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An artist rendering of what the canopy could look like for Walmart's grocery pickup station.

Walmart Preparing Space for Online Grocery Pickup

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Super Walmart on Curran Highway has been approved for canopy for its grocery pickup service. 
 
The Planning Board in a brief meeting on Monday gave the OK to the 18-foot by 73-foot canopy for Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust and approved several other businesses.
 
The shade cloth canopy will be located in existing parking spots in front of the southern entrance of the building and a sign indicating pickup will be installed on the front facade below the Walmart sign.
 
A representative of Bohler Engineering said the structure will support the online grocery ordering. 
 
"They're proposing an online grocery pickup, which is an added feature that allows customers to place orders online and come to the store," he said. "Then associates will bring the goods out to the car so customers will not need to leave their vehicle."
 
The canopy will provide some protection from the elements for delivery and have six spaces under it. The store currently has 701 parking spots and to make up for the loss of four spots for the canopy, the store will paint in four more parking spots in an existing paved area.
 
According to the narrative supplied with the application, the pickup service will be limited to groceries and paper goods and customers will be able to alert the store they are waiting through a smartphone app. The proposed hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
 
Board also approved two applications for 537 Ashland St., both for existing businesses. Steven Milazzo is relocating his 24-year-old business 8 Ball Auto Repair and Richard Duteau his 37-year-old Duteau Collision Repair because the current building they are in at 525 Ashland was sold. 
 
Planners also gave the OK for a metal frabrication and graphic arts studio at 350 State Road for applicant Criterion Berkshire 1 LLC, with the condition signage be approved before installation; and for Rootz Hair Studio and Rootz Nail Studio at the Norad Mill for Amy Eichammer and Donna Whitcomb, with hours of 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday.  
 
In other business, the board approved a new signage package for Stanley Engineered Fastening, the former Tog Manufacturing, at 1454 South State St. Also approved was a request to change Empire Cutz 2 to Christopher Cuts Barbershop; Aaron Christopher purchased the business located at 102 River St. in May.
 
The board also unanimously recommended the zoning amendments reviewed at last week's joint public hearing to the City Council.

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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
 
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
 
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
 
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 
 
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
 
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
 
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC. 
 
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