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.
