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Forming
Katywil
Colrain, Massachusetts,
United States
Double rainbow viewed from Upper Common House
 Ecovillage in Colrain, MA: Sustainability, near self-sufficiency, and beautiful views. 16 active-and- passive-solar, hydro-powered*, superinsulated duplexes on 112 acres of meadows, orchards and woodlands overlooking Stone Mountain and Catamount.
20 minutes from Rt. 91; 3.5 hours from Manhattan and 2 hours from Boston; 45 minutes to Amherst, Williamstown, and Northampton, MA, and Brattleboro, VT. 20 minutes to Greenfield, MA, 15 minutes to Shelburne Falls, MA. Rural, but not isolated, near Berkshires social/arts/academic communities.
Planned features include orchards, private and community gardens, edible-forest gardens, berry patches, bee hives, hiking trails,and a community green. The community "barn" will have mailboxes, gathering space, half-bath, half-kitchen, living room, and workshop space for exercising, woodworking, and crafts.
ADA-designed for "aging in place," the duplex houses feature galley kitchens, carports, mudrooms, living/dining rooms, bedrooms and handicapped-accessible bathrooms on the first floor and 2 bedrooms and bath and lots of storage on second floor. (In some duplexes the second floor will be on the lower level.) High R-value windows. Small wood stove. Firewood sustainably cut on property. Solar-heated domestic hot water. No/low maintenance Hardie Plank exterior and metal roof. Recycled/salvaged and local/regional materials used where possible.
Vision Statement for Katywil, an Ecovillage: Community stewardship of ourselves, each other, our land, our Town, and, by example, our region.
 
Website: http://www.katywil.com
Contact:
Bill Cole
43 Stetson Brothers Rd
Colrain, Massachusetts 01340 United States
Phone: 413-624-5599
Email This Community!
Last Updated:10/13/2006
 
Visitors Accepted
Visitor Process: Call or email Bill Cole at 413-624-5599 or bill@katywil.com.
Population
Open to new adults:
Yes
Open to new children:
Yes
Open to which gender(s):
All genders welcome
Age Focus:
Middle Age
Age Restrictions:
No
Government
Decision Making:
Other
(Decision-making process determined by relative importance of issue at hand)
Identified Leader:
Yes
Leadership Core Group:
No
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
Labor Contribution:
Expected
Join Fee:
Yes
(Fee TBD)
Regular Fees:
Yes
(Monthly/annual maintenance fee)
Land and Buildings
Rural
Area:
112 acres (45.3 hectares)
Land Owned By:
The community
Number of Residences:
16
(16 units in 8 duplexes)
Cohousing:
Yes
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
(TBD by those buying into Katywil)
Share Community Meals:
1-3 times/month
(TBD by those buying into Katywil)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Other
(TBD by those buying into Katywil)
Dietary Practice:
Other
(TBD by those buying into Katywil)
Alcohol Use:
(TBD by those buying into Katywil)
Tobacco Use:
(TBD by those buying into Katywil)
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
No
Shared Spiritual Path:
No
Educational Style(s):
Home schooling
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Own Site
(Legal hurdles completed; site plan and house design done; ready to build)
Number of Units:
16 units in 8 duplexes
Square Feet in Common House:
4400
(A community "barn" is also planned.)
Architect:
Peter Herman, AIA
Developer:
Bill Cole
Commercial Lender:
TBD
 
 
Double rainbow viewed from Upper Common House
Click an image to see it full size.


Become an Editor Current editor(s): BillCole
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