Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/5/2022
CHICOPEE – After months of debating how to proceed with SilverBrick Mills and owner Aaron Papowitz, the Zoning Committee issued a united stance against the businesses and its “damaging” practices within the city during a March 30 meeting.
Background
SilverBrick Mills, which is run by 4 Perkins LLC, remains dormant after the city closed the space due to safety concerns with the building’s fire and sprinkler systems. The sudden closure of the 165 Front St. business complex on March 1 displaced tenants from their property, with Mayor John Vieau and city officials issuing strong denouncements of the property’s practice leading up to the emergency closing.
“They are inadequate, deficient, not working properly and putting people in harm’s way. Frankly, that’s just not ok…It is their responsibility to provide safe tenant spaces for each tenant that is occupying the building. The city is not doing this, it is the negligence of the current owner,” said Vieau in his Feb. 28 press conference.
Before the closing, Papowitz met with the Zoning Committee in January and February to discuss a special permit request that would allow him to revitalize the space. Ward 3 City Councilor Delmarina Lopez and Ward 9 City Councilor Mary-Elizabeth Pniak Costello did not support awarding SilverBrick the permit or any extensions in January, stressing that the space evolved into a major safety concern for the tenants and the city.
The Zoning Committee and City Council ultimately voted to continue SilverBrick’s special permit request twice, with the last continuation occurring during the March 1 City Council meeting. Members of the council stressed that they wanted to see significant safety improvements from Papowitz upon granting the final extension.
Zoning Committee Meeting
Papowitz opened the conversation by sharing his request to withdraw SilverBrick’s special permit request. In a memorandum submitted to the committee, Papowitz detailed SilverBrick’s inability to complete the required safety measures.
“It’s become clear to 4 Perkins that we will not be able to address the issues by March 30,” said Papowitz in his March 22 memorandum. Papowitz also stated that it will be in the city’s best interest to accept the withdrawal request.
Attorney Dan Garvey explained to the committee that accepting the withdrawal would allow Paopwotiz to resubmit his request, while a denial will prevent the property from making a special permit request for two years unless significant changes occurred.
Acting Building Commissioner Frank Boron and Fire Department Capt. Benjamin Turnberg provided an update on how SilverBrick utilized the March special permit continuation. Turnberg said the city’s fire watch of the property witnessed partying, squatters and “activity that’s unsafe under any condition” in the closed space.
The activity led to the city closing the property before their original March 31 deadline, according to Turnberg.
Boron shared that the city cannot comment as they await a court appearance on April 1 against SilverBrick. “It’s in the courts hands what the next actions are going to be,” said Boron.
The update and Papowitz’s withdrawal request drew significant ire from the committee. Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe stressed that SilverBrick did not take the extension “seriously,” stating his hopes that SilverBrick does not operate in the city again.
“They are not a serious company. They are not serious landlords…While we would all like to see this property redeveloped, this property owner has reached the end of the line…Hopefully, this is the last time we see anything SilverBrick before us,” said McAuliffe.
Lopez considered the request “laughable and disrespectful” to the committee. “SilverBrick has done enough damage to the city and the tenants...it stops now. We have to turn a new leaf,” said Lopez.
Pniak-Costello, who shared that her initial decision to deny the extension represented her proudest moment since being involved in politics in 1980, stressed that SilverBrick can not continue with this property due to the ongoing public safety concerns. “This extension should have been denied a long time ago…This has to stop…and the main reason is public safety,” said Pniak-Costello.
City Councilor At-Large Robert Zygarowski, City Councilor At-Large Frank Laflamme, City Councilor At-Large George Balakier and Ward 8 City Councilor Gary Labrie expressed their disappointment with SilverBrick after supporting the initial extension. “Maybe a good buyer will come forward, but this company has not shown us anything. They’ve been an embarrassment to the city,” said Zygarowski.
Zygarowski discussed former Mayor Richard Kos’ intentions for SilverBrick when deciding to do business with the property owner in 2017. “It looked good at the time. [Kos] probably felt it was a good business venture…none of us expected this to happen,” said Zygarowski.
Papowitz asked to address the councilors’ comments, but ultimately left the meeting before the vote took place.
The Zoning Committee ultimately voted 7-0 to deny Papowitz’s withdrawal request. The 165 Front St. space cannot request a special permit until significant change, such as major renovations or a new property owner, occur. The City Council will take a final vote on the issue during their next meeting.