North Adams Council OKs ADA Borrowing, Cemetery Funds

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday night passed to a second reading a borrowing order for $250,000 to comply with federal disabilities law and $20,000 in transfers toward cemetery work.

Councilors had been presented with the list at the last meeting for the expected work required to come into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, as dictated by the city's agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mayor Richard Alcombright said the estimates were calculated by department heads, based on their experience. The bulk of the work will be done in-house, although some funding has been set aside for one temporary skilled laborer and one unskilled laborer as needed.

Councilor John Barrett III asked if there was a more delineated plan and time frame for the work to be completed and was unhappy with the mayor's response that the work will start when the borrowing is made and is expected to be complete within the year.

"I'm not against it but I'd like to see a more structured plan," he said. "I don't have a reason to bring it to committee but I think we need a definitive plan."

Alcombright said the bulk of the work was not a matter of putting out bids and hiring contractors. He asked that the council to do its role in authorizing borrowing, let the administration administrate, and allow city employees to do their jobs.

"There are probably things on here that we will not do but there are probably things that will cost more," said the mayor. "We don't intend to go over $250,000 and if we don't need to spend it, we won't."

Barrett replied that the council's job was to ask questions: "I'm being criticized for doing my job as a city councilor."

The lengthy and detailed list of work includes some larger items like ramps, walls and paths, but is largely made up of toilets, doorknobs, handrails, doors, signs and other small jobs spread across the city. City Administrative Officer Michael Canales said afterward that everything would be documented, including photographed, to give the Department of Justice a report by October, when he expected most of the list to be done.

The council voted unanimously to pass the borrowing to a second reading, and also approved the transfer of $20,000 from two cemetery funds: $10,000 from the Perpetual Care Account for a sign at Southview and to remediate asbestos at the building there and tear it down, and $10,000 from the Tinker Trust Fund to provide seed money for a fundraising campaign to begin restorations at Hillside Cemetery.

According to the trust agreement made in 1957, New York banker Edward R. Tinker set aside $100 and other assets for "financial assistance in the maintenance or operation of the cemetery known as Hillside Cemetery" as well as for St. John's Episcopal Church (now All Saints), which also was charged with caring for the Tinker mausoleum and immediate surroundings, and North Adams Regional Hospital.

The agreement lays out percentages for each institution, along with some other charities, based on the amounts derived from the trust.

Tinker died in 1959 but appears the city did not receive funds from the trust ($4,000 a year) until after the death of his wife, Marie, in 1978.

The historic cemetery, dating to 1798, is in need of cleanup and stone restoration. A number of monuments on the north side of the cemetery are tipped or fallen over. Resident Roger Eurbin is spearheading the effort.

In other business, council:

• Appointed Canales to the Hoosac Water Quality District to replace the late Dr. John Moresi.

Barrett and Councilor Alan Marden questioned appointing another member of the administration (Public Works Superintendent Timothy Lescarbeau was appointed last month) when at least one representative had historically been a member of the public.

• Alcombright said it was up to the council but he thought Canales' knowledge of the district was a good fit. Councilor David Bond agreed, noting the council would have a year to find a candidate.

"I believe Mr. Canales is an excellent choice," said Barrett but asked that the mayor ensure a layperson is on the board next.

• Approved the relocation and replacement of poles near the MCLA science center, including the relocation of three-phase power in front of the center that has been deemed a hazard.  

• Approved a secondhand license for Sanford & Kid on Houghton Street, the date of the primary for April 30 and clarified ballot for the Conte School renovation vote.

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