image description — **Wayne Wilkinson, left, rejoins the Planning Board with Donald Keagan, Paul Senecal and Joseph Gniadek.**

North Adams Tavern Gets OK to Move

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
10:41PM / Monday, December 14, 2009Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Planning Board on Monday approved the Crystal Hard Hat's move into the former Quinn's Paint and Wallpaper building at the corner of Union and Canal streets.

The special permit application by owner Todd Hebert had been continued from last month's meeting to give planners time to make a site visit and have relocation referred to the Traffic Commission over parking concerns.

Hebert said his wife, Nancy, is buying the vacant building and will lease the front section of the ground floor to the tavern. The couple plan to side the building, remove the deteriorating back decks and create a fenced in area with a picnic table on one side of the building for smokers so they aren't in the public way.

"We're not hard to work with," said Hebert. "We're willing to work with you to make it a nice building. It's ours, we want it to be a nice-looking building."

The business is currently located just north of the Canal Street intersection in a structure owned by Rusty Ransford.

Board Chairman Michael Leary said his concerns over parking along Canal Street increased after using one of the lined parking spots. "I would like to see a recommendation that the Traffic Commission review parking along that whole street."

City Administrative Officer Jay Green said the Traffic Commission had not been able to meet for lack of a quorum. He added that the city wanted Hebert to consider a landscaping plan and recommended a time limit on exterior improvements because the business lies withing one of the city's main entrance corridors.

Hebert said the plan was to side the building when weather permitted but the deteriorating porches may be a more immediate issue.

Planners Paul Hopkins, left, Chairman Michael Leary, Kyle Hanlon and David Babcock.

"I can't do them now. We only have so much money to work with right now," said Hebert, adding the interior renovations had to be completed. "We're going to clean it outside and make it look as good as we can."

The board approved the permit with the condition that Hebert complete siding of the structure by Dec. 10, 2010, and work with the Office of Community Development on signage with the board having final review. The parking issue was referred back to the Traffic Commission.

The board also approved the North Adams Artists Cooperative Gallery at 33 Main St., which has been operating in the former Roberts Co. building since DownStreet Art program began in late spring.

The 32 artists in the cooperative were so pleased with the location and foot traffic that they decided to try keeping the gallery open year-round. The special permit application was filed by co-op members Colleen A. Williams and Nestor Valdes.

The approval came with the condition that the gallery's wooden sign be kept in good condition or a more permanent sign be considered.

BVS 5401 Investors LLC's application for a special permit to construct a shopping center (Walmart) in a I-1 Zone was postponed to the January meeting. Representatives had not been able to meet with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, MassHighway or the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority in time for Monday's hearing.

In othe business, the board:

■ Continued an appliation for Core States Group at 148 Eagle St.

■ Continued an application for Edward J. Tripodes Sr. and Candy L. Tripodes to operate a video rental and custom printing sales at 16 Eagle St. The space was most recently Widgetz.

Green said the "propsoal on the weak side compared to proposals that come to us. It's hard to tell if it fits into the character of the neighborhood." He did not explain what he meant by character.

Leary advised Tripodes to work with the Office of Community Development. "I believe this application needs to be a little more filled out."

■ Approved Taylor's Restaurant application to stay open later than normal hours for a New Year's Eve event and a banner advertising the evening.

■ Approved a change in signage for Xtra Mart at 232 Ashland St. from Citgo to new fuel supplier Sunoco.

■ Recommended to the City Council the realignment on paper of South State Street. Green said "a team of lawyers" has found the line of the road and the public right of way on paper don't match up. With the planned shopping plazas along the former county-owned road, this "will streamline any process for develoopment down the road."

■ Welcomed Wayne A. Wilkinson back to the board. Wilkinson, a former planner, replaced William Schrade Jr., who resigned several months ago.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Greylock Youth SummerFest

Come join in on the wealth building fun! August 3-8. Click for event details. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

i'm confused as to why the planning board would "continue" applications for businesses that want to open in empty retail spaces downtown. are there more detailed minutes available? isn't it most important that those spaces get rented, or was there something especially sketchy about the applicant? and what happens if the planning board doesn't approve an application for a store--don't they have to appear at the board with a lease in hand?
from: jfox	on: 12-15-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you planning board for saving us from potentially bad signs and ugly landscaping. It is so reassuring to see great business leaders like yourselves show your expertise in such matters. And your brilliance about the "character" of neighborhoods... you make me swoon. Although I have to take issue with your granting of a special permit to Taylor's for New Year's Eve. I think you should have made them grovel or at least roll around on broken glass if they are going to impose the drinking of the Devil's Libation at midnight on our lovely, innocent and peaceful community. Oh dear! Just the thought of it makes me clutch my pearls!
from: Concerned Citizen	on: 12-15-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Does anyone remember Lou's Hot Dog Heaven on River Street? THAT is why you have to have someone try to impose some kind of standard, review signs, stuff like that.
from: hot dog!	on: 12-15-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (1)

If you actually were to attend a Planning Board meeting, instead of sitting on your computer-chair throne and tossing mindless comments out, you might see that there are a number of reasons for a continuance of a hearing. Some businesses, like Wal-Mart and the gas station, asked for the continuance so they would have additional time to submit their formal plan. Some others come before the board with vague applications and do not supply adequate information. And no, the board does not demand that an applicant present a lease for a property. Sometimes, if a building or property is in disrepair, the owner of the property is asked to address how he or she will repair the building, or whether the tenant will be responsible for that. You both seem to think that a Planning Board is an oddity for a city or town. Pittsfield, Williamstown, Lenox, Stockbridge, Lee, Great Barrington all have planning boards. Want to wait for a permit? Try opening a business in Williamstown or Pittsfield. The North Adams board approves 90% of all applications during the applicants' first hearing. It also amazes me how many of the same people who have accused the board of being too strict or of it overstepping its bounds are the same ones who are now clamoring for the board to make Wal-Mart jump through a dozen hoops before approval, or to deny them outright. What hypocrites.
from: not confused at all	on: 12-15-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

I have actually been to a planning board meeting, but don't personally recall the details of what's required to open businesses. As for the lease, I've heard the opposite from people who have gotten permits to open storefront businesses, and also from someone who leases spaces. It could be that these people were mistaken about the requirements, which may not be as clear to everyone as it might be to you. Perhaps it would help if the planning board posted clear guidelines on the city's website--of course, perhaps it's available in City Hall? I don't know who you are, but maybe you understand it better because you're on the board, or simply go to more meetings--that doesn't mean that everyone else has your base of knowledge, and I think mine were reasonable questions that most average North Adams residents might not know the answers to. I'm really just curious, as an interested citizen. I'll go down to City Hall and ask about it when I get a chance. As for the particular towns you mention, I"m not familiar with their specific processes, but I do know that in larger cities, the planning board doesn't approve individual businesses and signage, but usually just have regulations about allowable uses and sidewalk obstructions which the businesses are obligated to inform themselves of and comply with.
from: jfox	on: 12-15-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

In regards to Lou's. what I remember is that the city refused to let Matney hang his sign so he put it in the back of his truck and parked it in front of the store. It strikes me that the rules caused a bigger problem than the solution. Also, I remember Chris Tremblay's sign at the Windsor Mill that was approved, but he hung it vertically instead of horizontally (or vice versa?) and the city started levying fines daily. I remember the story of the Planning Board telling Shima that they didn't like the shade of green on their sign. Our planning board process imposes imagined "community standards" that hinder the marketing efforts of businesses. They are so worried about keeping what THEY considered disreputable people and businesses from opening that they do far more damage than good. Who the heck are THEY? Instead of playing Caesar - thumbs up or thumbs down - they should become a resource to actually HELP businesses succeed in this city. Either that, or the board should be disbanded. Maybe someday we can pretend we are Lenox or Williamstown by being snooty about which businesses we allow, but not now.
from: Dog Eater	on: 12-15-2009 12:00AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

What kind of video rentals is Tripodese trying to do, and what does custom printing sales mean? Editor: regular movie rental/sales and printing things like bumper stickers, T-shirts, vinyl signs, etc.
from: sparrow	on: 12-16-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Don't try to tell me there isn't something odd about Tripodes and his proposed business. When was the last time a locally owned video/DVD rental business existed anywhere? Adams Video? The Blockbusters and Movie Galleries and Netflix of the world have put those businesses out to pasture for good. This guy doesn't have the financial backing to compete with real video stores, he can't buy the number of first run releases and other stock. It's just not realistic. Why do I suspect this is just a front for something else?
from: something fishy	on: 12-16-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

In regards to Taylor's Restaurant... it is tough for decent restaurants stay successful in this area (for example the recent news of Jae's Inn closing). More local support would be helpful. Jane Do-Good
from:	on: 12-16-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Quote; In regards to Taylor's Restaurant... it is tough for decent restaurants stay successful in this area (for example the recent news of Jae's Inn closing). More local support would be helpful. Jane Do-Good Editor: Since about half of all restaurants fail in their first three years, I'd say Jae's did pretty well. The past year hasn't been good for any business. Its tough for any business in the city today to keep their act together. But that's certainly not the plannings board fault. They have rules they have to follow, its part of the system otherwise we'd have huge signs hanging down blocking views for motorist and buildings in disrepair that could cause injury.
from: PhilC	on: 12-22-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

North Adams Becomes a Purple Heart Community

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
05:16AM / Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Veterans Service Officer Kurtis Durocher, a Purple Heart recipient, tells his own story of how he was wounded in Iraq.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City leaders last week held a ceremony marking the city as a Purple Heart Community to honor local military service members wounded or killed in combat.

"This designation is much more than a sign that will stand at the entrances to our city," said Kurtis Durocher, Northern Berkshire veterans service officer at City Hall on Friday. "It is a lasting commitment and a promise to this community. We'll never forget the sacrifices made by those who are wounded or killed while serving our nation. It is a public declaration of the courage and sacrifices of combat wounded. Veterans will always have a place of honor here in North Adams."

As a Purple Heart Community, North Adams will place signs throughout the city acknowledging the designation. The city will also hold a ceremony every Aug. 7 on National Purple Heart Day.

During the inaugural ceremony, Durocher said he was asked by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to find a keynote speaker for the event, preferably a Purple Heart recipient. But he was unable to find someone willing to speak. With the date approaching, he decided to tell his own story.

"I don't like standing up and telling my own personal story ... But I realized, in my position as a VSO, I get so many ... children of veterans who will say, 'I didn't know anything about my father until after he passed because he just didn't talk about it,'" Durocher said. "... I have been that way until I've gotten into this position, and so, now, I try to tell my story as much as I can when it is brought to me."

Durocher served in the Army for 20 years and retired as a master sergeant. On Friday, he recalled a time early in his career while serving in the 82nd Airborne Division deploying to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Sept. 12, 2003, his squad was conducting a patrol on Route Irish in Baghdad. He was serving as a gunner on an LMTV when it was struck by a 155-millimeter artillery shell. He said the explosive had been hidden behind a guardrail and detonated using nothing more than a washing machine timer.

"In an instant, everything changed. The blast knocked me unconscious. When I regained consciousness, I instinctively was removing my helmet," he said. "Almost immediately my training took over. We had been taught repeatedly that attacks like this were often followed by a secondary attack or an ambush. I quickly put my helmet back on and began searching for my machine gun."

View Full Story