Residents joined Sen. Paul Mark and Rep. Natalie Blais Monday evening for “ReMarks and Refreshments” at Conway Town Hall. Topics discussed included the closure of the Bardwell’s Ferry Bridge, infrastructure needs and climate legislation.
STAFF PHOTO/CHRIS LARABEE
CONWAY — The Bardwell’s Ferry Bridge is weighing heavy on residents’ minds, as several people discussed the inconvenience of the bridge’s closure in a conversation with local legislators on Monday evening.
About two dozen residents joined Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket, and Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, at Conway Town Hall for a wide-ranging discussion covering the bridge, infrastructure and other topics. The session was part of Mark’s “ReMarks and Refreshments” series, which is an effort to reach all 57 communities in his Senate district, including Whately and every Franklin County town west of it.
With the closure of the connector between Conway and Shelburne, residents have had to upend their driving routes to get across the Deerfield River, with some folks experiencing nearly 30-minute detours.
“At first I was enjoying the quietness of the walk, until a very short time later I started hearing problems,” said Bardwell’s Ferry Road resident Bob Van Gelder, sharing the struggles of a neighbor who brings their parents to elder care. “We’re cut off at the knees.”
“I want to know what you’re doing about getting Bardwell’s Ferry Bridge fixed, that’s a big one,” added resident Brian Kuzmeskus. “We’d like to see that fixed as soon as possible.”
After a routine inspection, the state Department of Transportation closed the historic bridge in August 2023 to prepare it for deck/joint repairs, cleaning, painting and guardrail updates. The earliest possible advertising date for construction bids is 2027, according to MassDOT.
Mark noted that MassDOT has acknowledged the difficulties residents face, but “they’re overwhelmed as well,” while Blais said they will continue to make the case for Conway, just like they did when the North Poland Road bridge was quickly replaced by the agency in February 2023.
“We’ve both been in touch with MassDOT to express our desire for that bridge to be repaired as quickly as possible and explained the hardship that it is having on residents,” Blais said. “We’ll continue to press them to see what, if anything, can be done to replace that as quickly as possible.”
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Town Administrator Veronique Blanchard noted that MassDOT is also looking at work on the approach to the bridge, which may be another reason why work is so far into the future.
In a similar vein, maintenance of infrastructure was also on the minds of residents such as Maynard Stowe, who said roads and culverts like those on Route 116 were unable to handle the extreme weather of July 2023.
“We already know and experienced a year ago how badly undersized all the drainage is here and that’s just going to happen again,” Stowe said. “As an area, all of the hilltowns have huge amounts of infrastructure needs that are not being addressed until there’s an emergency and then a Band-Aid is being put on it.”
The legislators said state aid is beginning to trend up for small communities in western Massachusetts, highlighting how the Fair Share Amendment and increased rural school aid are bringing more money into the region. Other victories include creating an entirely separate agricultural legislative committee and the creation of the director of rural affairs position.
“Smaller communities, I think, are getting more attention than I’ve seen in recent times, but none of that is an answer that satisfies, ‘I want it done now,’” Mark said.
Other topics discussed on Monday evening included the Legislature’s failure to approve a wide-ranging climate bill before the end of the formal legislative session.
Of additional concern to folks like residents Priscilla Lynch and Bob Armstrong, Gov. Maura Healey has included a measure intended to streamline the solar siting process in the close-out supplemental budget, which opponents have said would let energy companies run rampant in small towns as local permits could be consolidated into a single process.
“I really hope the both of you will be opposed to that energy siting,” Lynch said. “I would hope you would not vote for it if it was in the budget.”
Mark expressed disappointment at the Legislature’s failure to reach an agreement on the climate bill — and added he found the infighting among the House and Senate “distasteful” — but said there is still an opportunity for the chambers to come together and get something passed.
“All of that being said, nothing’s dead yet. We have until the 31st of December,” Mark said. “If you individually feel that that bill or any other bill is important or if you’re part of an organization that feels that this bill or any bill is important, do continue to contact us.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.