NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Planning Board approved McCann Technical School's special permit request to build a new structure to house its incoming HVAC program.

 

With the approval, Superintendent James Brosnan told the Planning Board Monday that he hopes to be able to break ground in August.

 

"Everyone is busy, everyone is underfunded, everyone is understaffed, but I think we have a good project," he said. "I think we have done our homework, and the package we have going out is a good one. And the project isn't overwhelming."

 

The school received a $3.1 million state Skills Capital Grant to provide training HVAC. This will cover the construction of the building and the development of the program.  

 

The school is in an R-4 zone. An engineer with Foresight said the school has already received approval from the Conservation Commission.

 

The separate building will mostly be built on an existing parking lot. The 5,600-square-foot building will be gray in color and have a green roof, matching the rest of the building.

 

Work has already begun on a parking expansion project to make up for the lost parking spots.

 

The Planning Board did ask if Brosnan considered attaching the new building to the school, but Brosnan said it was just not a feasible project. 

 

"I don’t have the land for it," he said. "…We can add to the building but once we open up the envelope it becomes a whole different project. Thi just seems to be a better fit."

 

He said during shop week, students will mostly be in the new building.

 

He added that McCann has hired an instructor to run the program and has started an HVAC exploratory program. Brosnan said he hopes to have students in the new building this year.

 

Before closing the Planning Board approved new signage for Wallasauce located at 77 Main Street. Signage will remain red and gold as it has been for years on the former  J. J. Newberry storefront.