Saturday March 31, 2012

ADAMS -- Two businesses' proposals -- including one for a new Dollar General -- were approved by the Planning Board Monday night, helping pave the way for both projects to potentially begin early this spring.

The first was a proposed expansion project from Holland Company Inc. on 153 Howland Avenue. The 45-year old town business wants to add a 68-foot-high by 140-foot-long steel building to an existing structure on the property.

Mike Badorini presented the proposal to the board, saying his plan put forth "a pretty aggressive schedule," and that he'd "like to see the project done by Sept. 15."

According to Badorini, of Holland Company, six of the company's storage tanks are currently not contained within a building, and the extension would put a roof over these tanks.

"Inside the building will be raw material storage tanks, our finished product and some expanded process area," Badorini said. "A lot of it will be empty for future use. We see potential for an increase in business, and that's part of the reason for building."

Holland Company manufactures aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride, sodium aluminate, potassium alum, ammonium alum and sodium bisulfate. They ship primarily in the Northeast, but provide nationwide service and also have an export market. Holland's products are used in water purification, paper-making and specialized industrial, food, and drug applications.

Badorini said if the company's

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business increases, it would only mean the difference of a single extra truck per day in traffic, because the company does most of its transport by rail. The board unanimously approved the application.

The second application was a proposal from Primax Properties LLC to build a Dollar General Store in the 1.8 acre lot south of Dunkin Donuts on Columbia Street.

Kevin W. Hixson, project manager representing Primax, presented the design to the board, including some minor changes recently added after a meeting with the Zoning Board.

"It's a store that hopefully can benefit the town of Adams," Hixson said. "We're excited to be in this town -- and I believe it's the first store in the state of Massachusetts for this organization."

The facility will be a 9,100 square foot dollar, convenience and grocery store with a 35-space parking lot. The board unanimously approved Primax's application.

"We're hoping to break ground in late spring," Hixson said. "Typically, once construction begins it takes three to four months."

To reach Phil Demers,
email pdemers@thetranscript.com.