State and Town Officials Sign Master Lease For Greylock Glen
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DCR Commissioner Jack Murray and Board of Selectmen Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington shake hands after signing the lease agreement. |
ADAMS, Mass. — An array of elected officials gathered Friday to sign the Greylock Glen master lease and celebrate the beginning of the next phase of the project.
Board of Selectmen Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington shared some emotional statements about the Greylock Glen project thanked all of those involved in its 30-year legacy. He acknowledge former Selectmen, administrators, and the people of Adams.
“I would be remiss in not recognizing the importance of all the support for the project’s past, present and future. I am here not only as statutory signatory of the town of Adams but also as a staunch supporter of this project,” Harrington said.
“Thank you for your patience, trust and encouragement throughout this journey, and we will need your continued support as we move to our next very important phase of the project, implementation."
Harrington said the Glen is a critical aspect of bringing new and needed economic development to Adams.
The latest plan calls for campgrounds, hiking trails, conference center, education center and amphitheater on the 50-acre parcel. The glen has a storied history dating back 30 years of attempted redevelopment and is eyed to be the cornerstone of economic development.
The lease between the state and the town is the next step to move forward in building the campground and first phase of the trail network. The Selectmen approved the lease Wednesday night.
"Adams remains one of the poorest communities in the commonwealth. I am sure most of you are familiar with the old adage necessity is the mother of change, well this project is a necessity for Adams and for the Berkshires. We need this project now, and it is as important as it was 30 years ago," Harrington said.
State Sen. Benjamin Downing said the glen is an important aspect that will add to the already vibrant town and Berkshire County. He pledged to continue working with the town to develop the Greylock Glen.
"We need to make sure this entire region is what we know it can and should be, which is a community where everyone that grows up here gets the opportunity to make the most of their talents that have been given to them," he said. "We make sure as they do that they have the opportunity to do that right in their own back yard."
State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi said the Greylock Glen will be the perfect complement to Adams.
"I think that Adams has chosen the right path, the hub of recreation, and how could it be any better this," Cariddi said. "This is really going to put the town of Adams on the map not just at the monument, but at the downtown too."
Tad Ames, president of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, praised the beauty of the Glen and the importance of protecting it.
“Discussion of the Glen was often marked by frustration on both sides and to this date a deep sense of loss, mistrust, and unease prevails,” he said. But still, the Greylock glen largely endures and the 1007 acres will be given deserving to the care and control of our states department of conservation and recreation. This is a day to mark indeed.”
