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Jun 05, 2023

Pittsfield ConCom OKs Taconic Track and State Forest Footbridge Projects / iBerkshires.com

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Conservation Commission signed off on the replacement of two footbridges in the Pittsfield State Forest and Taconic High School's track reconstruction. The high school's track

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Conservation Commission signed off on the replacement of two footbridges in the Pittsfield State Forest and Taconic High School's track reconstruction. The high school's track has been cited for its drainage issues and called an "accident waiting to happen" by community members. Conditions have also caused many cancellations. Included in the city's 2023 budget was $1 million for the project, which includes reconstruction of the rubberized quarter-mile running track and reorganized field features to better serve the athletes. The project area is the existing track and field on the north side of the campus abutting Lakeway Drive. Included in the plans is an erosion control barrier, which was emphasized as being an important component when the commission issued a negative request for determination of applicability for the work. The item has been continued from a previous meeting for needed adjustments to the wetland boundary. "The wetlands are really close to the work area but the wetlands are also up-gradient of the work area so when they build this track back in the day, they cut into the slope, the slope weeps water, so they cut into the groundwater table and so the wetlands are on a slope," Conservation Agent Robert Van Der Kar explained. "Provided that they have really good erosion controls, they shouldn't have to worry about working into the wetlands because they're up-gradient along the slope so as long as we have good erosion controls I'm not worried about the project area being in the wetlands." Hay bales and a silt fence are recommended for erosion controls. It was also emphasized that the project will have to address the drainage issue. The commission issued a negative request for determination of applicability regarding the Wetlands Protection Act for the replacement of two existing trail bridges on Lulu Brook and Parker Brook with longer simple timber structures. Lulu Brook will have the same sized bridge and Parker Brook will have a more narrow bridge with a restored bank.