Mount Greylock Tower Repairs Resume
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Work on the Mount Greylock Memorial Tower has commenced again and should be completed by September.
Mount Greylock State Reservation Supervisor Alec Gillman told the Mount Greylock Advisory Council on Thursday that construction started last week and a protective road was installed on the summit lawn so trucks and equipment to prevent damage. He added that scaffolding should be erected next week.
"They are still on target to try to have the tower completed by September," Gillman said.
The $2.3 million project began last October on the 93-foot tall tower to repair damaged caused by water infiltration in the 80-year-old masonry structure. The project will include a new ventilation system, resealing of joints, new dehumidification systems, improved access, full repair of the interior finishes, new light fixtures for the beacon, and the addition of interpretive exhibits.
The tower was built in 1932 on the state's highest peak to memorialize the state's losses in World War I and, later, casualties in other wars. It's been closed several times of the years for repairs and had significant renovations done in the 1980s. It was closed again more than two years.
In other business, Councilor Michael Coyne asked if the mountain trails are regularly maintained and if money has been allocated for clean up.
Becky Barnes, trails coordinator for the Department of Conservation and Recreation, said there is no designated staff for regular clean up, but seasonal workers are brought in.
"The trails have always been not a big focus and they take a lot of work," she said.
She added with continued cuts it has been even harder to keep up with the trails.
Coyne said maybe the council should make their concerns known to the state.
"We certainly as a committee can say that we are concerned that such a low priority is given to something that we think is a high priority," he said. "I think we want to continue to attract tourists to the area and our trails speak for themselves."
Gillman said volunteer efforts could go a long way but it is hard to supervise untrained workers.
Coyne suggested holding trail days during which volunteers could be supervised.
• Gillman said there was a rescue on the mountain in February. Two people were stuck with in minus 40-degree wind chill on the summit.
"A couple of young adults thought they would hike up and they got stuck and thought they were going to spend the night," he said. "They weren’t prepared, and they couldn’t even get a fire started ... so we mobilized and they were pulled off by sunrise and all was well."
Gillman said the 911 call went to the state police, which normally dispatch local police. He said the rangers should be contacted first because only they have proper rescue equipment. He said he will try to coordinate this with the dispatchers.
• Gillman also said efforts are continuing create universal access and install some wheelchair accessible campsites. He said the sites will be leveled out and the grills will be wheelchair accessible.
"With the right support system someone with a wheelchair can get in there and camp at one of these sites," he said. "We think this would be a pretty unique option for us."
He added that the roads to the summit open May 14 and the campgrounds open May 19.
• Gillman said there has been very low attendance on the mountain this winter because of the lack of snow.
"Our snowmobile trail system did not open and ... there was a lot of pentup frustration with the snowmobilers," he said. ".We had pretty low attendance compared to previous years."
• The Northern Berkshire Amateur Radio Club has offered to run the summit camera on the mountain. It could be set up by the summer.
The camera has not been operational in months and requires funding and maintenance.
Tags: Mount Greylock, state parks, war memorial,
