ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health says it can take no action on the former Curtis paper mill property until the town takes control of it.
Chairman Peter Hoyt told the board Wednesday that after talking with then Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco, he has the understanding that the board's hands are tied when it comes to the 115 Howland Ave. property.
"We wanted to make sure that we were all on the same page but until the town really takes over the property, which we are in the process of doing, we can't do a whole lot," Hoyt said. "There is no response from the property owner so, therefore, we can't enter the premise."
The town began the process of taking the property last year from MJD Real Estate, which owes more than $450,000 in property taxes.
Since then, residents have reported activity on the site even though MJD's permits were pulled. Activity included tractor trailers moving on and off the property, some kind of automotive repair operation and the storage of roll-offs.
The roll-offs caught the attention of the Board of Health because they were filled with potentially hazardous material.
"That is a building you don't want to walk around in," Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Romaniak said.
In other business, board member David Rhoads said the newly implemented transfer station seems to be a success and more than 450 permits have been sold.
Board member Bruce Shepley said the original goal was to sell 200 permits.
"There is a lot of positive feedback from those who are using it and there are still negative comments, but I think they are blending in," he said. "I think a year from now it will be accepted, and we will be able to possibly expand services."
The board did pass a policy stating that it would not accept propane tanks at the station but would refer patrons to other possible vendors if the situation arises.
"There are plenty of resources to get rid of propane tanks in Berkshire County and I think we can make this a permanent policy," Shepley said. "Maybe if the issue comes up we can address it again."
The board also put the kibosh on brush removal and brush burning by the Department of Public Works at the transfer station until it can figure out a better and fairer way to remove it.
"We need to sit down as a committee and look at alternatives to limit the amount of brush that comes in because we think there is a lot coming in from landscapers," Shepley said. "It is not a showstopper, but we have to figure something else out."
Before closing the meeting, the board agreed to seek more information on training from a company called 24Trauma that trains organizations in how to enter a potential biohazardous situation or a crime scene.
"They will show us how to safely enter a premise and not damage a crime scene or come in contact with the biohazardous material," Hoyt said.
Hoyt said Police Chief Richard Tarsa floated the idea and said the town may be able to host the training.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Suspect in High-Speed Adams Chase Arrested
ADAMS, Mass. — A suspect test-driving a pickup truck who led police on a wild high-speed chase on Tuesday was arrested in Adams early Wednesday morning.
The incident began at about 11:41 a.m. on Tuesday when an officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Howland Avenue. During the stop, the operator was positively identified and was determined to have a suspended license. When ordered out of the vehicle, he fled, said police, leading law enforcement on a multijurisdictional pursuit toward the town of Florida.
A number of people posted about seeing the black pickup truck enter the Walmart parking lot; a video shows the driver surrounded by cruisers as they try to exit the parking lot at the light. Witnesses say the pickup backed into cruiser to get around the block.
The driver headed up West Shaft Road and toward Florida with Adams and North Adams Police in pursuit. The pursuit was called off at the city line.
The suspect was able to elude police but his vehicle was found abandoned in a remote location in the Savoy State Forest. It was later learned this vehicle was being test driven from a local auto dealer. With the assistance of the State Police Airwing, K9 Unit and drone unit, officers canvased the wilderness for the suspect but were unsuccessful.
Officers received information at about 3:14 a.m. on Wednesday that the suspect was in the area of Glen Street. Police say he fled on foot as officers secured a perimeter.
K9 Adam and his handler Sgt. Curtis Crane began an area search. K9 Adam was able to locate the suspect hiding in a back yard, but the suspect again ran — straight into officers on the perimeter who took him into custody.
The suspect faces a litany of charges pending from the previous day's encounter as well as the early morning contact with officers. Additional charges are pending as well from North Adams Police Department and their involvement in the apprehension.
Michael Wynn, who was selected in January to run the center, submitted a level operating budget of $57,500 but said he could pull funding from different lines to ensure there was money for advertising this fall.
click for more
The Selectmen on Wednesday night voted to award the bid to Mackin Construction Co. Inc. of Greenfield, which plans to invest $11 million to build out 20 or more one- and two-bedroom apartments in the three-story classroom wing that parallels Columbia Street.
click for more
The Selectmen two weeks ago had requested the utility appear before the board after receiving numerous complaints over flickering lights, including in Town Hall.
click for more
Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more