NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Planning Board approved McCann Technical School's special permit request to build a new structure to house its incoming HVAC program.
With the approval, Superintendent James Brosnan told the Planning Board Monday that he hopes to be able to break ground in August.
"Everyone is busy, everyone is underfunded, everyone is understaffed, but I think we have a good project," he said. "I think we have done our homework, and the package we have going out is a good one. And the project isn't overwhelming."
The school received a $3.1 million state Skills Capital Grant to provide training HVAC. This will cover the construction of the building and the development of the program.
The school is in an R-4 zone. An engineer with Foresight said the school has already received approval from the Conservation Commission.
The separate building will mostly be built on an existing parking lot. The 5,600-square-foot building will be gray in color and have a green roof, matching the rest of the building.
Work has already begun on a parking expansion project to make up for the lost parking spots.
The Planning Board did ask if Brosnan considered attaching the new building to the school, but Brosnan said it was just not a feasible project.
"I don’t have the land for it," he said. "…We can add to the building but once we open up the envelope it becomes a whole different project. Thi just seems to be a better fit."
He said during shop week, students will mostly be in the new building.
He added that McCann has hired an instructor to run the program and has started an HVAC exploratory program. Brosnan said he hopes to have students in the new building this year.
Before closing the Planning Board approved new signage for Wallasauce located at 77 Main Street. Signage will remain red and gold as it has been for years on the former J. J. Newberry storefront.
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Clarksburg Holds Information Session CPA Warrant Article
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — An informational meeting on the Community Preservation Act will be held on Wednesday, May 1, at 6 p.m. at the Clarksburg Elementary School.
Voters at the annual town meeting on May 29 will be asked to approve adoption of the state law which will allow the town to collect a 3 percent surcharge on property taxes for use for affordable housing, open space and recreation, and historic preservation. A percentage of the funds collected by the town are matched by the state.
The Historical Commission requested the question be placed on the town meeting warrant. Passage at town meeting would put the CPA on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
The slide presentation by commissioners will cover what the act is and what adopting it would mean to residents and the community. This will be followed by Q&A.
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John Magnarelli served his country in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam from May 4, 1969, to April 10, 1970, as a sergeant. click for more
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