Cumberland Farms Propose New Store In Adams
ADAMS, Mass. — The selectmen gave their blessing to Cumberland Farms' plan to build a new gas station and convenience store on Commercial Street.
The board heard from Thomas Reidy representing Cumberland Farms Wednesday about the proposed development of a convenience store and gas station at 95 Commercial St. and the selectmen welcomed them into the community.
"I just wish you well and welcome to Adams," Selectman Joseph Nowak said. "It is certainly going to be an improvement to the gateway of our community and I just hope you work well with the neighbors."
Reidy said the facility would stand on three parcels of land all currently owned by Carol L. Ostrowski. Cumberland Farms plans to demolish Al’s Service Center that sits on the property as well as two other structures.
He said because the structure will be in a residential area, they are proposing a different design that they feel would better fit the neighborhood.
"If you have been down in North Adams there are two new ones - one the Curran Highway and one the Mohawk Trail," he said.
"I think what you see here embodies some of that but we try to be sensitive to the area, so it is not a one size fits all kind of thing."
Reidy said the project will greatly improve the appearance of the site and they will install new lighting and landscaping.
"Cumberland Farms is family owned and they take a lot of pride in their stores," he said. "They make a significant improvement to the properties they redevelop."
He added that there will be a buffer between the neighbors and the gas station and the developer will be working with the neighbors to make sure their concerns are heard.
Reidy said the town will receive at the very least three times the amount of taxes then they do now from the current business there.
Reidy said they do plan to close the current Cumberland Farms in town but will look to sell it or lease it. He said all those employed there will be offered a job at the new one.
He added that if needed they will remediate the property and will conduct a traffic study.
Cumberland Farms will be seeking a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals to operate 24 hours, create two curb cuts, and redevelop the properties.
Reidy said they will eventually have to come before the Board of Selectmen again for approval to install the gas tanks and once all is clear it will take about 120 days to build the facility.
Chairman John Duval closed by thanking Cumberland Farms and said the town needs more projects like it.
"The town of Adams needs growth, and this is something that we have been looking for," Duval said. "I think we are going in the right direction and I look forward to working with you."
In other business, the selectmen voted to suspend the Town Administrator Screening Committee because of the lack of qualified applicants.
"It’s time to go back to the drawing board," Nowak said.
Selectwoman Christine Hoyt, who works directly with the screening committee, said after rooting through the applicants, the committee will not be able to recommend the minimum of three finalists the selectmen asked for.
She added the board could use the time to access the process and possibly looking at hiring an outside consultant to help.
Duval said they have to reevaluate the salary to make the position more attractive.
"We have to get this right… and it is time to go back and really look at this process," he said. "We are not going to settle for second best."
In the meantime, Director of Community Development Donna Cesan will continue in her role as interim town administrator.
