Otis Observer May, 2017 Vol III. Issue 1 Caucus Results A New Life for the Knox Trail Inn By Linda Rocke By Katharine Adams ut of 1132 registered voters, 55 voted ince 1820, the Knox Trail Inn has stood as a community Oin the caucus. The only contested races Scenter in East Otis. Having served at times as stagecoach are Selectman and Finance Board. stop and roadhouse tavern, it is even said to have once held In the Moderator category Larry Gould was an infirmary upstairs. While its earliest origins along Route 23 in East Otis have not been pinpointed, it’s reasonable listed on the caucus ballot, however he with- to surmise the structure may have arose in the era of then– drew prior to the caucus although the caucus Loudon’s issuance of land grants, beginning with the town’s ballots were already printed. Therefore he incorporation in 1773. was nominated but he will not be accepting A team of five investors, all town residents and business his nomination. He is involved in too many leaders, have recently purchased the Knox Trail Inn with projects at this time and that is why he with- the aim to reestablish the landmark as a community gem. drew. Blake Middleton was nominated with The partners include Peter Sullivan, Bruce Wall, Dave Wheeler, Jim Kauffman and 6 write–ins. He has accepted his nomination Mark Amanti. and his name will be on the ballot. Blake I walked through with Peter Sullivan, noting his team’s impressively thorough consider- was elected last year but resigned shortly after ation of the value the property holds and showing great attention to detail. With a long OO the election, leaving the position vacant. and accomplished career in the restaurant and catering business, he underscored that Here are the caucus results: each of the partners are experts in their own field, adding humbly that he just happens to have restaurant experience. He pointed to how Dave Wheeler and Mark Amanti Name Position Votes Continued page 2 Michael Ernest Selectman 16 Gary Thomas Selectmen 39 Karen Fink Treasurer 42 Wind and Fiber Updates By Chris Morris, Town Administrator Larry Gould Moderator 15 Wind Blake Middleton Moderator 6 This has been a very busy couple of weeks. Crews have poured 300 yards John (Jack) Conboy Tree Warden 40 of concrete for the foundation and embedment ring which are reinforced Russell W. Loring Constable 47 with 28,000 pounds of rebar. The concrete will now cure for 28 days. Therese Gould Finance Board 22 The three tower sections are still held up in Quebec awaiting the end of the thaw season there and permission from the Ministry of Transportation Sonia Morrison Finance Board 32 for shipment. Other components have arrived from Germany. Kathleen Rider Assessor 43 Library Trustee 0 Fiber Roger Meyer Cemetery (3 years) 47 We have now submitted pole applications to Verizon and Eversource for over a thousand utility poles. Verizon and Eversource have completed their Harold Kobrin Planning Board 44 review of all of the poles in the first of seven “fiberhoods“ to be built. The Arlene Tolopko School Committee 41 first round of pole upgrades will soon begin. Continued page 7 A New Life for the Knox Trail Inn Continued from Page 1 are hard at work on construction, along with the support and assistance of their spouses. Jim Kauffman has been working on the legal and accounting aspect and Bruce Wall has been providing guidance with his business perspective. he partners wish to return the Knox Tto its valued and rightful place as a year–round, lively community center for all to enjoy, with an affordable menu featuring familiar comfort foods—but with a fresh twist. They strive to appeal to both town residents as well as visitors. With plans to establish a heated takeout food bar, the Knox Trail Inn as it appears today. partners understand in our modern times Photo: Katharine Adams that working folks are busy and need to be William Leapean Hotel in 1899. Pettianger, and a Battoe” and rushed to able to sometimes grab fresh, hot food on The Knox’s namesake, the Knox Trail, cross Lake George before it froze. It had the go. As an example of their thoughtful also holds a notable and proud place in likely been New York teamsters who assisted consideration to detail, and in an effort to history. January 11, 1776 is said to be the over the Knox Trail running through Otis, not overwhelm the bartender, they plan to date General Henry Knox drove his troops as they were replaced by Massachusetts assign a host for takeout orders. through our township while traveling on wagon masters at Springfield. The front room shall become a much more a 300–mile journey from Boston to Fort In under two months’ time the expedi- open, expansive, airy family dining room. Ticonderoga, NY to retrieve a formidable tion delivered their artillery capture of 59 For now, the bar will remain in front; artillery regiment. brass and iron cannons, howitzers, mortars, once the busy season is past, they will former civilian Boston bookseller and and cohorts to a beleaguered Continental resume work to expand the front dining optimistic young man, self–educated Army. Finally, on the night of March 4, area further, repurposing the front bar A in military science and engineering, Knox our newly–fortified and clever Continental elsewhere while installing booths to take had approached Continental Army soldiers maneuvered the Knox–delivered its place along the wall. The smoking area Commander General George Washington artillery up Dorchester Heights overlooking will no longer be outside the front entrance, at his Cambridge headquarters with the Boston, frantically painting logs alongside but will move to a new, designated space idea to retrieve the abandoned heavy to visually “increase” the mass impression outside near the back patio. brass and iron cannons remaining after of their emplacements. And by March 17, The aim is for the front to feature a the British abandoned Fort Ticonderoga. the British evacuated the city of Boston. relaxing dining atmosphere where people Revealing great foresight and in deep need he Knox Trail Inn is so named in a nod can unwind and catch up. The back’s large for fortification, General Washington had to this immense accomplishment, and pine room will eventually undergo renova- T agreed—despite his advisors admonishing the spirit of working together for a cause tions, to serve as the main bar hub featuring that it was a hopeless task to attempt—with continues to infuse our portion of the old a roomy, lively atmosphere along with the the command “The want of them [cannons] trail. On Saturday, April 8, a remarkably installation of sporting event screens. The is so great that no trouble or expense must enthusiastic team of over 30 town residents exterior will also enjoy a fresh coat of paint. be spared to obtain them.” With that, the who have long loved this building joined The Knox Trail Inn enjoys a storied history. mission commenced on November 16, 1775. together to help clean the interior and Peter related memories of “Stormin’ Norman” To conduct this astounding feat in the bitter prepare for welcome repairs, restorations playing organ on Friday nights in the pine dead of winter, employed were 80 yoke of and renovations. With a rich and colorful room, when booze was removed from the bar oxen and 42 “exceedingly strong” sleds, history, the Knox is enjoying a spring 2017 and the kids would dance while their parents plus a flotilla of flat–bottomed boats to breath of fresh air with the aim of becoming repaired to the front for libations. In an even haul over ice, snow and across lakes and an adjunct to our strong community once earlier incarnation, the structure stood as the rivers. Munitions were loaded onto a “Scow, again. OO Page 2 TheThe Otis Observer News from AMVETS Post 77, Otis, MA By Sally Bushey and Tom Soules Memorial Day Parade Our Pyenson. We would also like to thank Jim annual Memorial Day Parade will be and Matt for their help with the snow held on May 28, 2017. Please come out removal and sanding at the town hall. and support our local veterans as we all support our troops serving around Bingo the world. The Holyoke Soldiers Home event went With this new world we live in there are well. We had over 90 residents partici- Howard Basis surprises around every corner keeping pate. We (Tom, Sally, Tim, Bud and our troops on their toes. They need our John) went early so that we were able continued support. Let us not forget to sit and talk with the vets before the that this is not a one day event. It is all games began. We brought soda, donuts A Message from the year, every year, and we keep them in and O’Doul’s for their enjoyment. We Town Clerk our hearts and prayers. Thank you for had a great time and the vets enjoyed By Lyn O’Brien keeping us safe. themselves, they won lots of prizes and cash. Thank you to the Holyoke Soldiers This year’s parade is dedicated in memory Home staff for allowing us to come and Town Meeting and Election Info of Army Veteran Robert Fredsall. We will spend time with the vets. It was very • The Annual Town Meeting will be held on miss you and your jokes. rewarding. Tuesday May 16th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you on the parade route, At the Leeds Veterans Hospital, • The Annual Town Election will be held on Sunday, May 28th at 1:00 p.m.