North Adams Planning Board OKs Methadone Clinic
 The former A&W on Curran Highway has been through a number of transformations; it's latest will be a methadone clinic. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A planned methadone clinic was given approval by the Planning Board on Monday night.
Spectrum Health Services, which runs 16 clinics in the state, is leasing a property at 1274 Curran Highway. The only condition on the special permit was the screening of its dumpster.
Kristin Nolan, Spectrum's director of outpatient services, told the board that there was a need for its services in North County.
"Spectrum is opening this facility, based on data we have from North Adams," she said. "We have data that shows that you have several dozen people that are traveling to a facility we have currently in Pittsfield."
The clinic, which also provides educational services and counseling, will have a dozen staff members and be open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m.
Nolan said the facility could extend its hours to later in the evening if there was a call for it. In response to a question, she said Spectrum uses a private security at its facilities.
There was some concern over transportation to the clinic and the possibility of people walking along the highway.
Michael Sarchi, an abuttor, said that was his main concern, particularly after a pedestrian accident near the Hodges Cross Road intersection last week. He suggested the clinic be put on hold until the state installs crosswalks.
"The only bus stop is Walmart," he said, noting the lack of crosswalks and sidewalks. "It's not good to have a client for for medication and have them killed in a traffic accident getting there."
Nolan said most clients have vehicles and that insurance covers transportation through private companies, including Tunnel City Taxi.
A couple audience members questioned other aspects of the facility but were reminded that the Planning Board has no purview over internal operations, only external factors such as parking, traffic, signage and landscaping.
Nolan said she did not know when the facility would open.
The board also approved the ground installation of a 100 kilowatt solar array.
The system is being placed at Airtite Holders in the Robert Hardman Industrial Park. Another 100kw of panels is being placed on the building's roof but does not fall under the board's oversight.
William Heffernan of U.S. Light Energy, based in Latham, N.Y., said the solar company would install and own the system.
Airtite has signed a power-purchase agreement and the energy produced by the system is expected to offset its energy costs. At the end of the contract, it can have the system removed, buy it or extend it.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a martial arts/wellness studio at 16 Eagle St. Operator Christopher Manley said the studio will be part of the Team Link franchise.
• Approved an application by Gil Rubenstein for GR Hospitality Holdings LLC to operate an Italian restaurant at 896 State Road, the site of several previous eateries. Pastaria NoCo (North County) will be open for dinner and for lunchtime during the summer.
Rubenstein said he would live in an apartment above the restaurant that may be rented at a later time.
Tags: methadone clinic, Planning Board, solar array,
