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Date: 10/21/2021
GRANVILLE — Members of the Selectboard lobbied state officials to reopen the roads and trails around the Cobble Mountain Reservoir last week for recreational use and emergency vehicle access.
The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission closed the reservoir to almost all public access in 2002, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The closure was said at the time to only be temporary, but has remained in place for 19 years. The reservoir, which serves as a public water supply for Springfield and several neighboring towns, has a dam that officials at the time were concerned could be a target for terrorists.
Members of the Selectboard took state Sen. John Velis and state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga on two separate site visits to the reservoir last week, in the hopes that they may be able to help get the roads reopened. Selectboard Chair Theodore R. Sussmann Jr. said that the road closures and gates erected by the utility commission present a hazard for emergency services.
If Cobble Mountain Road were reopened, first responders would be able to reduce the drive time between the Blandford and Granville sides of the reservoir from nearly 30 minutes to about 5 minutes. Sussmann said having to drive the long way around the reservoir makes it harder for the towns to share resources during public safety emergencies.
“The state is pushing for shared services in small towns, but how can we share it?” said Sussmann.
Sussmann said the utility commission has offered to leave keys to the gates with the police chief. He said that solution still requires first responders to get out of their vehicles to unlock at least four gates along the route, which would take more time during a possible emergency.
On top of the drive times for first responders, Sussmann said that the closure of the land around the reservoir takes away a beautiful scenic and recreational area from residents.
Boldyga, a Southwick Republican, said during the site visit that he agreed that the reservoir should not remain closed to the public, based on the information he has heard so far. He said he would confer with Velis, a Westfield Democrat, and state Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, D-Lenox, who represents Blandford.