Spruces informational bulletin #13 from the Town of Williamstown, Thursday, September 15, 2011 The condemnation notices

attached to 154 homes are NOT a demolition order. It is a required notice under State law for homes determined by the Board of Health to be unfit for human habitation. State law requires that occupants vacate within 48 hours, but of course everyone did so long ago. This notice does NOT prohibit you from entering your home to retrieve belongings or perform repairs. You simply may not live there unless and until repairs are completed if your home is repairable. If you think a mistake has been made, you may appeal your notice to the Board of Health. The Board of Health will hold special meetings on Monday, September 19, and Monday, September 26, 2011 to hear all appeals to the Condemnation notices. Both meetings will begin at 7:30 p.m. ALL requests for appeal MUST be in writing and filed with the Department of Inspection Services, 31 North Street in Williamstown by 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 20, at the latest. Individuals wishing to appeal the decision of the Health Inspector may bring their written notice of appeal in person to the special meeting on Monday, September 19. Please include the homeowners name, current address and telephone number, and the Spruces address of the affected residence in your request. You may have an electrician test and reconnect the electricity to your condemned home to facilitate cleaning and repairs. Berkshire Gas will not reconnect gas service until electricity has been restored because most gas appliances depend upon electricity to function safely. 5 homes have passed structural, electrical, and gas inspections and may be reoccupied. A sixth home await a new water heater before being occupied. A total of 19 homes have passed structural inspection; 25 more will require contractor repairs; 35 more will require evaluation by an engineer before repairs can be made. Total: 79. Electricity has been restored to 42 homes. Of the 11 homes inspected for gas 6 have had their gas turned on and 5 have failed their gas inspections so must be repaired by the homeownerbefore service is restored.
It is very important that all Spruces residents register with FEMA. If you have not done so yet, please call 800-621-3362 today! After registering, please go to either of the Disaster Recovery Centers listed below. The FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Center at 430 Main Street behind Cumberland Farms is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The center is closed on Sunday. The FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Center in the tent on the Spruces grounds adjacent to the community recreation center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until Tuesday, September 20.

A free community dinner will be held for residents of the Spruces this Sunday, September 18, at 5:30 p.m. The dinner is hosted by St. Johns Episcopal Church at 35 Park Street. The building is handicap accessible. A free community dinner will be held for residents of the Spruces on Sunday, September 25. There will be two sittings at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. The dinner is hosted by the First Baptist Church at 731 Main Street. The building is handicap accessible.

Hot meals are available at 11:30 on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Harper Center, 118 Church Street, reservations required by 10:30 on the preceding day, contact 458-8350 or 458-8250 for information. Voluntary donations are accepted. The Mountain One Organization is sponsoring a Spaghetti Supper to benefit Spruces residents at the North Adams American Legion on Thursday, October 6th, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for senior citizens and children under 12, $3.00 for Spruces residents with ID. Includes salad, pasta, meatballs, bread and coffee. Pick up and go orders available. Tickets available at: Hoosac Bank and the Williamstown Savings Bank.

The Bulletin for Spruces residents is distributed Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at The Spruces, the FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Center at 430 Main Street, the Municipal Building, and the Harper Senior Center. It is a collection of all info distributed as it is received. Be sure to read previous editions for complete information.