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The signs will distinguish prices for members and non-members of Cumberland Farms' SmartPay program.
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The signage for BrewHaHa's next location at the West End Market was approved.

North Adams Planners Approve Gas Station Sign Changes

By John DurkaniBerkshires Staff
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The Planning Board approved of changes to signs for Cumberland Farms, BrewHaHa and Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance Agency on Monday evening.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The two Cumberland Farms will undergo sign changes to reflect its program that reduces gas prices 10 cents per gallon.
 
On Monday, the Planning Board approved of the changes to the LED signs that will alternate between the regular gas prices and the discounted gas prices for members of its SmartPay program.
 
Carolyn Parker, representing Cumberland Farms, said the signs will change in about eight seconds, or three cars passing, at the locations on Ashland and Union streets.
 
The signs' square footage won't change, but the LED portion will be extended to include "SmartPay member" or "non-member" above the price.
 
The Planning Board also approved Nicole McCorkindale's request for a change of use to operate a retail clothing store on 48 Eagle St.
 
"Everything is pretty much staying the same as the store we're in now at 28 Eagle St.," said Nicole McCorkindale, owner of Head Eaze.
 
In old business, Chairman Michael Leary said the Reservoir Dogs' application will come to a close because the sale of the 155-159 River St. property closed on Friday.
 
"The new owner does not have any interest in continuing the application," Leary said.
 
The motorcycle club first appeared in September in attempt to open a private club at the former Homestead Bar, but concerns about their affiliation with Hells Angels ended with a 60-day delay for review.
 
Then in December, the fate of the property's ownership further delayed the application.
 
The signage for BrewHaHa was approved. The cafe, currently located on Marshall Street, will move to the former West End Market. Owner Barry Garton had renovated the property beginning in 2006 and had planned to move several years ago but delayed the relocation because of costs. The property was at the end of its permitting for commercial use and the old neighborhood market was about to revert to residential zoning.
 
New signage for Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance Agency, located on Union Street, was also approved.
 
The hearing for Paul Laliberate and Fran Biros to operate an automotive fleet maintenance facility at 303 State St. will be continued at the next meeting. Leary said the application was incomplete and lacked a description and renderings.
 
Leary also thanked City Councilor Marie Harpin for serving as the liaison to the Planning Board. Harpin, after serving as a councilor for 16 years, will step down at the end of the month.

Tags: gas station,   motorcycle club,   Planning Board,   signage,   

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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
 
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
 
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
 
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 
 
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
 
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
 
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC. 
 
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