To the Editor,
On behalf of the Hilltown Collaborative, we believe a turnpike exit in Blandford is a positive step towards restoring vitality in the hilltowns.
The Hilltown Collaborative represents the hilltowns of Blandford, Chester, Huntington and Middlefield, as well as the Gateway Regional School District. Our mission is to help our area reverse the downward trend of economic decline and loss of young families.
Over the last 60 years as the Mass Pike replaced Route 20 as the major thruway from east to west, and the Railroad ceased to have stops in our towns, we have seen the loss of mills, businesses and young families. Our tax base is now near totally reliant on the residential properties of an aging population. We have seen our tax rates balloon upwards. The enrollment for the Gateway Regional district has been cut in half from 1,700 students to 830. Due to the decline in enrollment, we have seen elementary schools close, including the one in Blandford. We noticed several years ago that if these trends continued, our economic sustainability would be in jeopardy.
Progress, however is being made! An Economic Development Director, Jeanne LeClair, has been on board for the past three years coordinating marketing programs and facilitating growth. Just in the past two years Blandford has seen the revitalization of the Blandford Ski area and the Blandford Golf Club. This month Huntington will be welcoming a new local bank: Westfield Bank. The Chester Theatre Company continues to thrive with its best seasons ever in 35 years. Just last week a new restaurant, Carm’s, opened in Chester along with a Route 20 Visitors Center.
Gateway School has seen an increase in enrollment in the high school with the addition of a new career track for students, Early Childhood Development. In addition, Gateway is now offering tuition free all day preschool – a first in this area. Chester and Huntington have completed their build-out of high-speed internet, and Blandford and Middlefield have contracted for their build-outs.
We need to continue this momentum to regain economic stability. A turnpike exit in Blandford would significantly enhance the necessity of attracting new businesses and young families. As the turnpike exit is a 5 to 10 year project, towns must use that time to plan for incremental growth through community forums and thoughtful zoning updates. It is essential to protect the incredible beauty and small town atmosphere we so dearly want to preserve, while implementing plans to insure our economic future.
Andy Myers,
Co-Chair, Hilltown Collaborative
