PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Licensing Board received an update on the renovation of the former Johnny's Beach Club, which is still on schedule.
During a brief Licensing Board meeting Tuesday the board reviewed a letter from attorney Jeffrey Lynch, representing the owners of Barcelona Tapas and Bar Inc., outlining some of the progress they have made on the 87 Wahconah St. property.
"He predicts operation would start sometime in March or April assuming all the work gets done and the certificate of occupancy is awarded," Chairman Thomas Campoli said.
The owners indicated this summer that instead of opening the former Johnny's Beach Club as a tapas bar, they planned to improve the site in hopes of selling it.
Last month, the owners also indicated they would like to hold onto their license and if they are unable to sell the business they will open when renovations are complete.
This worried the Licensing Board, which was wary of the delayed project that has been ongoing since 2017. They asked for firmer dates and regular updates.
Campoli said Lynch wrote in his letter that exterior and interior work has been done and they are on schedule for completion this spring. He also included architectural plans for the board to consider.
He said Lynch will provide another update in December.
"Then we can really interrogate him about what they have in mind for that place," he said. "It has been out of operation for a long period of time."
Board member Denis Powell said he was impressed with the "ambitious" project.
"I will say it is quite an aggressive plan and I was quite impressed by it," he said. "I just hope they can get their money back it is a major renovation."
In other business, the board extended a seasonal all-alcohol package store license for Peaslee's Package & Variety and approved a change of hours for the Tamarack Room.
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Pittsfield Resident Victim of Alleged Murder in Greenfield
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A man found dismembered in a barrel in Greenfield on Monday has been identified as Pittsfield resident.
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office identified victim as Christopher Hairston, 35, and subsequently arrested a suspect, Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 42, at Albany (N.Y.) International Airport on Tuesday.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette reported that Herberger-Brown told investigators he planned on visiting his mother outside the country.
Herberger-Brown was detained overnight, and the State Police obtained an arrest warrant on a single count of murder on Tuesday morning, the Greenfield Police Department said in a press release.
According to a report written by State Police Trooper Blakeley Pottinger, the body was discovered after Greenfield police received reports of a foul odor emitting from the apartment along with a black hatchet to the left of the barrel, the Greenfield Recorder reported.
Investigators discovered Hairston's hand and part of a human torso at Herberger-Brown’s former apartment, located at 92 Chapman St, the news outlet said.
According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Herberger-Brown originally told investigators that he had not been to the apartment in months because he had been in and out of hospitals.
Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
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Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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