NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday approved an appropriation of $256,635 from the Land Sales Account for easements and takings related to the Ashland Street project.

 

A second roll call vote approved the easements and takings during a meeting lasting nearly three hours.

 

"This is a construction project that has been in the works for probably, like eight years, coming down the pipe in conjunction with MassDOT," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "And what we are asking tonight is permission for appropriation for us to pay for some permanent and some temporary easements to complete this work."

 

The mayor noted the use of "eminent domain" in the legal language but assured the council and audience that no one's home or driveway were being taken.

 

The temporary construction easements will terminate after six years; the permanent roadway easements will give the city rights to access those areas for purposes of repair or public construction. 

 

The takings are the city's contribution to the $11.4 million Complete Streets project, being funded by the state Department of Transportation through the 2026 Transportation Improvement Program. The account has $463,000, leaving a balance of $207,000 after the appropriation.

 

Macksey said this is similar to what was done for the Brayton School safe routes project but the appraisals were much higher.