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Plans for the reuse of Coury's auto salvage yard as a livery and transportation headquarters.

North Adams Planners Approve Livery Headquarters

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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The Planning Board's Monday meeting was briefer than usual, with only two items on the agenda.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An established livery company is moving into the former Coury's automobile salvage business on Curran Highway and bringing 35 jobs with it.
 
Coury's closed last fall after nearly 50 years of selling used car parts and automobile services. JP Parent Co. LLC plans to use 858 and 874 Curran Highway as its headquarters for storage and servicing its fleet.
 
Attorney James Sisto, representing JP Parent, said the company had outgrown its location in Adams and is now leasing the Curran Highway property. 
 
"They plan to move their entire business in, which includes about 30 vehicles and 35 employees to the North Adams location, which I think is a big boon for North Adams," he said. 
 
There are no proposals to change the structures or extend the buildings, or for signage, Sisto said. "It's not going to be open to the public, it's mainly going to be to operate their business. This is where they're going to have their headquarters for all their vehicles."
 
Planner Kyle Hanlon complimented the applicant on being thorough in filling out the application. "It answered all my questions before the meeting tonight," he said.
 
The livery, also doing business as E-Pod Transportation, was approved for a special permit with conditions including keeping any car parts, such as tires, under cover. 
 
An application by Woodstock South, a clothing store, to operate in the Norad Mill at 60 Roberts Drive was allowed to withdraw without prejudice at the request of the applicants, in hopes of coming back before the board in the spring.
 
In other business, Chairman Michael Leary appointed Hanlon and Planner Lynette Bond to the nominating committee for officers for the coming year. 
 
The Redevelopment Authority, meeting immediately prior to the Planning Board and consisting of Chairman Paul Hopkins and members Hanlon, Leary and David Bond, approved an application by Nina Kilroe to open a botanical shop in the Oasis Shopping Center located at 150 American Legion Drive.
 
Kilroe said she would be selling natural, plant-based herbs and supplements. 
 
"I know you can buy them at the drugstore, a lot of herbs and things, but there's nobody to teach you how to use them properly or safely, and that's something I can do," she said. "Every herb or tea will have information for people to take home and read or give to their primary-care physician so they can make informed decisions about the things they digest."

Tags: livery,   Planning Board,   

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North Adams Awarded Grant to Support First Responder Health, Wellness

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) to support the health and wellness of local first responders through advanced, preventative medical screenings.
 
The grant will allow the City to offer comprehensive cardiac-focused health screenings to all North Adams Police and Fire personnel. The program goes beyond a standard annual physical and is designed to provide early insight into cardiovascular health risks commonly faced by Public Safety professionals.
 
Screenings will include advanced lipid and biomarker testing, along with personalized health consultations, delivered in partnership with Sigma Tactical Wellness, a nationally recognized provider specializing in first responder wellness.
 
"We know that a troubling percentage of officers die within ten years of retirement," said Mark Bailey, Chief of Police. "My priority is ensuring that our officers are healthy during their careers and well beyond them. This grant allows us to focus on early detection and long-term wellness so our officers can look forward to — and fully enjoy — their retirement."
 
Chief Brent Lefebvre, Fire Chief, echoed the importance of the program.
 
"Firefighters face elevated cardiovascular risks throughout their careers. This grant gives our members the opportunity to better understand their health and take preventative steps — at no cost to them — which ultimately strengthens our Department and the community we serve."
 
Participation in the program is voluntary, and all health information collected will remain strictly confidential.
 
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