NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The school building committee is expected to vote next week on which of the raft of school options the city should select.
Many believe that a new Greylock Elementary School is the obvious choice: The site is flat and needs minimal work, the children would not have to be relocated and it's the cheapest option.
The proposal would cost an estimated $27.7 million, with the city being responsible for $5.6 million. But it would only solve half the city's problem, which is to find an educational solution for 620 children in Grades K-7.
Robert M. Moulton Jr., former city councilor, said he thinks the city shouldn't just settle for one school for 310 students but go for the bigger and more expensive 620-student school at the same location.
The key, he said, was the Cariddi mill on State Road. If the city bought and tore down the mill, it would provide more than enough room for a larger school, better access from State Road and greater distance from the surrounding residential homes.
"It's a beautiful site, it would take of the traffic," he said, but added he had not asked if the mill was for sale yet.
Moulton said he's going to present the plan during his weekly talk show with Ronald Boucher, "Let's Talk About It," on NBCTV tonight at 8. The show is broadcast live on Channel 17 and allows call-ins.
The cost of the larger school is estimated at $47.2 million, with the city's costs at $10.7, some of which is for the relocation of students. Moulton said money that would go to moving the children — $1 million to $2 million — could be used instead to buy and tear down the mostly vacant mill.
That plan would still require a Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion vote, but Moulton believes that city residents would support getting the school issue over and done for the next 30 years.
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Residents prefer smaller neighborhood schools. A 620 school will require an override vote which he opposed the last time. There is concern about how close Conte is next to East Main Street. He wants to put a school on RT2 closer than Brayton. The cost of purchasing and tearing down the Carridi Mill will be $2-3 million not including removing any contamination in the groud. Why now? Where's he been during all the discussions?
Bob I think you are wrong . An override will not pass. With the mayor giving out double digit raises and paying more for jobs than needed I guess tha city has lots of money. And how about the health care law he and the council refuses to act on and oh yes the money from parking meters that thay also do not want to act on . You idea is an idea but no thanks .
Bob you are correct about one thing. Now is the time to buy the Coriddi building. Property in the area is selling cheep. A home in the same area just three block from a school is selling for $ 12500. So the Coriddis may want to dump the building before the property values drop anymore.
Hey Wrong, ok ok the horse is dead already; stop beating it! And Gene413 is there some rule that I'm not aware of that a bar has to be a certain distance from a school or that (to the others who voiced concerns) a certain distance from a main road? Aren't the kids in the school learning not out running in traffic and distracted by the bar next door?
Here's some options.
1. Take the old registry/KK Home mart and possibly Ernie's Auto by eminent domain, there may be other home in area also needing to be taken. Build the 620 K-7 school in that area that incooperates the football field and softball fields so that Drury HS games can be played there on a turf football field with lights. Send all children east of Brown Street (inlcuding Sullivan school kids, close that school) to the new State Street School.
2. Close and tear down Brayton due to the mold and poor air cirulation it has or make that your preschool, head start, and alternative school or your west end school.
3. Make Greylock your west end school with all children west of West Brown Street attending there, with maintiaing Brayton as a the head start, alternative, and pre K- School and NAPS administrative offices.
4.If not then tear down Greylock school and the mills and create building lots that would generate tax revenue for the city in a very desirable neighborhood. Just some thoughts.
A different idea Did you say Greylock is a desirable area ??? I agree but look at the last two home sales in the area. Both homes are within feet of the school. 1. $ 59,000 2. $ 12,500 ???? If this is the price of homes in a desirable area , what are they getting in areas that are not desirable ???? Property in the area is droping like the population. A school for 600 not needed.
Bob, Are you crazy, or working as a real estate agent for Cariddi, thats a big Toxic dumpsite, and would cost the taxpayers millions of dollars just to clean up, then again maybe your running for Mayor? your buddy did it maybe its your turn now.
I certainly don't see any of that area as desirable. I think its incredibly rude to suggest taking a persons livelihood by eminent domain (left over attitudes of the previous administration).
To purchase and remove the mill could be $3 million on it's own. The clean up of contamination is unknown. It's going to cost $1.2 million to clean dirt in Adams becuase there was arsenic in a small portion of rail road ties. The chemilcals buried under and around that mill is not a bill the city should take on. That should be handled by the current owner or state and federal environmental agencies. Removing the mill eliminates any taxes the city receives on it. Rob is way out there on this one. Rob should ask Ron about the developer he had lined up for Conte to purchase it.
Worst Idea out there, Laughable!. The city can barely afford a school now. Why on earth would it take on a money pit piece of property filled with toxic waste? Talk about liability! Get real. Build the 610 pupil school at the current site of the Greylock school and be down with it.
Wow Cheshire just saved over $ 300,000 by using the Governors Health Care Reform Law ??? When is the mayor going to do the right thing for the taxpayers of the city and do the same thing ??? Are they until they are forced to do it under the law ?? This only shows that the mayor and city council are catering to the unions only and not the taxpayers. Wake up people .
Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The home prior to renovations.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.
The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.
The house is listed for $359,500.
We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieriand Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.
Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.
What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?
Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.
Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.
Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.
Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.
Andrews: Built in about 1965.
What do the current owners love about this home?
Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.
Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
