To the Editor:

I admit to being quite conflicted reading the letter from your Berne code enforcement officer in last week’s Enterprise. I worked with Tim Lippert on Rensselaerville Farmland Protection a few years back, and know him to be a person of integrity and good will, and still do.

His list of negative references while calling Switzkill Farm the town’s “wonderful treasure” surprised me a bit. Another surprise: his characterization of the motives of your town supervisor in thinking of utilizing the farm for the Berne summer festival, which, after consideration, the town decided not to do.

The Switzkill Farm property is indeed a treasure, here in the midst of Berne. A spacious park that could wisely be a place for exploratory heritage farming to benefit the community and beyond, as well as near-home recreation, educational and social activities — truly “country” in contrast to the spiffy, modernized Thacher Park, a quite different kind of Albany County gem.

The small local Buddhist community enjoyed the Switzkill Road land previously for a number of years in good health and safety, undaunted by roads that are necessarily narrow in a densely wooded environment. In 2010, a 10-day retreat was held for hundreds, including Hilltown neighbors, for which ample water, parking, toilets, and electricity were readily available. Even in inclement weather, meditation activities continued, save during storms that kept all of us at home.

I trust that plans will continue to develop that will improve, if not widen, the roads for future first responders passing in the dark, should there be a need. Much investment in infrastructure was made in the lower “retreat house,” with agreement from the Open Space Institute to make the most of that location. The basics have been done and, with county permission, the lodge is also rich with possibility for usage.

My hope has long been that the town board will at last clearly authorize the voluntary Switzkill Farm governance board to work to secure the future of this treasure. In the absence of entrusting the Switzkill governance volunteers with authority of their own, that can’t happen. The town park, which still serves a good purpose, is nowhere comparable in scope to the wonderful future possibilities of enjoyment for residents and neighbors alike.

And as for Kevin Crosier — with whom I joined with the the Open Space Institute and the county to make sure the true potential of this glorious, unspoiled land is not squandered — I saw no “ego,” but a lot of dedication to not letting this opportunity be lost, as was the Warner’s Lake land many years back.

Happily, I don’t know the political ins and outs of Berne, but Kevin’s intention to not let this chance be lost was in clear evidence to me during the time we worked together — I representing the legacy of its well-intentioned Buddhist past, he for the sake of the town and its unique future in the beautiful Hilltowns, with the long-term presence of Switzkill Farm.

Again, my hope is that the town board will recognize the value of Switzkill Farm, and, finally, cooperatively authorize its volunteer governance board to work without undue interference and with all possible positive support from the town. Without that clarification of responsibilities, Switzkill Farm will never be ready to host the summer festival, or any other of its great possibilities for public service in this uniquely beautiful and hospitable spot.

Joanna Bull

Rensselaerville