The Army Corps of Engineers will be doing a feasibility study of North Adams' 70-year-old flood control system over the next three years. The federal government has committed to covering half the $3 million cost.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The federal government has committed to funding half the $3 million needed for a feasibility study of the city's 70-year-old flood control chutes.
The city of North Adams and the Hoosac River Revival, which has been working to transform parts of the deteriorating concrete chutes, made the announcement in a press release on Thursday. The study would be undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers, which constructed the flood control system to contain the Hoosic River.
"I look forward to working with the Corps and community stakeholders to plan for a modern flood control system that will protect the community from floods and enhance the economic and environmental value of our river," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "It is long overdue."
The concrete panels that line the chutes have been decaying for years and several have already fallen into the river. While the system saved the city from periodic catastrophic floods, the chutes are now seen as unsightly, ecologically destitute, and in dire need repair or restoration.
Estimated cost for the three-year study is $3 million, of which the state has committed $1 million and the city, $500,000. U.S. Rep. Richie Neal was also able to secure $200,000 toward the project. The federal funding will match the $1.5 milion in annual installments.
"The Hoosic River is a true community treasure in North Adams," said Neal. "The feasibility study is a major first step in reinventing the river and the viable recreational activities within and around it. I look forward to the completion of this project and the endless possibilities it will bring to the region."
Both U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey have endorsed the project and worked with Neal to get funding. Warren visited the city in August, describing a revamp of the flood control system as a "great infrastructure project" that was urgently needed.
The study will be a collaborative effort led by the Corps to identify, evaluate and recommend a workable solution that will ensure flood protection for the city. Rough estimates for restoration have been projected between $150 million and $200 million.
State funding was secured through the efforts of state Rep. John R. Barrett III and former Gov. Charlie Baker.
"Both the former governor and I recognized that the flood control system in North Adams is in desperate need of repair," said Barrett. "It is an environmental issue, a make or break project not just for North Adams but for Adams and
Williamstown as well. I'm grateful that the former governor agreed and released $1 million in the Environmental Bond Bill to support this study."
Judy Grinnell, president of the Hoosic River Revival, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that helped facilitate the funding commitments, said, "We are so pleased the city and the Corps of Engineers will begin that necessary, comprehensive analysis this year."
She also highlighted that, at the same time, the city and HRR will be engaging directly with residents to ensure that the study reflects community needs and aspirations. Grinnell asked that community members who would like more information or question-and-answer meeting about the study for their neighborhood or organization, to contact the Hoosic River Revival at info@hoosicriverrevival.org or 413-398-5288.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
North Adams Committee Rejects Changes to Airport Commission Ordinance
By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The General Government Committee is recommending the City Council reject a proposal for council approval of appointments to the Airport Commission.
The question had been raised after an appointment to the commission by Mayor Jennifer Macksey had come under fire at a council meeting. Macksey had withdrawn his name and appointed him without council approval, as laid out in the city charter. Prior to that, she had put forward all appointments to boards and committees for confirmation.
The 2-1 vote, with committee member Ashley Shade voting nay, came after a sometimes testy debate on Tuesday over whether the current language aligns with state and federal laws.
The committee also recommended, again with Shade voting no, to not amend the ordinance to prohibit anyone with business at the airport from serving on the commission. Attorney Joel Bard of KP Law, the city solicitor, said state laws were in place to deal with the conflicts of interest on the independent commission that Shade sought to deter.
"There's a whole apparatus at the state level to enforce the conflict of interest law. That's not self-enforcing, so if there is a violation that's occurring, somebody needs to bring it to the attention of the staff of the State Ethics Commission," Bard said, attending via Zoom. "There's a large state bureaucracy that enforces that law."
Shade had put forward the language she said would bring the ordinance in line with MGL Chapter 90, Section 51E that states airport commissioners "shall be appointed, in cities, by the mayor with the approval of the city council, and in towns by the selectmen."
"It's this MGL provision that allowed us to establish an airport commission. Airport commissions did not exist before the charter, because this provision is what allows us to even have an airport commission," she said. "We should be following this provision in MGL to the exact letter of the law, because it is what allows us to even formulate and have the Airport Commission to run and operate."
The General Government Committee is recommending the City Council reject a proposal for council approval of appointments to the Airport Commission. click for more
A light installation that's graced the Esplanade and Greenway in Boston the last couple years will spend the spring, and likely the summer, in North Adams. click for more
Capped by Sam St. Peter’s come-from-behind win in the final bout of the day to win the 285 crown, the Spartans placed second at the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Championships at Mount Greylock. click for more
Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous from snow, sleet and ice accumulations. Plan on slippery road conditions. Power outages and tree damage are possible due to the ice, snow and winds.
click for more
Child Care of the Berkshires has an ambitious goal to grow over the next three years — more educators, more programs and more families being served.
click for more