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."
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North Adams Unveils Hometown Heroes Banners
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Carol Ethier-Kipp holds up the first aid kit her father used as an Army medic in World War II. See more photos here.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams honored its own on Friday afternoon, unveiling 50 downtown street banners representing local veterans who served — and continue to serve — the community and the country.
More than 300 residents packed the front lawn of City Hall as the community took a moment to reflect on its "Hometown Heroes" during the morning unveiling ceremony.
"In a city like North Adams, service is personal. The men and women we honor today are not strangers to us. They are our neighbors, our classmates, our parents, our grandparents," Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the crowd. "... These banners are far more than names and pictures hanging along our streets. They are visible reminders of the values that define North Adams: courage, sacrifice, humility, duty, resilience, and the love of country. They remind every person who passes by that this community remembers our veterans."
The banner program launched exactly a year ago. Veterans Services Agent Kurtis Durocher opened applications in October and spent the next six months working with families to bring the project to Main Street and over the Hadley Overpass.
"We gather to recognize the brave men and women from our community who have served or who are currently serving in the United States armed forces," Durocher said. "These banners are more than images. They bear a tribute to service, sacrifice, courage, and pride, and they remind us that the freedoms we enjoy every day have been protected by our neighbors, family members, friends, and Hometown Heroes."
Each banner features a portrait of a veteran alongside their military branch and dates of service.
Durocher noted that the program was something residents clearly wanted, pointing to how fast applications flooded his desk. He praised the volunteers who stepped up to get the banners made and displayed — including city firefighters and Mitchell Meranti of Wire & Alarm Department,who were installing them as late as Thursday night.
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More than 300 residents packed the front lawn of City Hall as the community took a moment to reflect on its "Hometown Heroes" during the morning unveiling ceremony.
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