North Adams Approves Solar Array Lease

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The City Council has approved the lease of the city’s former landfill for a solar array.

The council unanimously approved the lease agreement with Borrego Solar Systems Inc. on Tuesday. Mayor Richard Alcombright said the approval is the final step in the process.

"Everything has been permitted, everything has been negotiated, and Borrego is out for financing at this time," Alcombright said. "This is the very last leg of this long journey, and we hope to see this go under construction soon."

The city is leasing the land to Borrego for $12,000 per year over 20 years and will be responsible for the photovoltaic array. The city hopes to see upward of about $200,000 in energy savings with the system.

Councilor Joshua Moran said although he is concerned with the cost effectiveness of solar, he sees the project as a “win-win."

“It gives us a great opportunity to see what a project of this scale could do for the city and really utilize land that was nothing,” Moran said. “So even if we save $2 the first year, it’s a great use.”

Alcombright said it has been a goal of his to establish a “green footprint” in the city.

“We want to send a message as a community that we want to be as green as possible,” he said. “The state loves this and developers love this - to reuse landfills because there isn’t much else you can do with it besides mow it.”

The mayor said he believes this installment will be one of the largest solar arrays in the state.

Councilor Wayne Wilkinson said he had some concerns with the lease, but felt overall the project would benefit the city.

“I think the bottom line is it is in the best interest of the city of North Adams,” Wilkinson said. “We can all get into a quagmire with all the small things, but over all I think it is a very good thing.”

Councilor Keith Bona asked the mayor if it was possible to install a solar array on the city’s old water treatment plant.

Alcombright said that area is more complicated because a large sewer line and water main are buried underneath. He did say that the city is looking at the possibilities of installing solar panels at the airport and Reservoir Road, as well as looking at buying power from other developments throughout the state.

Also on Tuesday, the mayor addressed concerns with the Hadley Overpass, saying he created a list of frequently asked questions that he sent to Massachusetts Department of Transportation. He said the answers are available in the clerk’s office and will soon be online.

Councilor Eric Buddington said he has concerns with the decorative pylon near Furnace Street on the overpass. He said it obstructs the view and makes left turns dangerous.

The mayor said he was unfamiliar with the issue, but that he would look into it. He added that when Heritage State Park enters redevelopment, that intersection may need a light.

“That is going to be a hairy place to pull out of, and if we are talking about a park that is going to bring more traffic through that intersection, then we need to make it as safe as we can,” he said.

Wilkinson said because of the long traffic light waits on American Legion Drive, he is concerned that when the underneath of the bridge opens up for traffic, people will speed through to bypass the lights.

Alcombright said the state mandates determine how long it takes the lights to change and that particular light works in tandem with the Main and Marshal Street intersection. Alcombright called that intersection the busiest in Northern Berkshire.

“It typically flows well during the day, but there will be times when it does not flow well,” he said. “The bottom line is we are not used to waiting for three lights in this community. … I’ve been irritated when I get the light at Mass MoCA when I come into work, and I have a two and a half minute ride.”

He said he is in discussion with MassDOT about making the American Legion Drive light change depending on car movement during peak hours of the day.

For the project overall, Alcombright reported that he expects a response about the Heritage State Park lease in 60 days.

The mayor also mentioned a pending lawsuit with Tala’s Quilt Shop that was once open at the park. Because of mold, the store had to close. The mayor said the city remediated the issues, but the business never moved back in.

Also on Tuesday, the city council moved a “Right to Farm” amendment to the city ordinances to the city solicitor for review.  

DiLego Jewelry to Close After Nearly 100 Years in Business

By Daniel MatziBerkshires correspondent
05:28AM / Tuesday, May 07, 2024

Sisters Pamela Costine, left, and Cynthia Lamore have been operating the store since their aunts retired in 1987. Both started working in the business as teens.  Lamore's decided it's time to retire. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — DiLego Jewelery Store, the family-owned business that has been a staple of North Adams for nearly a century, will be closing this summer. 

 

The closure was announced on the store's Facebook page late Sunday night, where it immediately drew comments of remembrance and well-wishing.

 

Cindy Lamore, whose great uncle Frank DiLego opened the store on Main Street in the late 1930s, said the shop will cease operations following her retirement, slated for June 30. A 20 percent off Mother's Day sale will begin immediately, with increasing discounts leading up to the closing date.

 

It took Lamore "a couple of years" to reach the decision to close. Witnessing the passing of lifelong friends or their struggles with debilitating illness prompted her to reconsider her priorities, especially considering the extensive time devoted to running a small business. 

 

"You really question what you're waiting for," she reflected.

 

While recognizing that changing consumer habits have led to a decrease in jewelry and watch sales in recent years, Lamore stressed that her decision to close was a personal one. She and her business partner and sister, Pamela Costine, wanted "to do it on our terms," she said.

 

Comments on Facebook praised the store's customer service, and friends, family, and customers alike reminisced about buying jewelry for special occasions, stopping in for watch repairs, and the perennial rite of childhood for many: getting ears pierced.