About Us

Meet HRR

The Hoosic River Revival has been working with engineers and urban planners since 2010 to assess the conditions of the 70 year old flood control system, and to develop options for system modernization that would ensure flood mitigation but also improve the health of the river and create corridor enhancements, such as bike paths and accessibility to the river.

Our Mission & Vision

The Hoosic River Revival (HRR) is a volunteer organization dedicated to transforming the aging Hoosic River flood chutes using leading-edge engineering and naturalization measures to reduce flood risk and enhance climate resilience. We envision an attractive, accessible, healthy, flood-controlled river, which will enhance our downtown and the quality of life for all residents, businesses, and visitors. HRR will accomplish this through advocacy, education, and action in partnership with the City of North Adams (CoNA) and other stakeholders.

Our Call to Action

Climate Resiliency

Flood safety and protection. Climate patterns are changing and climate models predict that the Northeast will see more precipitation and larger, more frequent storms. Those conditions were unanticipated in the 1940s when the North Adams flood control system was designed. A redesign of our flood chute system provides a great opportunity to use modern engineering to build more resiliency and capacity into a new flood control system, which will  greatly reduce the impact of the large storms western Massachusetts will experience.

Enhanced stormwater management. By replacing some concrete with nature-based features (think swales and rain gardens) the volume of runoff reaching the river can be reduced - an important factor in flood risk reduction. These natural features also lessen the amount of pollution that reaches the river by filtering runoff from streets, roofs and lawns.

Low maintenance cost. Our understanding of river flows has evolved, as has the engineering of flood control systems. New methods can result in flood control systems that hold up better over time and are less costly to maintain.

Economic Revitalization

A regional recreational and cultural attraction. Residents of the North Adams area have been dependent on the Hoosic River forever. Today our economy is largely based on cultural, educational, hospitality, and retail establishments. A thoughtful plan for our flood control system would enhance the appeal of those destinations as well as providing new opportunities for housing, river-based recreation, bike trails, and new businesses.

An economic engine for North Adams. Enhanced riverways are shown to increase opportunities for development along the waterfront. Entertainment venues, public spaces, greenways, pedestrian routes, new housing -- all of these are likely with a well-designed flood control system that’s integrated into the downtown infrastructure. And, that kind of development will attract new residents and businesses, bolstering tax revenues and reestablishing the river as the economic heart of the city.

Restored River Ecology

Opportunities to improve water quality and restore wildlife habitat. A redesign of our flood control system could vastly improve the ecology of our river. By building a low-flow channel inside the chutes, fish would be able to continuously travel through the chuted area. Terraced banks and native plantings along the river could help birds find places to perch, feed, and nest, as well as keep the river water cool for fish and cleanse runoff.

Strengthened Sense of Community

Re-creation of community gathering spaces. The modernization of the flood control system with an innovative, inclusive design is an opportunity to create gathering spaces in our downtown area, such as walking and biking paths, parks, public squares, performance spaces, and other community-oriented venues.

Cultural, Historical, and Recreational Connections. North Adams is in the midst of the Appalachian Trail, the Mohawk Trail, and the emerging Adventure Trail for biking. A redesign of our flood control system can add kayaking, fishing, bird-watching, and other outdoor activities, making North Adams a real integration of man-made and natural environments.

Our History

  • North Adams City Council approves bonding for the feasibility study. HRR and the City develop a Four-Point Action Plan for discussion with the Corps. HRR Board of Directors completes a 3-year strategic plan with a focus on community engagement.

  • City and HRR submit application to the U.S. Corps for Feasibility Study acceptance/authorization.

  • North Adams Municipal Vulnerability Plan: flood chutes restoration/modernization is a priority.

  • The Inter-Fluve/Sasaki team develop a conceptual plan for the entire South Branch. A Pilot Project plan was submitted to NY Army Corps of Engineers for review. GZA Engineers’ Analysis of the North Adams system: “Four fallen wall panels and 7 leaning panels…faulty construction.”

  • HRR continues to consult with local, state, federal stakeholders about a pilot project.

  • Over 90 North Adams residents attend an all-day forum with river consultants, Milone & MacBroom, resulting in enthusiastic consensus on the need to continue research on river restoration for the City.

Board of Directors

PETER BREEN  

A North Adams native, Peter is retired from a forty-year career in business and education. He continues to pursue his lifelong interests in nature, technology, history, cultures and genealogy, along with being our tech advisor and inveterate researcher.

NANCY BULLETT, Co-President

A physical therapist by training, but community activist by nature, Nancy has rejoined the River Revival Board after a brief hiatus out of state. She brings her love of her hometown and extensive relevant experience as a former four-term member of the N.A City Council and past member of the Windsor Lake Commission. She is a Museum Educator at MassMoCA.

TIMOTHY J. CAFFREY, Co-President

A North Adams native, Williams College graduate, former market researcher, and retired US Army Colonel, Tim is now a family physician in San Antonio, TX, where he regularly sees a city totally revitalized because of an active riverfront economy. Having bought his grandfather’s home in North Adams, and visiting family regularly, Tim is interested in contributing to the North Adams renaissance through his work on our project.

KURT GAMARI  

Supervisor of our famous Natural Bridge State Park, Kurt is formally trained in environmental sciences and brings management, public relations, and financial reporting experience. This long-time natural resources advocate is also a very able board member on the planning board, select board, and conservation commission in Stamford, VT.

KRISTIN GRAVES,  Treasurer 

Since buying a house next to the Hoosic River in 2014, Kristin has become involved in many community activities, from walking tours to art projects. Now retired, she supports the Board with her college study of Economics and Geography and her professional work as an energy usage and conservation analyst, a proposal writer, and a financial manager.

JUDY GRINNELL, Founder and Past President

Founder in 2008 of HRR and long-term Board President, she continues to be the champion of this project. Fortunately, she has a wide variety of experience and training that suit the needs of this multi-faceted project: leader and participant in many North Berkshire community organizations, candidate for public office, school teacher, book publishing Sales Manager, and a college graduate with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

ADAM HERRON

Adam moved from Oahu, HI to New England 5 years ago and lives with his wife and two children in southern Vermont where he spends many hours on the water and in the woods fishing, hiking and camping. He recently started a second career as a land-use, energy, and environmental attorney in Albany, NY.

NICOLAS HOWE  

Originally from the Boston suburbs, Nick teaches Environmental Studies at Williams College and is an avid fisherman and canoeist. He is interested in river history, climate change, and environmental justice. He lives in Williamstown with his wife and two daughters.

BRIAN SLOSS

A recent transplant to the northeast, Brian spent the last 20 years owning and operating an outfitting business on one of the original 8 National Wild and Scenic rivers, the Eleven Point River, in the Missouri Ozarks. Brian's love and passion for rivers and the animals that live in and around them inspired him to co-found a small nonprofit benefiting the Eleven Point River. Brian is excited to bring his passion and experience to the HRR.

RICHARD TAVELLI

Richard served on the HRR Advisory Council following his service as Co-President with HRR Founder Judy during which a major reorientation of HRR was achieved. He rejoined the Board in 2024.

A North Adams native, Richard has extensive sector experience in the energy and environmental fields, with functional responsibilities for operations, marketing, finance, human resources, sales, regulatory affairs, and environmental compliance. Since retiring from full-time employment with his mergers & acquisitions advisory firm in 2014, Richard has devoted much of his time to working with small local nonprofits to promote economic development and the arts in the Northern Berkshires.

PAM TWORIG, Vice-President

Pam has lived in the area and watched its evolution since 1979. She and her late husband spent over thirty-five years in the landscape construction business. They also operated a tree and shrub nursery operation on their twenty-acre farm along the North Branch of the Hoosic River in Stamford, VT. Pam is currently a real estate agent and describes herself as North Adams's biggest cheerleader.

Advisory Council

Tina Soltis

Lauren Stevens

Elena Traister

David Willette

Tom Jorling

Cary Kandel-Nadler

Roberta Lamb

Jake Laughner

Paul Marino

Al Bashevkin

Alice Bojanowski

Corry Buckwalter

Cindy Delpapa

Marion Grillon