Walmart: Stay Off the Gravel

The public was told in no uncertain terms to stay off the future Walmart property at Tuesday's Conservation Commission meeting.

The meeting concerned a stop-work order issued to Della Concrete and BVS 5401 Investors, the limited liability company Ceruzzi Holdings created to develop the site for Walmart, on Feb. 22 over closure activities at the former city gravel pit. The city's order was followed March 12 with a second one by the state Department of Environemental Protection.

Della apparently failed to use erosion controls stipulated by the commission and silt made its way into some intermittent streams on the edge of the property in violation of the Wetlands Protection Act. According to the North Adams Transcript, the commission approved a modification of the stop-work order to allow Della to comply with the DEP's demands but stopped short of removing the entire order.

Instead, new Chairman Jason Moran wants a site visit of the property and the area in particular before the next meeting. Jay Sabin, the local attorney for Walmart, said the public would only be allowed along on the visit with permission from the owner. Carol Scully of Adams, who tried to get the commission to discuss what she described as vernal pools was told to stay off the private property when she admitted having taken pictures there.

According to the Transcript, a fence is going to be installed around the site because of unstable areas; there's one up already near the jug handle to turn into Hodges Cross Road.

While one might consider a site visit with a quorum of city officials an open meeting, Mass. General Law doesn't agree.

'Meeting,' any corporal convening and deliberation of a governmental body for which a quorum is required in order to make a decision at which any public business or public policy matter over which the governmental body has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power is discussed or considered; but shall not include any on-site inspection of any project or program.

 Bummer. Where's my telephoto lens?

Round 2: Walmart Headed Back to Planning Board

Walmart representatives will be back before the North Adams Planning Board on Monday night with more detailed plans for the Super Center proposed for the city's old gravel yard.

Planners had requested more information on site elevation and a more Colonial looking exterior for the massive box store. The mega-retailer had been slated to appear before the board in February but asked for postponement because the plans couldn't be drawn up in time.

Monday's meeting is expected to draw a crowd similar in size to the standing-room only attendance at Walmart's first appearance with the board in January. The discount chain has mailed another flurry of postcards to area residents urging them to write letters of support to local newspapers and to attend this coming meeting.

NorthAdamsFirst.com, created by city residents concerned over the effects of such a large Walmart on existing business, traffic and the environment, are also urging residents to attend the meeting and ask questions to assure they're informed.

The site's developer, acting as BVS 5401, is requesting five permits related to the construction and operation of a major retailer.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the City Council chambers.

Walmart Hearing Postponed

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Walmart has asked to postpone the continuation of its public hearing on the construction of a Walmart Supercenter to the March 8 Planning Board meeting. The hearing had been on the board's agenda for Monday, Feb. 8.

The board asked at the January meeting for more detailed renderings of the site elevation plans, among other information. The architects have not been able to complete those colored renderings in time for Monday's meeting, according to the city's Office of Community Development.

The global retailer had mailed out postcards this past week to area residents who had signed a petition supporting the 160,000 square-foot project at Hodges Cross Road. Describing the development as a "relocation" of the existing Walmart, the postcard says, "We encourage you to attend [the Planning Board meeting] and voice your support for the project. ... Help support the North Adams Walmart and bring more jobs and tax revenue to your community."

The card also gives a phone number (1-866-458-1178) and e-mail address (northadams@walmartsupport.com) for questions.

Walmart backers appeared to be in the minority at the tightly packed January meeting, during which the company presented five permit applications relating to the construction of the store.

The proposed store would include a grocery and expanded garden center and electronics section. It would continue having a pharmacy but a widely reported tire and service center is not and has never been part of the plan.

A number of residents have questioned the super store's affect on the environment, traffic and local economy. They, too, had urged people to attend Monday's meeting. The proposal is also expected to go before the Conservation Commission on Feb. 11 at 5:30.

At least one person is planning to picket the international discounter on Feb. 27, according to a post on a completely unrelated iBerkshires story.

We are just trying to wake wal mart up. The American people want jobs. And American products. And products that are not toxic to us or our kids. So on Feb 27th from 9am to 9pm we are picketing wal mart..If wal mart don't wake up maybe target or k mart will.Maybe they will take over the slogan WE SELL AMERICAN PRODUCTS WHEN EVER POSSIBLE we need to rally up as much support as we can.We want to see people with signs at every wal mart in the USA on Feb 27th,,Thank you for your help from: mark    on: 02-05-2010

Sandra Thomas, an organizer with NorthAdamsFirst.com, the group questioning the wisdom of the project, said her group was not involved in any protest and did not know who the poster of the comment is.

Update: we think we know why "Mark" posted on the SEIU story. If you punch "Walmart picket" into Google, that old story comes up. Why? Only Google knows for sure.