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Planner Donald Keagan, center, asks a question at Monday's meeting.

North Adams Planners Postpone Decision on Dental Practice

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Planners weren't pleased with Dr. Gene Messenger's plans for an interior lighted sign.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Planning Board on Monday continued a hearing on a local dentist's plans to relocate to the former Jae's Inn because of unresolved zoning issues and questions over lighted signage.

Dr. Gene Messenger purchased the inn on Curran Highway in March for $700,000. Messenger's attorney, James J. Sisto, said the doctor's plans were not significantly different than the prior use: an inn, restaurant and spa. Messenger will have a residence, practice and small beauty salon in the building.

The residence will be located in the former inn section on the second floor and will include space on the first floor. The former dining area on the first floor and lobby on the first floor will be used for the practice — nine stations including three for hygienists. Messenger will have a lab in the basement, which also contains the single-chair salon that was used for the spa.

The business will operate 8 to 5 Monday through Wednesday, 8 to 8 on Thursday and 8 to noon on Friday and Saturday.

However, the property lies in two different zoning areas, I-1 and RU-1. Either of the uses, residential or professional office, are permittable depending on the zone — but not both together.

Sisto said variances would be sought at next week's Zoning Board of Appeals but Messenger had hoped to get approval conditional on that outcome to move more quickly.

"It's not a matter of wanting, it's a matter of what this board has done ... we've had other businesses come before us with zoning issues — we have not been able to vote," said Chairman Michael Leary. "I don't have a problem with use. I don't feel like this board should be voting on something that has a zoning issue attached to it."


Planner Joseph Gniadek questions the sign's suitability.
Planners also raised concerns over signage when Sisto presented plans for an interior lighted aluminum sign, the type that hasn't passed board muster in years.

Planner Joseph Gniadek wondered if the lighted sign along the lonely stretch of road could cause a distraction; Leary asked why any sign would need to be lit after hours.

Messenger, who was in attendance, queried the board on other signs that were lighted, including the nearby Pedrin's. "All I want to do is exactly what Pedrin's is doing." Leary and Gniadek said many of those signs were grandfathered decades ago or not under the board's jurisdiction — which started a back and forth over signage that Leary shut down.


"Signage is a touchy issue," said Sisto.

In other business:

► An application by Cynthia E. Cottrell to operate a restaurant at 315 Ashland St. was withdrawn.

► A request by Xtra Mart at 232 Ashland St. to install an exterior DVD rental kiosk was postponed. Building Inspector William Meranti said he was checking into whether handicapped access would apply to the kiosk; in the proposed location it would not be accessible. No one from Xtra Mart attended the meeting.


Big Shirl's is putting in outdoor seating see the tiny umbrellas?
► A request from Renee and Mark Lapier to add four or five outdoor tables and umbrellas to Big Shirl's Kitchen was approved along with a change of signage that would indicate the restaurant was open for lunch and dinner and add its phone number. Renee Lapier said the goal was to clarify it is a restaurant; many people had told her they thought it was a kitchen cabinet store.

► A request for new signage for Village Pizza was approved for both Eagle and Center streets, the front windows and sidewalk sandwich board.

► The board also gave its approval for Pedrin's to outdoor entertainment, pending any permits required by the Licensing Board. Jeff Brassard, representing Pedrin's, said the focus would be on family-oriented events, such as magic shows and concerts by local schoolchildren. No new structures would be required.

► A request to construct a 40-foot long fence to delineate the property line between Pitcher's Mound and Xtra Mart by tavern co-owner Fred Spooner was continued to the next meeting. Spooner said parking, especially trucks unloading at the convenience store, was affecting his customers and creating a safety hazard.

► The board will make a site visit to the property. Planner Paul Senecal, speaking as an abuttor, raised concerns over access to property he owns behind Xtra Mart. Senecal will recuse himself from debating or voting on the issue.
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MassWildlife: Brake for Turtles

By MassWildlife

Across Massachusetts, spring is the season of movement. Hibernating animals emerge from their winter resting areas in search of food and mates. Turtles are no exception. From mid-May to early July, thousands of turtles throughout Massachusetts travel to new areas to find food and nest. You may see turtles on roadways, in your backyard, or other unexpected locations as they move across the landscape to find resources they need to survive. Even if it’s not apparent to you where they’re headed, turtles have a keen sense of direction and may be on their way to wetlands or open, upland sites such as lawns, gravel pits, or roadsides for nesting. If you find a turtle, do not move it far away.

Protecting adult turtles during this vulnerable time can make a big difference. “Adult turtles can live past 80 years. Young turtles and eggs, on the other hand, have a variety of predators and a low chance of reaching adulthood,” says Dr. Mike Jones, MassWildlife State Herpetologist. "This is why it's especially important to protect older adult turtles from cars, especially during this time of year when turtles are crossing roads more frequently." Losing any adult turtles, particularly adult females, is a serious problem that can lead to the eventual local extinction of a population.

What to do if you see a turtle in or near a road:

  • Be safe. Do not risk getting hurt or causing harm to others by unsafely pulling off the road or trying to dodge traffic. If the opportunity to safely move a turtle from the road occurs, move it in the direction it was heading and off the edge of the road. The turtle is trying to get to habitats and resources it needs and knows. Do not take turtles home or move them to a "better” location; turtles should not be moved more than 100 yards from where they are found.
  • Handle with care. Most turtles should be grasped gently along the shell edge near the mid-point of the body. However, snapping turtles are fast and have very powerful jaws that can inflict a bad bite. A snapping turtle can reach your hands if you lift it by the sides of its shell. If you must move a snapping turtle, use a broom to coax it into a plastic tub or box. Never lift a snapping turtle only by the tail; this can injure their spine.
  • Slow down, be observant. Watch for turtles on roadways bordered by wetlands on both sides. These areas are commonly used as crossing points. If you see one turtle crossing, there's a chance that others will be crossing soon as well.
  • Report busy crossing locations. Let MassWildlife know if you see multiple turtles crossing the road or if you see multiple turtles that have been hit by cars. Email location information to natural.heritage@mass.gov. You can also contact your town Conservation Commission or local conservation groups and support measures to help turtles. Signage, barrier fencing, or seasonal speed bumps can help reduce roadkill.

Spread the word and help protect our native turtles. In addition to five species of sea turtles that frequent our coastal areas, Massachusetts is home to ten native species of terrestrial and aquatic turtles. Six of the 10 species are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Learn more in our native turtles.

Injured turtles
Please leave turtles with minor injuries, such as a hurt foot or damage to the outer rim of a shell, exactly where you find them. They are resilient, and they will most likely heal on their own. For major injuries, such as a large open wound, please contact a wildlife rehabilitator who specializes in treating turtles

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