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Daily DigestYuck!
 There's a winter storm warning in effect until 7 a.m. on Thursday with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected. Be prepared for a messy morning commute as freezing rain and sleet move through the region. The morning commute will be slippery — drive careful!
Some New York schools, including Hoosick Falls Central School and St. Mary's Academy in Hoosick Falls have already canceled classes.
All North County schools are closed; Pittsfield, Lanesborough, Berkshire Hills, Southern Berkshire and Central Berkshire school districts are closed. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
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 iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
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North Adams Orders Property Cleaned UpBy Tammy Daniels - October 22, 2008
iBerkshires Staff
 | | The city is ordering the owner of 129 North St. to clean up and button up the property. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A North Street homeowner is being given 30 days to clean up his property or risk having it declared a public nuisance.
Several neighbors of Edward Burdick's 129 North St. property met with the Public Safety Committee on Tuesday afternoon to express their concerns over the trash and garbage in the yard and the condition of the vacant house.
"You have no idea what it's like," said one neighbor. She added that a new resident to the street had paid good money for his home only to get a view of Burdick's back yard. "It just fries him something wicked in the fall to look down there at the city dump. That's what we call it, the city dump."
Burdick had been notified of the meeting, set at last week's City Council meeting, but did not appear. Committee Chairman Ronald Boucher said Burdick did not call or try to contact him.
"We've spent countless hours going back and forth with Mr. Burdick," said Building Inspector William Meranti. He said violations date back years and a fire in the basement in February has only made conditions there worse. "We push and push and once we back off, all work stops."
According to those at the meeting, the house and barn behind it are open to the weather, building materials and trash are scattered about the yard, the eroding driveway is undermining the porch, and cats have been seen going in and out of the basement. The neighbors and Health Inspector Manuel Serrano also reported an increase in rodent complaints in the neighborhood.
Meranti said the February fire caused little structural damage but that the electrical and plumbing "took a hit." Most of the other damage was confined to smoke. The house has been uninhabitable since then although the electricity was recently turned back on.
Appearing before the City Council in August, Burdick said the fire had set him back on repairs he'd been doing to the house. However, he maintained that he had been making progress despite his neighbors' constant complaining.
Both Meranti and Serrano asked the Public Safety Committee for help in forcing Burdick to take action. "I hate to put it this way, but the courts don't help us," said Meranti.
Both men said the city had been in and out of court with property owners before, including Burdick. The court would often give the owner an extended time line, or see some work done as an indication of progress. Then the work would stop and the process start all over again.
Councilor Marie Harpin, a member of the committee, said poorly maintained buildings lower everyone's property values. "I think everyone agrees it's time for him to clean it up."
Mayor John Barrett III pledged to crack down on blighted housing in his inaugural speech in January. Since then, a commission has been reviewing a list of properties and four have already been declared public nuisances. One of those has been demolished by the owner; the other three are still standing but are expected to be taken down.
Meranti said he and Serrano were prepared to send separate letters to Burdick ordering him to clean up but would like backing from the City Council.
"I'm looking for an option. We don't have enough teeth in our regulations to enforce this," said Meranti.
Boucher said the council could declare the property a public nuisance if no progress had been made. He planned to ask the mayor to request the City Council to set a public hearing for Nov. 12. That would coincide with the 30 days set by Meranti and Serrano.
"If the city could declare this a public nuisance it will give us leverage," said Serrano. |
| Rhetoric no its how I live my life to help my neighbors, friends, family and strangers. I have been there and seen with my own eyes.You are judging someone whom you do not know the circunstances involved. Have you not heard of Habitant for Humanity?The man has a physical disability. All you neeighbors should join together to offer help, was that done after the fire?No.... | | from: Angel | on: 01-05-2009 |
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Its not just religious Rhetoric its how we help our fellow man,no matter who it may be. When visiting NoAdams prior to the fire I would sit in
the garden which was quite lovely.I smelled nothing,saw nothing.If I lived next door I would offer my help, just as I do for my neighbors and employees.The disability of the gentleman is Physical not Mental. Lets hope it never happens to you. | | from: Native | on: 01-05-2009 |
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While tossing in religious rhetoric can be entertaining, just looking at the picture of this mess should be enough for most to realize that this has been going on for quite a while. Go visit the site in person, and ask yourself if you would like to live next to that mess.
I was unaware that hoarding is a disability that would keep you from maintaining property in any way. Maybe if they are that bad off, they should just rent. | | from: Not from north Adams | on: 01-04-2009 |
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NEIGHBORS, CITY COUNCELOR, BUILDING INSPECTOR:
Gee you would never know its the Christmas Season. Wheres your spirit? Why don't you offer HELP?? Do something positive instead of being so NEGATIVE. How old is that PICTURE???? I hope you never have a fire in your home or a Disability of the father and children. If you don't want to be KIND then do a fundraiser, maybe there are other people that are kind.Did you ever stop to think GEE MAYBE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY??? Have you forgotten we are supposed to Love Thy Neighbor????Inspector I'm sure you must be well versed with building codes, offer your Personal Help on the wkends. Be Constructive and you will have results by JOINING TOGETHER. | | from: ANGEL | on: 01-02-2009 |
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The guy looking into this yard should put a fence so he does not have to look.
He should also put one over his mouth. | | from: fish bowl | on: 12-23-2008 |
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| I know Mr. Burdick has been working on the premises. The car has been fixed. The cellar windows have been covered. Extensive electrical work has been done recently. The backyard has been cleaned up substantially. Give the guy a break. We're all feeling the pinch. Times are tough. | | from: Helper | on: 11-05-2008 |
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