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.