POLL OF ADAMS RESIDENTS
Introduction
TOTAL SAMPLE SIZE (N = 228)Hi, my name is (first name only ). I'm a student at BCC, and I'm doing a research project on people's opinions about economic issues in Adams. I'd really appreciate it if you could take just a few moments to answer some short questions. It should take less than seven minutes. (If silence:) May I go ahead?
Before we begin, I'd like to assure you that all your responses are anonymous and confidential. (If necessary:) All results will be presented as percentages of people who
agree or disagree with various statements.
(1a) Are you a resident in this household?
yes (1) [go to question 1b] no (2) May I speak to someone there who is?
(If new respondent takes the phone, repeat Introduction)
(If not: "Is there a later time that I could reach someone who lives there?")
(1b) Are you at least 18 years old?
yes (1) [go to question 1c] no (2) May I speak to someone there who is?
(If new respondent takes the phone, repeat Introduction)
(If not: "Is there a later time that I could reach someone who's 18 or over?")
(1c) How long have you lived in Adams? average = 30 years
(2) How often do you visit downtown Adams for the following reasons? (Your choices will be "at least once/week", "at least once/month", "rarely", or "never".)
at least once/week (1) at least once/month (2) rarely (3) never (4)
1) to see a doctor or dentist
avg = 3 2) to do business at a bank avg = 1.63) to eat at a restaurant avg = 2 4) to shop avg = 2 5) other(specify) avg = 1.3
(3) Which, if any, of the following new businesses would you like to see open up downtown?
a hotel (1) bed & breakfasts (2) restaurants (3) shops (4) other (specify)
19% 29% 65% 70% see output
(4) The next questions deal with Greylock Glen. As you may know, the Glen is the thousand acres of foothills on the Adams side of Mt. Greylock, off of West Road above Jaeschke's ("Yes-skis") Orchard. It's currently owned by the state and open to the public.
Have you ever visited the Glen? yes
_ 85%_ (1) How often?(42% of these 1/ month or more)
no (2) [Skip to question 6]
(5) What activities have you engaged in at the Glen?
hiking (1) picnicking (2) swimming (3) skiing (4) hunting (5) other (specify)
64% 49% 35% 14% 7% 32 more
(percents are of those who have visited Glen)
(6) As you may have heard, a development has been proposed for Greylock Glen. This has led to a lot of discussion about how the area should be used. As a result, several different ideas have been suggested at various times. I'm going to list eight ideas one at a time, and for each one, I'd like you to tell me how you feel about it.
These will be your choices: (a) you'd like to see that component included in the development, (b) you would not like to see that component included in the development, or (c) you're not sure whether or not it should be included. So for each option, please respond: "Like", "Dislike", or "Not sure". Later, you can also suggest additional ideas.
Here are the eight ideas: Like (1) Dislike (2) Not sure (3)
a) an expanded hiking trail system 85% 3 % 12%
b) a bicycle trail 81% 7 % 12%
c) an environmental education center 69% 8 % 23%
d) a 40-room inn 36% 45% 19%
e) a 160-room hotel & conference center 23% 60% 17%
f) an 18-hole golf course & club house 47% 38% 15%
g) 300 private homes 13% 67% 20%
h) parking to accommodate up to 1000 cars 22% 61% 17%
(7) Would you like to take a minute to say why you support or oppose any of these components?
See Qualitative Data
(8) One final idea has been the suggestion that no development of any kind should occur at the Glen. Do you like, do you dislike, or are you not sure about that idea?
Like (1) Dislike (2) Not sure (3)
no development of any kind
30% 35% 35%
(9) Do you have suggestions of your own for how the Glen should be used?
See Qualitative Data
(10) Suppose the private homes and golf course were incorporated into the Greylock Glen project. What do you think the overall effect on the economy and the quality of life for current residents of Adams would be? The choices are:
7% 30% 26%
completely positive (1) more positive than negative (2) equally positive & negative (3)
more negative than positive (4) completely negative (5)
26% 11% avg = 3.0
(11) Some residents of Adams point to the potential positive effects of the housing and golf components of the Greylock Glen proposal. How likely do you think any of the following positive effects would be if the homes and golf course were incorporated into the project? The choices are:
unlikely to occur (1) somewhat likely to occur (2) very likely to occur (3)
Now here's the list of potential positive effects:
a) new employment opportunities for Adams residents avg = 2.3
b) new recreational opportunities for Adams residents
avg = 2.3c) a reduction in property taxes avg = 1.6
d) increased tourism in downtown Adams avg = 2.2
(12) How important to you is each of these potential positive effects? In other words, if
a positive effect--say new employment opportunities--occurred to a moderate degree, how important would you feel it was? The choices are:
not important (1) somewhat important (2) very important (3)
Again, here's the list of potential positive effects:
a) new employment opportunities for Adams residents avg = 2.4
b) new recreational opportunities for Adams residents avg = 2.4
c) a reduction in property taxes avg = 2.5
d) increased tourism in downtown Adams avg = 2.2
(13) Other residents of Adams have raised concerns about the potential negative effects of the housing and golf components of the Greylock Glen proposal. How likely do you think any of the following negative effects would be if the homes and golf course were incorporated into the project? Again, the choices are:
unlikely to occur (1) somewhat likely to occur (2) very likely to occur (3)
Now here's the list of potential negative effects:
a) traffic congestion avg = 2.3
b) a rise in crime avg = 1.9
c) a rise in property taxes avg = 2.1
d) a loss of wildlife habitat avg = 2.3
e) reduced public access to the Glen avg = 2.2
(14) How important to you is each of these potential negative effects? In other words, if a negative effect--say a rise in crime--occurred to a moderate degree, how important would you feel it is? Again, the choices are:
not important (1) somewhat important (2) very important (3)
Again, here's the list of potential negative effects:
a) traffic congestion avg = 2.3
b) a rise in crime avg = 2.6
c) a rise in property taxes avg = 2.6
d) a loss of wildlife habitat avg = 2.4
e) reduced public access to the Glen avg = 2.3
I just have a couple more quick questions.
(15) Last June, as an incentive to the developer, Town Meeting exempted the proposed Greylock Glen golf course from property taxes for a period of twenty years. Do you agree or disagree with this decision?
agree (1) 20% disagree (2) 54% not sure (3) 26%
(16) Five million dollars of state money is available to attract tourists to the area. This money has not yet been spent. What percentage would you like to see spent on developing downtown Adams, and what percentage would you like to see spent on developing the Glen?
downtown: 59% Glen 41%
To finish up, just a couple of questions about you.
(17) Are you a registered voter in the town of Adams? yes (1) 82% no (2)
(18) Which age bracket are you in? 18-29 (1) 30-44 (2) 45-59 (3)
60-74 (4) 75+ (5)
average = 2.75 (in category 45 - 59 years)
(19) Is there anything you'd like to add?
See Qualitative Data
Closing
I should let you know that this questionnaire was designed by professors at all the colleges in Berkshire County--BCC, Simon's Rock, MCLA, and Williams.
If you're interested in the results of the poll, they'll be available at Berkshire Community College.
Again, I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much.