Historical Commission Approves Demolition for Former Synagogue

By Joe DurwinPittsfield Correspondent
04:15PM / Tuesday, May 22, 2012Print Story | Email Story

The Historical Commission voted in favor of demolishing a century-old synagogue on Robbins Avenue. The building, owned by the Christian Center, has long been vacant.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission voted unanimously Monday in favor of demolition requests for two derelict buildings deemed unworthy of preservation.

The commission determined that while the structures, located at 177 Robbins Ave. and at 3 McLaughlin Place, are not devoid of historical significance, their current condition and lack of potential for reuse do not merit efforts at preservation.

The Robbins Avenue building was once the home of a westside synagogue, housing the Ahavath Sholem Congregation founded in 1911. Vacant for some decades, the property currently belongs to the Christian Center. A request for a predetermination of historical significance had come before the commission in January 2008, at which time research had been conducted on its background, as well as outreach to the local Jewish community.

The commission had found that while the property dates back to the historic Childs Farm that once occupied a large portion of the city's now residential westside neighborhood, there was no indication the Childs family ever used it. The former chairman of the Historical Commission met with members of the local Jewish community at that time to obtain their input.

"Nothing came of that in terms of anyone coming forward wanting to do anything with the property," said commission member Kathleen Reilly. At that time the building was already in a state of serious disrepair and had been condemned.

Todd Burdick, who abstained from the vote as a member of the board of the Christian Center, added the perspective of that organization, which currently owns the building. The faith-based westside philanthropical organization had originally acquired the property in 1998, as part of its long-term mission of being able to offer more services to that neighborhood.

Burdick told the committee that the Christian Center had been recently told by its insurance carrier that the organization itself might be uninsurable if the structure was not demolished. At the time of the 2008 determination, the city had been slated to tear it down, he said, but now the center plans to use its own endowment funds to undertake the project.

"We've needed that building gone for years," Burdick explained, adding that the building stands in the way - physically, financially, and because of the insurance risk - to its long-term goals of seeing a more dynamic "campus" area as part of its operation of serving that neighborhood.

The former synagogue is next door to what was once St. John's Masonic Lodge, which has also been vacant for many years.

The structure at 3 McLaughlin St., in the Morningside neighborhood, was also determined to be too badly ruined to merit further discussion of preservation.

This house is adjacent to the former Pittsfield High School building, on a tiny side street off Second Street. Built in 1906, it was at one time the home of Bernard J. Murphy, who served as a city councilor in the 1950s and '60s.

Also at its Monday meeting, the commission further discussed the situation surrounding the former Plunkett School on Fenn Street, for which demolition was delayed after Cafua Management proposed to build a drive-through doughnut shop there earlier this year. (Photos here.)

City Planner Cornelius J. Hoss said a publicized competing offer from a prospective buyer looking to restore and repurpose the building was essentially identical to one that had already failed to capture the interest of the current owners.

"The offer that was made was exactly the one that was made when they had the choice between that and the one from Cafua Management," Hoss told the commission.

While the prospective buyer is willing to pay full price and wants to redevelop the building for housing, funding and approval could draw that out for one to two years. If plans fell through, they would be able to back out of the purchase.

The commission asked what actions the city, either through the commission or the Department of Community Development, could take to market the building to other potential developers. Hoss said it was not under the purview of the city to actively solicit buyers for this privately held property. The city would have to look into a formal legal opinion on what actions and efforts would be considered appropriate for members of the commission to help market the property.

Tags: demolition, historical building, historical commission,

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Rain Slows Growth of Butternut Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:35PM / Thursday, November 21, 2024

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— Rain has slowed the Butternut Fire's growth but it's estimated at about 1,200 acres at this point.

It's the largest wildfire in the Berkshires since nearly a 1,000 acres burned in Clarksburg State Forest back in 2021.

"We want to start with some good news. Ground patrols are finding minimal new fire activity since this morning's rains began," the Great Barrington Fire Department posted on its Facebook page at 12:45 p.m..

"We want to reiterate that the rain will not extinguish the fire but it is helping to stop the spread. The weather has also delayed some of the drone operations — as a result we do not have an official size. What we do know — the growth has been minimal."

Fire Lt. Brian Mead earlier Thursday morning said the fire had seen some growth overnight but not to extent of Wednesday's surge. Fire was reported within a quarter mile of homes and was "stopped in its tracks." There are now more than 100 personnel on the ground and there has been one injury related to the fire, which he did not elaborate on.

"The rain will help to some extent but it will not extinguish the fire," said Mead. "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come but we still need your help. Please, please follow the local and state bans on outdoor fire. The last thing we need is another preventable fire."

At 4 p.m., the department reported that it will continue to operate under unified command with support from local, state, and federal agencies. Friday's operations will be scaled back with smaller crews and focused on monitoring and reporting.

At the last live update of the day, Mead said the fire would continue to be monitored and fire crews dispatched as needed.

"There is a lot of misinformation on out social media and we ask that you please, please rely on local official sites," he said. "Please avoid the areas and allow us to do our work."

The rain and smoke has made drone monitoring difficult so the exact size of the fire is not known; he estimated it grew about 100 acres over the past 24 hours.

Two rumors he dispelled were that the fire did not start at Camp Eisner. Mead said the initial location of the burn has not been identified but it did not start at the camp, which is occupied. Ski Butternut is also not in danger and that fire crews have kept the blaze to a safe distance.

A section of the Appalachian Trail has been affected and that area shut down.

Thursday's rain slowed growth and allowed crews to establish strong fire boundaries meaning that swaths have been cut and cleared to create fire breaks — which are holding.

At this time, no homes or structures are in immediate danger.

The fire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain was first reported Monday evening. On Tuesday, it spread over 100 acres, and on Wednesday, it covered over 1,100 acres, expanding into Sheffield.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Firefighters were dispatched to three locations for concerns of fire extension into homes and in one instance, the fire was allowed to continue in a controlled state to a driveway and self-extinguished. They are aware of one injury from the fire and urge community members to avoid the area and leave firefighting to the professionals.

"More than 120 personnel are on the ground today fighting this fire," Mead reported on Thursday morning.

He said the day’s rain will help to some extent but will not extinguish the fire, explaining "We will remain on scene for the days and weeks to come."

At this time, the primary focus remains the protection of life and property, as patrols and alert residents identified some encroaching fire and stopped it in its tracks.

"We have strategically placed structural task forces, prepared to protect homes and property. Although they are staged and at the ready — there is NO immediate threat to residents," the department wrote in the 12:45 update.

"At the same time, crews have been working through the rain cutting fire breaks in the forest to further stop any expansion. Those control lines are holding."

Area residents can expect smoke to linger for the next several days. The Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative released guidance for the poor air quality, as it can worsen allergies and cause respiratory infections, especially for those with heart disease asthma, or other lung diseases.

Residents are urged to monitor air quality and symptoms, move outdoor activities inside, wear a KN-95 mask when outdoors, close windows and vents in homes, and use HEPA filters.

Even with recent rains — there is a burn ban in Great Barrington until further notice. Additionally, state officials are evaluating week by week for statewide bans.

"With an immense amount of appreciation, we are not accepting donations at this time. In true New England fashion — neighbors have truly helped neighbors," the department wrote. "We are grateful to the community for once again showing your support."

Mead urged the community to "please please follow the local and state bans on fire, the last thing we need is another preventable fire."