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North Adams To Fine Crane $1,000 A Day

A sign that says "Crane" stands outside of a brick building
Josh Landes
/
WAMC
The Crane Stationery Plant in North Adams, Massachusetts

Starting Monday, North Adams, Massachusetts is fining the Crane Stationery Plant a thousand dollars a day for operating against city orders.

Mayor Tom Bernard has been embroiled in a back and forth with Crane and its owner, Mohawk Paper, over its right to perform nonessential functions. It reopened May 8th for the first time since mid-March. The company has been recognized as essential by the state, but Bernard says the fact that it refuses to solely do essential business is the rationale behind the fine – which went into effect Monday.

“We will continue to pursue that as part of the effort to reach some compliance on the order,” said Bernard.

In a statement, Mohawk Paper said the mayor’s actions violate state law and are retaliation for its announcement in April that it will lay off 85% of its 229 workers in June.

Josh Landes has been WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief since February 2018, following stints at WBGO Newark and WFMU East Orange. A passionate advocate for Western Massachusetts, Landes was raised in Pittsfield and attended Hampshire College in Amherst, receiving his bachelor's in Ethnomusicology and Radio Production. His free time is spent with his cat Harry, experimental electronic music, and exploring the woods.
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