ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health says it can take no action on the former Curtis paper mill property until the town takes control of it.
Chairman Peter Hoyt told the board Wednesday that after talking with then Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco, he has the understanding that the board's hands are tied when it comes to the 115 Howland Ave. property.
"We wanted to make sure that we were all on the same page but until the town really takes over the property, which we are in the process of doing, we can't do a whole lot," Hoyt said. "There is no response from the property owner so, therefore, we can't enter the premise."
The town began the process of taking the property last year from MJD Real Estate, which owes more than $450,000 in property taxes.
Since then, residents have reported activity on the site even though MJD's permits were pulled. Activity included tractor trailers moving on and off the property, some kind of automotive repair operation and the storage of roll-offs.
The roll-offs caught the attention of the Board of Health because they were filled with potentially hazardous material.
"That is a building you don't want to walk around in," Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Romaniak said.
In other business, board member David Rhoads said the newly implemented transfer station seems to be a success and more than 450 permits have been sold.
Board member Bruce Shepley said the original goal was to sell 200 permits.
"There is a lot of positive feedback from those who are using it and there are still negative comments, but I think they are blending in," he said. "I think a year from now it will be accepted, and we will be able to possibly expand services."
The board did pass a policy stating that it would not accept propane tanks at the station but would refer patrons to other possible vendors if the situation arises.
"There are plenty of resources to get rid of propane tanks in Berkshire County and I think we can make this a permanent policy," Shepley said. "Maybe if the issue comes up we can address it again."
The board also put the kibosh on brush removal and brush burning by the Department of Public Works at the transfer station until it can figure out a better and fairer way to remove it.
"We need to sit down as a committee and look at alternatives to limit the amount of brush that comes in because we think there is a lot coming in from landscapers," Shepley said. "It is not a showstopper, but we have to figure something else out."
Before closing the meeting, the board agreed to seek more information on training from a company called 24Trauma that trains organizations in how to enter a potential biohazardous situation or a crime scene.
"They will show us how to safely enter a premise and not damage a crime scene or come in contact with the biohazardous material," Hoyt said.
Hoyt said Police Chief Richard Tarsa floated the idea and said the town may be able to host the training.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Adams Review Library, COA and Education Budgets
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen reviewed the public services, Hoosac Valley Regional School District and McCann Technical School budgets on Tuesday.
The workshop at the Adams Free Library was the third of four joint sessions to review the proposed $19 million fiscal 2025 budget. The first workshop covered general government, executive, finance and technology budgets; the second public works, community development and the Greylock Glen.
The Council on Aging and library budgets have increases for wages, equipment, postage and software. The Memorial Day budget is level-funded at $1,450 for flags and for additional expenses the American Legion might have; it had been used to hire bagpipers who are no longer available.
The COA's budget is up 6.76 percent at $241,166. This covers three full-time positions including the director and five regular per diem van drivers and three backup drivers. Savoy also contracts with the town at a cost of $10,000 a year based on the number of residents using its services.
Director Sarah Fontaine said the governor's budget has increased the amount of funding through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs from $12 to $14 per resident age 60 or older.
"So for Adams, based on the 2020 Census data, says we have 2,442 people 60 and older in town," she said. "So that translates to $34,188 from the state to help manage Council on Aging programs and services."
The COA hired a part-time meal site coordinator using the state funds because it was getting difficult to manage the weekday lunches for several dozen attendees, said Fontaine. "And then as we need program supplies or to pay for certain services, we tap into this grant."
Desroches graduated from the Police Academy on March 22 in the top tier in his class. He's currently in the field training program and assigned to Sgt. Curtis Crane.
click for more
Michael Wynn, who was selected in January to run the center, submitted a level operating budget of $57,500 but said he could pull funding from different lines to ensure there was money for advertising this fall.
click for more
The Selectmen on Wednesday night voted to award the bid to Mackin Construction Co. Inc. of Greenfield, which plans to invest $11 million to build out 20 or more one- and two-bedroom apartments in the three-story classroom wing that parallels Columbia Street.
click for more
The Selectmen two weeks ago had requested the utility appear before the board after receiving numerous complaints over flickering lights, including in Town Hall.
click for more
Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more