Community Development

Post date: May 23, 2016 12:48:13 PM

BUILDING

The construction teams on both the Science Center and Bookstore project continue to make excellent progress, all structural steel for the Bookstore is complete.

Following an inspection on Friday the 14th by Building Commissioner Ryan Contenta and Fire Chief Pedercini, Chopsticks Restaurant was ordered immediately closed. At the 2015 Annual Inspection in October 2015, Chopsticks was required to have a properly cleaned and tested kitchen hood, duct system, and hood fire suppression system within 10 months. This condition was not met. In addition, further dangerous conditions were found during the inspection. These included significant grease deposits inside of the hood ducting system, unpermitted access panels cut through fire rated walls, a non functional fire alarm system missing the main control panel, and evidence of the attic being used as living space. A meeting was held with representatives from Chopsticks, Westall Architects and Town Officials Friday afternoon. The following were agreed upon as conditions for reopening;

- Chopsticks must have a functional, tested, certified, and inspected fire alarm system

- Chopsticks must property clean and certify the kitchen's fire suppression, hood, and duct systems.

- The access panels must be permitted, and designed by a registered professional to meet the Massachusetts State Building Code.

Following completion of the required work the Commissioner and Fire Chief must inspect the premises for compliance.

LAND USE

A team working with the Mass Housing Partnership on neighborhood level housing planning for Williamstown met on Friday. In attendance were Andrew Groff, Amy Jeschawitz, Susan Puddester, representatives from MHP, and Jenn Goldson an MHP consultant. The Planning Board, and its partners at MHP will be rolling out a plan for increased community engagement and dialogue surrounding housing choice and the future of housing preferences and neighborhood character in Williamstown over the coming months. Residents can expect to be invited to participate in the process through various channels including web based communication and in person forums and discussions throughout winter '16 - '17.