More than 20 supporters of the Rutland Prison Camp turned out to a Rutland Historical Commission meeting on April 28 to protest the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) plans for the site. DCR has proposed demolishing the cell block and blocking off the root cellar, alleging structural safety concerns and persistent hate and/or racist graffiti.

The meeting was an opportunity for the commission to meet with DCR to counter the demolition plans and present their solutions to retain the structures. Joining the meeting that night were Rutland Police Chief Nicholas Monaco, State Senator Peter Durant, State Representative Kimberly Ferguson’s staff, and Rutland Select Board member Leah Whiteman. 

DCR and Rutland have been meeting to discuss the structures at the prison camp for many years. Representing DCR that night were Dan Clark, regional director, Quabbin/Ware River Region and John Scannell, director of the Division of Water Supply Protection.

Lindsay Maus, Historical Commission member, read five proposals that would address DCR’s concerns:

• Install “Historic Structures – Do Not Climb” signs

• Community Painting Initiative

• Mural Contest for Prison Cells

• Apply Graffiti-Resistance Coating to the Root Cellar

• Replace broken/stolen Cameras

Chief Monaco stated that, in his opinion, the structures do not pose a public safety concern as the police department has not received any emergency calls to the site. He said Rutland police work collaboratively with the Mass Environmental Police Department, which patrols the DCR land. “We have not investigated any criminal acts” Monaco said, “except for graffiti. If there was something offensive it was painted over.” Monaco pointed out that even the trash has been picked up.

“Every once in a while, somebody breaks into a car at the rail trail,” Monaco continued, “and we don’t close the rail trail.”

Clark reviewed the commission’s proposals and then clarified that DCR does not propose to demolish the root cellar, but to block off its opening. “We will consider your proposals before we come to a decision,” Clark said.

Senator Durant responded, “Once removed or altered, these structures can’t be brought back. The commission has volunteers to address the graffiti. I don’t see a pressing need to take drastic actions that can’t be reversed.”

Corrine Puliafico, a life-long Rutland resident, asked what prompted DCR’s proposal to demolish or block off the structures. “Filling it in is just as bad as knocking it down,” she commented.

Scannell said that if somebody falls off the top of the cell block and dies, public opinion would be to blame the Commonwealth and DCR and ask, “How could you have let this happen?”

Puliafico, who was sitting right next to Scannell, responded, “If someone drowns at Whitehall Pond [at Rutland State Park} you don’t close the beach.”

Multiple residents then voiced their opinions that the site should remain as is and the commission’s proposals would, once put in place, counter DCR’s concerns. “There are cliffs in the park,” said Rutland resident Alex Moss, “you’re not going to take the cliffs down.”

After the public comment period, Scannell said that DCR would consider the commission’s proposal before they come to a decision. When he was asked for a timeframe for this decision, Scannell replied there wasn’t one. When he was asked who at DCR would make the final determination, he replied, “We haven’t made any decisions. We said we would listen to the commission and the public. We haven’t made any plans further than that.”

Senator Durant then asked if the town would be notified of any decisions before demolition would begin. Scannell nodded yes. “Equipment won’t come and tear down the structures before notice is given to the town?” Durant asked. Scannell shook his head no.

Chief Monaco remembered there had been a large hole that led to a deep pit in the prison camp area and that DCR had filled in that danger. “That was reasonable and prudent to fill it in,” said Monaco. “To tear down structures where there are no hazards is neither reasonable nor prudent,” Monaco concluded. 

After the meeting, when Scannell was asked how to obtain a copy of the structural engineering study he referred to, he told this reporter to go to the DCR website and file a Freedom of Information Act request. Since FOIA pertains to federal-level departments, WFP has reached out to the DCR media office for a copy of the study to understand the specific safety issues about which DCR is concerned  W.

WFP will continue to follow this story.