23D-044 (3) October 15, 1979
Mr. Fred Nehring, Pres.
The Hay State Village Association
Northsmptci, MG. :11n#&'>
Dear VW. Nehringr
,,.,.>,._.. Ir reference to your letter dated Oath bar 9, 1979 concerning the
Question of a Halfway House being established at 106 Riverside
Drive, please be *were of the f-ollowings
This is a single-family dwelling. I quote the following taken
from the Meesachusette Building Cedes —.-- "Dwallings one family,
A building oontaiAing one (1 ) duelling unit with not more then three
(3) lodgers or boarders." ---
w..._:. Also, I gcwte.-in part. page 2-5 Df the Northamptoi Zoning Nam -- - -
"For purposes of controlling residential density, sash such group of
.four (4). individuals shall constitute a single family.—
intielosod. you will find a letter from the owner and the lessees of this,
yroperty. In light of these facts, this residence appears to be a
single family dwelling. This office would not discriminate because of
.a financial or mental deficiency of the tenants. Please note that
proof ofmorethan four (4) unrelated people residing in this resi-
dense, would be reason for this office to take action.
If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to Gall upon
us.
Very truly yo'.u`a,
Cecil I. Clark
gaiia=% MPrC1X)R
CIC/lp
one.
cot Mayor Chapman
Paul Bixby -
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October 9, 1979
To Cecil Clark Building Inspector,
The Bay State Village Association held its meeting Oct. 2, 1979.
The question of a Halfway House being established at 100 Riverside Dr. on
the corner of Federal St and Riverside Dr. The residents of Bay State
would like to know how this came about without a public hearing or
notification from the Board of Health and Department of Mental Health.
The city council has a lack of knowledge on the matter and should be
informed. The Association wants this matter investigated and a report sent
to Councilmen John Fitzgerald 133 South Main St. Florence, and the Assoc—
iation President Fred Nehring 189 Riverside Dr. Northampton. The Bay State
Village Association expects a public hearing before any Halfway House is
established in Bay State. All appropriate measures will be taken to correct
this matter. A list of residents of Bay State opposed to a Halfway House
in Bay State will be furnished upon request.
Sincerely,
Fred Nehring, Pres.
Copies to:
Mayor Harry Charman
City Council Pres. Paul Bixby
° FOCf 1 1979 0
DEPT.OF BUILDING INSPECI IONS
NORTHAMPTON,MA.01060
-►:-► RIVERSIDE
♦
October 9, 1979
Building Inspector C / /
City of Northampton
212 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01060
To whom it may concern:
Thank you for your concern expressed regarding the property at
100 Riverside Drive. As you are undoubtedly aware, this property is
rented by four unrelated adults. This house is not a half-way house as
there is no live in staff, and the residents receive only minimal sup-
port from Riverside Industries. This living arrangement is the last
step before independent functioning in the community for the residents.
As of October 1, 1979 the four people residing at 100 Riverside
Drive are as follows:
Walter Beals
Dennis Starzyk
Peter Torres
Lawrence Barnes
I wish to thank you for your concern. Please don't hesitate to
contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely, (�
Stephen B. Maxner
Community Living Director
cc: Roger Brunelle
Ron Bittel
SM/cc
Riverside Industries, Inc. *One Cottage Street ' Easthampton' Mass. 01027' (413) 527-2711
R.F.D. #3
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
September 18, 1979
Mr. Roger Cooney, Agent
199 Federal Street
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
Dear Mr. Cooney:
In a recent phone conversation with Mr. Clark, the Northampton Building
Inspector, there was a concern expressed over the number of people living in
your house. This concern arose from the number of cars parked in your yard.
I explained to him that when I rented the house to you in the Spring
that I told you that a law existed in Massachusetts allowing only four
unrelated persons to live together in a dwelling unit. With this law in mind,
I leased the house to four lessees.
I am writing you at this time to re-confirm our rental arrangement.
Please contact me if any misunderstanding exists.
Very truly,
Jeffrey Wood
JW:kls
CC: Mr. Cecil Clark
Mr. Gromley, Building Inspectors
R.F.D. R3
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
September 18, 1979
Mr. Roger Brunelle, President
Riverside Industries
One Cottage Street
Easthampton, Massachusetts 01027
Dear Mr. Brunelle:
In a recent phone conversation with Mr. Clark, the Northampton Builder's
Inspector, there was a concern expressed that my property at 100 Riverside
Drive was being used as a halfway house rather than a single family dwelling.
I'm writing you at this time to re-confirm the rental arrangements made
between myself and Steven Gallik, acting as your Agent. As a result of our
conversations, it is my understanding that the individuals living in my house
are reasonably self sufficient persons; employed and for the most part able to
take care of themselves. It had been explained to me that these individuals
had been released from a Halfway house and were searching for a place to live
together. I was also assured that these individuals were not behavior
problems but instead only a little less fortunate in intelligence level.
In running my rental business I make a serious attempt not to
discriminate against individuals based on race, religion, etc. , or minor
handicaps. On the other hand I am, in no way interested in renting for the
purposes of a halfway house as I do not have the Town's authority to do so.
It is my understanding that I am renting my property to four and no more
than four unrelated individuals who have a mutual minor handicap and that your
company as their employer is willing to act as their lease co-signer. It is
also my understanding, based on your assurance, that these individuals do not
pose a threat to the surrounding neighborhood.
Based on these understandings, I rest assured that our rental
relationship will be a pleasant one.
In closing I want to add that I have made an attempt, in,buying the
property last December, to bring the house up to current living standards.
For asthetic purposes, it would be nice to improve the house's interior
decorating. I've mentioned to Steve that I would be willing to provide paint,
wallpaper and supplies if you were willing to provide some labor to do some
more decorating. Also enclosed is a list of improvements done since last
winter.
Please contact me if there are any further developments with this
matter. Thank you for your cooperation. P
Yours truly, IMP
� I
Jeffrey Wood SGP 20 ON
cc: Mr. Cecil Clark
Mr. Gromley, Building InspectorsOPatWIrAW,10NSL�'
RIIIAMP W MA 01060
Improvements Completed Since December 1978
100 Riverside Drive
Northampton, Massachusetts 01060
1. Reinforce and replace upstairs bedroom ceiling.
2. Replace and polyurethane oak floor in upstairs bedroom.
3. Add required electric sockets to four upstairs bedrooms.
4. Replace electric service from the street and change to a switched panel.
5. Paint upstairs ceilings.
6. Sheetrock and paint upstairs bedroom.
7. Replace broken glass throughout house.
B. Add new combination storm-screen windows wherever needed. throughout
house.
9. Putty and paint all windows.
10. Insulate the attic.
11. Repair cracked walls.
12. Paint bedroom floor.
13. Paint bathroom.
14. Replace shower.
15. Paint and wallpaper center vestibule.
16. Repair livingroom ceiling and first coat trim and ceiling.
17. Paint garage trim.
18. Make major oil burner repairs and install a baffle.
19. Replace hot water piping around heater.
20. Remove all debris from in and around the house.