in memory of the Rev. William Furey, their brother and husband, respectively. The town report was dedicated to him. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Town meeting on Monday approved all 35 articles on the annual meeting warrant, including a total spending for fiscal 2027 of more than $8.5 million. 

 

Some 77 of the town's more than 2,500 registered voters filled the Cheshire Community House meeting room, debating on a number of articles during the meeting that lasted nearly three hours

 

The town dedicated its annual report to the Rev. William David Furey, longtime pastor of First Baptist Church and more recently Berkshire Union Chapel in Lanesborough. Furey died last year at age 77.

 

His wife, Anne Marie Furey, and his sister, Town Moderator Carol Francesconi, were presented with a bouquet of flowers in tribute to him. 

 

He was an exemplary member of the community who left a lasting impression in each and every life that he touched, said Town Clerk Whitney Flynn. 

 

Voters approved several warrant articles that make up an operating budget of $3,840,314 for fiscal 2027. Of this amount, $1,642,481 is allocated for the general government budget, which was approved after clarification of a few questions.

 

One item was the administrative assistant's salary. Prior to the annual meeting, the town eliminated the executive assistant salary of $54,309 in favor of a part-time administrative assistant salary of $27,155, to reduce costs considering the financial constraint the town is in.