NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Plans for the new Cumberland Farms on Ashland Street finally appear to be moving forward with the closing on the old City Yard last month.
The convenience store chain purchased the property at 227-245 Ashland St. on Friday, June 30.
Mayor Thomas Bernard had pushed for the Westborough-based convenience chain to close before the end of the fiscal year, rejecting the company's request for another extension on the purchase-and-sales agreement from October 2017.
Cumberland had offered $575,000 — $100,000 more than the assessed value — with the caveat that up to half that could be offset for cleanup. The chain had been looking for a larger location close to the downtown for several years.
In the final deal, the property went for $550,000 with the agreement that Cumberland would pay upfront taxes on a listed price of $575,000, as recorded at the Registry of Deeds. Administrative Officer Michael Canales said there are cleanup costs but the entire amount is not yet known.
The Ashland Street complex had been put to bid with five other properties in 2017 after the city bought the former anodizing plant at Hodges Cross Road to serve as the new City Yard. The former plant has been largely retrofitted to accommodate Highway, Cemetery, Building, and Parks and Recreation Departments and the animal shelter with room to spare.
Cumberland Farms was approved for a 5,800-square-foot store and eight gas pumps last fall but returned to the Planning Board earlier this year with modified plans to reduce the building to around 4,600 square feet and by one parking spot.
The original plans had been to start construction in the spring but is now expected sometime this summer. Two historic place markers on the buildings are set to be preserved and relocated to prominent locations in the new City Yard.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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