Mount Anthony Union Middle School finally on its way

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Ten students donned hard hats last week to break ground at the site of the new Mount Anthony Union Middle School; many of these young people were not yet born when the project began more than 14 years ago. The middle school has been “a long time coming to this community.” said Richard Pembroke, chair of the Mount Anthony Union School District Board. Speaking to a crowd of about 200 people at the groundbreaking ceremony last week, many of whom huddled under umbrellas, he called the project “the culmination of a lot of hard work.” In the audience, Kevin McDonald agreed; he gave credit to “a lot of dedicated people who just weren’t giving up.” McDonald became involved in the project in 1990 as chair of the newly formed Bennington School District Facilities Committee. His own children grown beyond the age to attend the new school, McDonald said the school will be of great benefit to Bennington. The school will be open and available to the entire community — everybody will be proud and will enjoy spending time here, said Pembroke. The groundbreaking is a great beginning; the new school will offer a host of opportunities for educational growth and economic development, said Town Manager Stuart Hurd. Hurd said he hoped the school will help begin a healing process in Bennington. Of present benefit to the community, Eckman Construction will get steel for the project from Bennington Ironworks, said Pembroke. Eckman Construction and Truex Cullins Architects are a good team, he said. The 147,000 square foot school on East Road is expected to be ready for students in September 2004. David Adams, principal of the middle school, thanked parents and community members. In his comments, interim superintendent of the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union Bob Marcoux predicted that the school will be a point of pride for Bennington for many years to come. The psychology of Bennington and its ability to attract businesses and families will be positively impacted through the school, said McDonald. He added that the future school can be used by community groups that need a space to meet and that the gym and playing fields will fill a great need in Bennington. Further private fundraising will be can enhance what the school is doing, he added. The first bills for site work — for land clearing and the driveway — are expected at the end of December, said Cindy L. Palmer, who is providing financial services for the MAUMS. The land, purchased in 1997, was paid off in October, she said. According to Bill Hurley, chair of the board when the site was selected, noted that there were few spots with so much acreage, as well as water and sewage. He added that he was happy to see the groundbreaking for a project so long delayed. Mount Anthony Union will accommodate seventh and eighth graders from Bennington, North Bennington, Shaftsbury, Woodford and Pownal and sixth graders from Bennington.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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