Selectmen repeat determination to knock down old town garage

Print Story | Email Story
The old brick town garage on Water Street, its windows boarded and its aspect forlorn, is absolutely, positively coming down, the Selectmen reiterated unanimously at their Monday meeting. It will be demolished, the board determined, because it stands in the way of development that could generate more in taxes than any use of the 1920s former automobile dealership that served as the town’s Department of Public Works garage until 1998. Those prospective taxes are even more important in today’s economic climate, Selectmen said, and a multi-story building combining retail, offices and apartments is in line with the recommendations of the town’s Master Plan, which envisions the parcel as critical in the revitalization of Water Street. The Selectmen confirmed the building’s fate in a discussion Monday with Historical Commission Chairman Charles Bonenti, who voiced concerns that the circumstances surrounding the town’s application for demolition were “confusing.” And, Bonenti said, he was concerned that the Shanleys — Peter and Michael, brothers who own and operate Berkshire Ivy Gardens and wanted to renovate the building to house an antique automobile museum — may not have been kept informed of the board’s thinking on the building’s future. “I have this lingering feeling that the Shanleys were ill-dealt with,” said Bonenti. “I have to say I found the circumstances surrounding the town’s application for demolition confusing,” said Bonenti. The Historical Commission last Tuesday, Dec. 3, voted 5-2 not to impose a 90-day delay on demolition. On Monday, Selectmen voted unanimously — Selectman John Madden was absent — to proceed toward demolishing the structure before the request for proposals process is finished. This and earlier votes to demolish the dilapidated building, whose structure is insufficient to support additional stories, stemmed from the Selectmen’s belief that a clear site would appeal more to potential developers and expedite a process that many consider inevitable. The Master Plan calls for public parking on part of the site, as well as three- or four-story building combining retail, office and residential space. Said Selectman Jane Allen, “We do have to expand our tax base, and this is a property that’s going to help us do that.” But Selectman John “Jack” Merselis questioned, “are these seemingly contradictory uses mutually exclusive?” Town Manager Peter Fohlin said “The RFP process and the demolition process are unrelated.” Early last year, said Fohlin, who owns a black 1963 Cadillac and a light blue 1961 Cadillac, the Shanley’s idea drew support from “the unlikely duo of Dagmar Bubriski and myself.” In April, 2001, “the Selectmen instructed me not to take any further action on the property pending the results of the Master Plan, so we did nothing for more than a year.” The Selectmen Nov. 12 instructed Fohlin and DPW Director Timothy Kaiser to seek bids for demolition, and Nov. 25 voted unanimously to proceed with demolition which, he said, “we will do as diligently as we did nothing.” Selectmen Chairman Margaret Johnson Ware said the economic climate has turned gloomy since the Shanley’s idea first surfaced, making the tax-generation potential of the parcel even more crucial, and indeed imperative. Fohlin said that absent intervention by the Selectmen there is a 50-50 chance the building will be demolished in January. The RFP will be advertised in February and returned in May, he said. “A classic car museum is not likely to generate the highest selling price or the highest tax revenue,” said Fohlin. Fohlin said the RFP is “meant to attract proposals that are the most advantageous to the community in terms of job creation and housing.” Its potential as a tourist attraction has never been given a high ranking, he said. Selectman Charles Schlesinger said “the Master Plan very clearly says this should be a multi-use building with parking.” Also Monday, Fohlin, in his town manager’s report, told the board that the apparent low bidder for the Photech cleanup is Air Quality Experts of Salem, N.H., at $233,000. Other bidders were A+ Asbestos Abatement of Pawtucket, R.I., with $484,526; Accutech Insulation & Contracting of Ludlow, $399,500; Environmental Compliance Specialists of Kingston, N.H., with $280,000; GEM Environmental of North Adams, $411,748; D.L. King & Associates of Amherst, N.H., $397,000; Safe Environment of America of Ludlow, $350,000; Aeroclean Demolition Contractors of Trumbull, Conn., $448,300, and Suburban Middlesex Insulation of Norwood, $332,800. Fohlin also informed Selectmen that Officer Robin Hart submitted his resignation from the Williamstown Police Department to Chief of Police Arthur Parker Monday morning, and that Fohlin accepted the resignation that afternoon. Hart had been suspended since August pending the outcome of a charge of assault and battery against his estranged wife Debra Johnson Hart. On Friday, Hart was found guilty in Northern Berkshire District Court, where Judge Fredric D. Rutberg sentenced him to a year’s probation.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Warns Residents of Lead Pipe Survey Scam

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams is warning residents about scammers exploiting a city-run lead pipe survey project.

As mentioned in a letter sent to city residents, the city is undergoing a lead pipe survey. Since then, some residents have been contacted by scammers claiming to be part of the survey and looking for financial information.

Officials emphasized that the survey is free, and the city is not making phone calls to residents at this time. 

Residents are urged not to share financial details over the phone. Anyone receiving such calls should report the incident immediately to the North Adams Police Department at 413-664-4944, extension 1.

 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

A & E
image description

New Weekend Outlook: Storytimes, Tribute Bands and Nightwood

A & E
Schools
image description

Greylock School Geothermal Funding Raises Concerns

Schools
Community News
image description

Harvest Festivals and Craft Fairs 2024

Community News
Community News
image description

North Adams Library Trustees Leery of Tapping Cariddi Money for...

Community News
Community News
image description

Passenger Rail Advocates Rally for Northern Tier Proposal

Community News
Sports
image description

Pacheco Wins Individual Crown at State Meet

Sports
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?