Council approves Kemp Park easement for school sale
North Adams City Council voted 9-0 to approve an Article 97 land swap clearing the way for the city to sell the vacant Sullivan School to MASS MoCA.
Select Board · Meeting of August 26, 2026
North Adams City Council voted 9-0 to approve an Article 97 land swap clearing the way for the city to sell the vacant Sullivan School to MASS MoCA. Director of Community Development Maria Kozik said the city will offer the state a 0.81-acre replacement parcel off Minor Street, appraised at $35,000, to compensate for a 0.468-acre Kemp Park driveway easement appraised at $19,000. Attorney Lee Smith said any conveyance of interest in the Article 97-protected park "prohibits a use that's inconsistent with" state conservation law, requiring a legislative special act that cannot reach the House floor before January 2027.
The council also voted 9-0 to approve a National Grid pole relocation on Walnut Street and unanimously passed a new fee schedule for the planning, zoning and conservation boards. Separately, Councilor Zavatsky told colleagues the Housing Authority's Tenants Association was "locked out of their offices" without written notice, and said she will seek an emergency hearing and an investigation into Executive Director Jennifer Hahn's conduct.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,109 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of August 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Members read the rest of this story and every North Adams meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this story
Know someone in North Adams who follows town government? Share Townbrief North Adams: they can sign up free.