Home / Archive / VOL. II NO. 16 08/15/2021 / Reader to Reader — We Got Mail

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VOL. II NO. 16 08/15/2021

Reader to Reader — We Got Mail

Dear Carole,

I am pleased to see the robust discussion in Town Square regarding the Interlaken neighborhood and the Curtisville Bridge. I am in agreement with Rena, Misha, Lenore and Paul who wrote regarding the Interlaken neighborhood and bridge. Over the past 2 years I have attempted to provide resident input and raised questions regarding the work that has taken place. I have been frustrated by the inadequate response from town officials.

Following is a brief summary:

  1. Many years ago, when Clint Schneyer was Highway Superintendent, a Mass Highway engineer inspecting bridges on State RT 183 looked at town bridges in Interlaken. The Curtisville Bridge was condemned for vehicular traffic. I requested a copy of any reports regarding the bridges, none have been provided.
  2. Based on this long-ago inspection and a more recent recommendation by Foresight Engineering (though not Structural Engineers), the Sewer and Water Department deemed that the water and sewer pipes in the bridge were in grave danger of failure. I made a formal written request for a 2nd opinion. WE needed to know the integrity of the bridge to support the pipes, before any work was undertaken and the status of the bridges future determined. My request for a 2nd opinion was ignored by the S&W Department.
  3. So over the past year the S&W Department proceeded to design and construct, at a cost of over $300,000 to the Town, the existing pipe structure. Although permanent looking to my eye, this structure is deemed “temporary” due to being located in an historic area. S&W has promised that the structure will be removed, and the pipes returned to the bridge when it is repaired. Is this true?

Regarding the fencing, I agree it is unsightly, inconvenient, illegal (chain link) and a detriment to the neighborhood. I see no reason why it was installed and why pedestrians are prohibited. When I asked Selectman Cardillo several years ago, his answer was “for insurance reasons”. Is this true?

In my opinion, before decisions are made regarding the future of the Curtisville Bridge, it is imperative that the Town get a 2nd opinion from a Structural Engineer (experienced with stone arch construction) on the integrity of the Curtisville Bridge to support pedestrian traffic as well as the utility pipes. I thank Carole and the Town Square for shining a light on this issue and hopefully holding our Town officials and Sewer and Water accountable.

Sincerely,

Alan Wilken

Editor’s note: Alan holds a BS in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Dear Alan,

Thank you for the cogent comments and the kind words about Stockbridge Updates. I hope now there will be a fulsome response from our Select Board.

Carole

Photo: Lionel Delevingne

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Stockbridge Updates Statement of Purpose

To inform without opinion or pressure and give the people of Stockbridge the facts they need to make informed decisions.

To provide space for opinion, but since facts and opinions are different, to clearly mark opinion pieces, and clearly identify the opinion holder.

Stockbridge Updates is a periodic newsletter delivered through email.

Carole Owens, Executive Editor

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SU welcomes your letters and other submissions on all Stockbridge subjects, history and current events, news and human interest, whatever is on your mind. As with articles and opinion pieces, letters are 400 words or less, no personal attacks, and always attach your name. SU does not include personal information and will delete telephone numbers, email addresses, post office boxes, and street addresses. Limit one submission per month.

Carole Owens, Executive Editor

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SU is attempting to present a consistent format for readers. SU begins with its Table of Contents. The SU Editorial is next and then the News. News is divided between one-time events, such as the election and events around town, and recurring reporting, such as the Notes from… section. It is called Notes from… because SU attends the town meetings, takes notes, and reports what happened. If SU has a comment or question, it is at the end of the meeting identified as Editor’s Comment or Editor’s Question. The next section is Contributors. Under contributors, you may find Stockbridge history, opinion pieces, or information from a Committee Chair or elected official. Our final section is Reader to Reader, our letter section. The issue closes with the SU Statement of Purpose and Policy for Contributors. We welcome all letter writers and contributors; deadline on the 10th for the issue posted on the 15th of the month and on the 26th for the issue posted on the first.

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