Motorcycle Club Faces Further Delays In North Adams
 Mike Bailey, left, and Arthur Thibert returned to the Planning Board after a 60-day delay, but faced another hurdle in their attempt to open a private club for their motorcycle club, the Reservoir Dogs. |
The motorcycle club members last appeared in September and received both support and concerns. The Planning Board chose to delay the hearing at that point for another 60 days of review.
The club is proposing to open a private hall at the Homestead Bar, but the future ownership of the building is now in doubt.
Chairman Michael Leary said, according to City Solicitor John DeRosa, the property is under contract for sale.
"It could be the current owner, it could be a new owner," Leary said. "Indications are it might be a new owner. He recommended the board take no action [until] that issue has been resolved."
Arthur "A.J." Thibert and Mike Bailey of the Reservoir Dogs denied that the River Street property is under contract. Bailey said he talked to the owner on Sunday and that he still had no signed contract or deposit.
Bailey also expressed his dissatisfaction of the process so far.
"We did everything you asked us to, with your applications, jumping through hoops, we did everything that you guys asked, played by your rules," Bailey said. "We came up here in good faith and you gave us a 60-day delay, which was uncalled for."
Bailey said they also addressed parking concerns brought up by Building Inspector William Meranti at the September meeting but were instead attacked by the board as criminals — a statement that Leary denied immediately.
Board member Joanne DeRose asked if it would be possible to find out if the motorcycle noise exceed the 80 decibels allowed according to the ordinance prior to the Dec. 2 meeting. Bailey said that would be difficult because all motorcycles are different and, in addition, all motorcycles are required by law to pass an inspection already.
However, according to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website, the legal limit for post-1986 bikes is 99 decibels.
Bailey also said the former bar used to attract motorcycles daily. In September, he said the club would typically only be open on Friday and Saturday.
Leary said if the building is not sold, the members can return to the board next month, which Bailey said will be the case.
In other news, two businesses are shifting locations — Label Shopper and River Street Package.
• Kevin Reardon, of TJ Sign Solutions based in Binghamton, N.Y., presented his plan to the Redevelopment Authority, which met immediately prior to the Planning Board, to move the signage from Label Shopper's current location in the L-shaped a couple doors down to the former Sleepy's mattress store on the Main Street side of the mall.
The Redevelopment Authority quickly approved of the move that features no new signage.
• The Planning Board approved of the relocation of River Street Package from its current spot to the former Lopardo's Package Store, which closed in January 2012.
Real estate agent Michael Hernandez said the floor space is very similar and everything will remain the same. The hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The store will remain at its current location until around Dec. 16 and then will reopen at its new location in early January.
• The application from Melanie Desmarais and Ray Kushi to open a Papa John's Pizza in the Stop & Shop plaza on State Road was also approved. Desmarais said the store will only provide take-out and delivery.
• David Moresi's request for a window design approval at the incoming sports complex at the Blackinton Mill was approved.
• Mark Lavariere's request to place a storage unit in the rear of Mark's Auto Repair was also approved by the Planning Board.
• Lynette Ritland Bond replaced longtime Planning Board member Joseph Gniadek.
The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 2 in order to comply with the 90-day review window for the Reservoir Dogs — the usual Dec. 9 date fell on day 91.
Tags: motorcycle club, Planning Board, redevelopment authority, relocation,
