Question 1

What is Baker Hill Road District?

Accepted Answer

The Baker Hill Road District is a District within the town of Lanesborough.  It was originally created to assist with the final construction of the Berkshire Mall and consequently, became the owner of the Connector Road, at that time called Berkshire Mall Drive. The district boundaries encompass the Connector Road and the eight parcels that makeup the area owned by the Berkshire Mall and Target.
Since then, the District has also been engaged with economic development within the boundaries of the District. The Road, which originally started as a driveway to the mall, became a public way with the creation of the District. The Districts it as a public way.

Question 2

When was Baker Hill Road District formed?

Accepted Answer

The Baker Hill Road District was created in 1989 through a Home Rule petition.  It was subsequently approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
 
Please visit our History Page (javascript:void(0))for more information about the history of Baker Hill Road District.

Question 3

How is Baker Hill Road District governed?

Accepted Answer

The Baker Hill Road District is governed by Prudential committee of three members, two members are appointed by the town of Lanesborough and one member is appointed by the property owners within the District. 
 
The Prudential committee complies with all the same state laws that towns and cities in Massachusetts comply with. In addition, it pays the town of Lanesborough to collect its taxes.

Question 4

Is the District connected to the Town of Lanesborough?

Accepted Answer

The District is not connected to the town of Lanesborough. It and the Town have service agreements through which the District pays the Town for police services, collector services, and road maintenance services.

Question 5

Who is employed by Baker Hill Road District?

Accepted Answer

The Department of Public Works in the town of Lanesborough is paid by contract. 
The Lanesborough Police Department is paid by contract. 
The Public Safety Services in the town Lanesborough is paid by contract.
The Prudential Committee Members receive a stipend. 
The Treasurer is paid by contract. 
The Secretary is paid by contract. 
The Website Manager is paid by contract.
 
Baker Hill Road District employees are paid by Baker Hill Road District, not the Town of Lanesborough or using taxpayer money.
 
Please see our Organizational Structure Pagef(javascript:void(0))or more information about Baker Hill Road District's Team.

Question 6

How does Baker Hill Road District affect my taxes?

Accepted Answer

Baker  Hill Road District doesn’t affect resident's taxes unless you own property in the District. It’s payments to the Town may defray some of the operating costs of the town.

Question 7

Will disolving Baker Hill Road District lower my taxes?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, no. 
 
In all likelihood taxes will rise with the dissolution of the Baker Hill Road District.  The alternative would be to fire two police officers and one employee in the department of public works.

Question 8

Does the Town of Lanesborough make money from Baker Hill Road District?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Town of Lanesborough receives approximately $400,000 a year from the Baker Hill Road District. That money is paid by the District to the Town in accordance with agreements with the Town.

Question 9

Does Baker Hill Road District make money from the Town of Lanesborough?

Accepted Answer

No, Baker Hill Road District does not make money from the Town of Lanesborough.

Question 10

What is the current status of the Berkshire Mall?

Accepted Answer

Berkshire Mall, and all businesses located within are currently closed. 
 
Based on public records, there are outstanding violations of state requirements regarding water and sewer requirements. The town of Lanesborough cited it for failure to comply with fire and safety requirements.

Question 11

Who has owned the Berkshire Mall?

Accepted Answer

The Berkshire Mall has been owned by:
Berkshire Mall Group
Lanesborough Enterprises, LLC
Lanesborough Enterprises NewCo. LLC, 
COMM 2005-FL10
Berkshire Mall Realty Holding, Inc.
Durga Property Holdings Inc 
 
Target owns its part of the Berkshire Mall.

Question 12

When was the Connector Road reconstructed and who paid for the construction?

Accepted Answer

The Connector Road was reconstructed in 2009 and 2010. It was paid for by a $10,000,000 million grant from the American Recovery and Reconstruction Act (ARRA or stimulus). Not all the money was used for the reconstruction of the road and the part that wasn't used was recommitted to a project in Lenox for roadway and infrastructure improvements in Lenox. 
The grant was awarded through a competitive process managed by the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization at the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. The Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO) is responsible for conducting the federally required metropolitan transportation-planning process that is often referred to as the 3C process: continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive. The MPO uses this process to develop a vision for the region and then decides how to allocate federal and some state transportation funds to programs and projects—roadway, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian—which support the vision shared by all 32 cities and towns in Berkshire County.

Question 13

What is the Baker Hill Road District Re-Use Plan?

Accepted Answer

In 2018, when the Baker Hill Road District anticipated that it might have to take ownership of the Berkshire Mall for non payment of taxes the District worked with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to look at possible redevelopment schemes at the mall.   That reuse plan is currently posted on the town website, and is also available from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. The funds for the study came from the Governor’s Office under the Community Best Practices Program ($70,000) and a matching donation by the Baker Hill Road District ($50,000).
 
Please see our Re-Use Plan Page (javascript:void(0))for more information.

Question 14

Who pays to maintain the Connector Road?

Accepted Answer

The Baker Hill Road District pays to maintain the Connector Road.

Question 15

How does Baker Hill Road District work collaboratively with the Town of Lanesborough?

Accepted Answer

There's been an extensive history of collaboration between the town of Lanesborough and the Baker Hill Road District.  
 
For example, in 2005, the Baker Hill Road District paid for a legal team to recover money from the engineers who conducted unprofessional activities related to a planning grant from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.  As a result of that litigation the Baker Hill Road District and the town of Lanesborough were able to recover $600,000 which got applied to the design of the connector road, and which design, ultimately, put it in the best position of all projects in Berkshire County to receive funds under the American Recovery and Construction Act. The Town was reimbursed for its payments to the engineers and all its legal costs.  The Mall was reimbursed for the $90.000 annual contribution its made to the Town to work with the engineering firm and its legal costs. The Mall turned over its recover to the District to complete the engineering and application materials necessary to be eligible for funding at the BMPO.  The Board of selectmen were essential participants in that process.
 
It has also worked with the town of Lanesborough to try to identify resources for infrastructure improvements within the District. And, it has also worked with the town of Lanesborough to identify potential economic opportunities to increase the tax base within the District.

Frequently Asked Questions