Adams Receives $2.9M for Greylock Glen Water Infrastructure

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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ADAMS, Mass. — The town is receiving $2.9 million in federal funds to support water infrastructure for the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center. 

"This essentially almost funds, let's say 99 percent, of all the funds that we need to finally build out what the master vision is of the glen," said Town Administrator Jay Green at Wednesday's Board of Selectmen meeting. 
 
The money will specifically be used for the potable drinking water system at the glen, with construction for the project expected to begin sometime in late June. Green congratulated special projects coordinator and former Community Development Director Donna Cesan, who has been working on the project since it began well more than a decade ago. 
 
"Essentially, we can breathe a little easier knowing that we have the money to finally complete the infrastructure work up there. ... We're attempting to arrange to have Congressman [Richard] Neal and the governor here. In order to do that, we're thinking right now that they can synch their schedules up for some time in July," he said. 
 
The town is the developer for the 54-acre glen, part of the Mount Greylock State Reservation, and the state has committed $7.3 million to the construction of the outdoor center. 
 
In other business, Administrative Assistant Deborah Dunlap will be leaving the position on June 3. Green thanked Dunlap for her work with the town. 
 
Selectman Joseph Nowak said he will miss Dunlap's hard-working attitude as a town employee. 
 
"You can always replace a person, but I think it's going to be difficult to replace someone of Deb's caliber, who gave it her all under really difficult conditions," he said. 
 
The board approved the Council on Aging state formula grant. The 10-year grant is based on 2010 Census data and will award the COA $26,160. 
 
• The board approved a one-day entertainment license for the Berkshire Mountain Fairie Festival from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 18 at Bowe Field. This year will be the first time the festival has operated since 2019. 
 
"We're moving forward. We've got some younger people involved. We've got some people who are more theatrical, I'll say. So that's really exciting," said Gail Sellers, one of the event's organizers. 
 
• The board ratified the hire of a Council on Aging per diem van driver Charles Gebauer. Gebauer, a Savoy resident, had been a driver for the COA in the past. 

Tags: federal funds,   Greylock Glen,   

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Greylock Glen Outdoor Center 90% Complete

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock Glen Outdoor Center is about 90 percent finished with an anticipated completion date in August. 
 
Matthew Sturz of owner's project manager Colliers International updated the Selectmen on the project's progress via Zoom on Wednesday. 
 
"We'll work with the town to determine exactly the logistics of that," he said in response to questions about the opening. "I think that there's certainly interest in getting the facility open as soon as it can open. But we do need to conclude the construction activities ... it's not federally advisable to have construction activity going on with the public."
 
The completion will depend on getting a certificate of occupancy for the 10,000-square foot facility.
 
The  $8.3 million project is running eight months behind the expected schedule, Sturz said, largely because of permitting with the state Department of Environmental Protection that required an extensive environmental review of endangered species, working with National Grid to determine how solar will be integrated into the project, and the need for a water system for both potable water and fire suppression. 
 
"Transformers and all manner of electrical switchgear is being significantly impacted by supply chain issues throughout the construction industry," said Sturz. "So coordinating those items up front took a little bit longer than anticipated."
 
A 350,000-gallon water tank is being constructed on the grounds to provide water with completion expected by July or August. 
 
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