Members of the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts know they have an ally in state Sen. Paul Mark, D-Becket.
That’s why the senator, who represents the 57 cities and towns in the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District, was chosen by the association to receive its Legislator of the Year award. Previous recipients have included state Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, in 2025, and former state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli in 2024.
“He worked so hard for us,” Chip Jones, the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts’ government affairs director, said of Mark.
Jones said that one of the reasons the association chose Mark to receive the award was due to his sponsorship of S.633, “An Act to Establish a Free Snowmobile Weekend.” The bill aims to create a free snowmobile weekend in which registered snowmobilers from other states could come to Massachusetts to ride on the 2,200 miles of trails that are maintained by the Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts.
“That’s why Paul won the award, because he went above and beyond,” Jones said.
Mark said he is grateful for the award, and he also thanked the association for highlighting the economic benefits that S.633 would bring to western Massachusetts.
“This is a good economic driver for outdoor tourism and outdoor recreation, and something that brings people to the region in the colder months and in the snowy months as well. … I was happy to work with them on it,” he said.
Jones highlighted the importance of the work that the snowmobile association does, explaining the contributions it makes toward maintaining trails, especially in the winter, and the positive impact that snowmobiling can have on local businesses.
“Snowmobilers aren’t crazy guys with large sleds; they are family people with kids. They bring multiple sleds in with their family and they stop at gas stations. The gas station owners profit,” Jones said. “If you ask [a snowmobiler] where they are going to ride on a Saturday, it will always be to a restaurant where they eat, and the restaurant, in return, makes money.”
Along with Mark, Jones acknowledged the work of state Reps. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, and Susannah Whipps, I-Athol.
“This isn’t … the politicians that everyone wants to hate,” Jones said of the local delegation. “These are good people who go out and care about their constituents, and care about their state and work hard for them.”
