By Derek Gentile
The Berkshire Eagle

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — In the wake of the denial of a certificate of occupancy by the town's building inspector, the Selectmen said they will appeal that ruling and also accelerate a program to upgrade the water pressure in the Main Street corridor.

In connection with that decision, they also announced a special town meeting on Monday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 at a site to be announced. The principal reason for the meeting will be to ask voters to accept a $2.9 million loan, at 2 percent, from the state's Revolving Drinking Water Fund to cover the cost of upgrading the pipes on Main Street.

A few weeks ago, acting on recommendations from the state fire marshal and from Stockbridge Fire Chief Louis Peyron, Building Inspector Edward "Ned" Baldwin denied the town a certificate of occupancy for the Plain School.

The problem was the third floor of the school. The entire building is being renovated by the town to hold new town offices, a new police station and several local tenants. According to Selectmen Chairman George Shippey, the basement and first and second floors were deemed to have adequate water pressure for sprinkler systems.

However, the fire marshal ruled that the town would not be able to provide the third floor, which currently is vacant, with sufficient water to fight a fire.

"The ruling was that if something did happen on that third floor, and we needed to get firefighters up there, they would be in danger," Shippey said.

The town has been aware of the water pressure problem for several years and has been planning to address it this year or next, said Selectwoman Deborah McMenamy.

"We have people in the downtown area already who have (water pressure) problems," she said. "We have a plan in place to deal with it."

The Main Street area currently is served by a 6-inch water main that has been in place for decades, she said. The upgrade would double the size of the main, to 12 inches, and alleviate the water pressure problem.

McMenamy said the town was planning to present the plan to voters at the annual town meeting in May. But, she said, that plan will be speeded up several months to enable the town to deal with the Plain School water problems.

The other part of the plan is to construct a 500,000-gallon water tank on Eden Hill. The town has been socking away $100,000 annually for five years to cover the cost of that project, which is expected to be about $600,000.

The appeal already has been filed with the Massachusetts Building Code Appeals Board which is obligated to schedule a hearing within 30 to 90 days of the appeal.

He said that the town was assured by its engineer, R.W. Hall of Agawam, that the building was within code. Depending on the kinds of costs the town incurs during the appeal process, there may be an attempt to recover some of those costs from the firm, he added.

"We are looking at that, I can assure you," Shippey said.

The town also has several tenants who have signed on to rent space in the former Plain School. Shippey said all have been notified.

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