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Berkshire Scenic Line Completed For This Weekend
By Jack Guerino, iBerkshires Staff
06:27PM / Friday, October 06, 2017
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The Board of Selectmen heard an update on the tourist rail line.

A platform should be ready at the Adams Station for the rail line's next season.
ADAMS, Mass. — The final section of the Hoosac Valley Service has been completed just in time for the fall foliage.
 
The final 6/10ths of a mile of track between Renfrew and Hoosac streets laid down by the state will allow the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum trains to run all the way to the renovated Adams Station on Hoosac Street starting this weekend. 
 
"We are excited it is just about complete," Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco said at this week's Selectmen's meeting. "When you drive through town you can see the track moving along and we are happy it's coming to completion."  
 
The railway, which travels between Adams and North Adams, was cut short at Renfrew Street because of the condition of the long unused tracks. Last fall, the state awarded $2.6 million in MassWorks funding to finish the project. The completion of the rail line marks five years of planning in conjunction with the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail section completed earlier this year.
 
Mazzucco said a platform to be installed at the Adams Station, a former car wash on Hoosac Street, will soon go out to bid.
 
He said he expects the project to be completed by spring. 
 
"It is not a very complicated project so winter construction should not be an issue for it," Mazzucco said. "We are hoping it is ready to go for the spring."
 
Selectman Joseph Nowak said he recently walked the new track and although he was impressed, was discouraged by the condition of some of the yards along the new line.
 
"As you walk along the tracks some of those back yards are very unsightly and I don't know what we can do about it," he said. "We can't really tell people to clean up their yards." 
 
Mazzucco agreed and said some residents have made efforts to clean up their property and the town can send letters out to those who have neglected their backyards. 
 
The Fall Foliage Trains will run Saturdays and Sundays, and this Monday, Columbus Day, at 10 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m. Prices are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for children younger than 12 years. All trains will depart from North Adams at 98 Crowley Ave. Tickets can be purchased online.
 
In other business, the town received a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association. 
 
"We have made great strides in the past few years in being more transparent with our budget and with the information we get out to the public," he said. "There are only about 30 of these given out and we were the only town in Berkshire County to receive one."  
 
Mazzucco also fielded some questions from the public and said a recent study reported that although the Memorial Building has mold, it is not a threat.
 
"We got a report back and there is mold in the building but it's not toxic mold," he said. "It's no different than mold you would see in your basement so we are having our insurance agency review it but it looks positive."
 
Mazzucco added that the town will use $7,500 from Chapter 90 to undergo an engineering study on Grant Street to see what they towns options are to prevent flooding. 

 

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