Lanesborough Eyeing Police Station Renovation

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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The Board of Selectmen is looking at a renovation of the police station.
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Selectmen are looking at a multiphase renovation of the police station.
 
Town meeting already has allocated about $25,000 to renovate the heating system. But, in his work through the town's energy committee, Selectman Robert Ericson says the building needs a lot more.
 
"The question we have to ask ourselves is if we want to keep this building or put a new building in its place?" Ericson said at Monday's meeting. "Is there a meaningful way to save it at a fairly low cost?... Or, we should start taking a section of it and rehabilitating it so we are doing a section a year."
 
The building was constructed in the 1800s so it has historic value as well, Ericson said. But the negatives of that is that it is poorly insulated, has antiquated infrastructure and is not energy efficient.
 
Ericson filed a report citing numerous complaints in the 1,544-square-foot building. He cites not only infrastructure problems but also handicapped accessibility, space needs, additions to create more efficiency, an electrical system that had been modified nearly a dozen times and sanitary and safety risks.
 
"Basically, the place is in pretty sad shape," he said.
 
The building has to be completely gutted and renovated or torn down and built new. In renovation, the building could be done one section per year over a four-year period, he said. That wouldn't displace the officers during construction.
 
Town Administrator Paul Sieloff said he's concerned with the cost. He estimated it would be more than $100,000 to completely renovate the building. Sieloff said the goal was to get the big-ticket items — the heating system because currently there is no hot water — and some roof work fixed with this year's allocation.
 
"We thought we could do the whole job or at least a really good effort for $25,000," Sieloff said, but Ericson's report shows drastically more needs.
 
With winter approaching, the town is hoping to fix us the heating system with the already allocated funds. Ericson is hoping the town will install a propane furnace instead of an oil-burner.
 
"Certainly, a big no-brainer is a conversion of the oil heater to gas. You already are going to gain 22 percent efficiency," he said.
 
Selectman Henry "Hank" Sayers wants estimates for both oil and a propane conversion before moving forward. He asked for quotes in the next few weeks and for the police not to refill the oil tank just yet.
 
"I think we should do both, oil and propane and price out the entire job," he said.
 
Sieloff added, "I don't want to put $25,000 of town funds into something the town isn't committed to keeping."
 
The town accepted a $19,000 bid from Miller's petroleum for new gas pumps at the station. The gas pumps are for all town vehicles but the current ones are out of date. The new ones will also include a computerized counting system to keep track of usage — resulting in a significant reduction in paperwork.
 
Sieloff added that McCann Technical School is willing to build a structure to cover the pumps to protect them from the weather.

Tags: historical building,   police station,   renovation,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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