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Health Department: Numerous Great Barrington stores, including food establishments, have not renewed their permits with town

“We decided that starting next Tuesday [January 14], we will start going around to the food establishments and giving one last in-person reminder,” Health Department Agent Rebecca Jurczyk told the Selectboard. “If they can’t finish their applications, [we will] issue a cease-and-desist order."

Great Barrington — According to Health Department Agent Rebecca Jurczyk, a number of food establishments, tobacco retailers, and lodging providers have not renewed their Health Department permits with the town. Jurczyk spoke via Zoom about the lack of permit renewals during the Board of Health’s meeting on Thursday, January 9.

According to the town’s website, the Health Department is “responsible for ensuring compliance with all food service, septic system and well construction, lodging, public pools, recreational camps, residential housing, and tobacco regulations.”

Jurczyk said that the permits expired on December 31. “A couple of years ago, [the board] approved the Health Department to apply late fees,” Jurczyk said. “We charge a $25 late fee per week if the permit is outstanding. So that’s one avenue of enforcement that we utilize.”

Jurczyk said that since November, town Health Inspector James Massey has sent weekly messages to establishments reminding them to renew their permits. “We decided that starting next Tuesday [January 14], we will start going around to the food establishments and giving one last in-person reminder,” Jurczyk said. “If they can’t finish their applications, [we will] issue a cease-and-desist order. I know that sounds extreme, but as I said before, our office has sent out many reminders to these permit holders. It is illegal to operate without a food permit or an annual license from the Health Department. And that also goes for tobacco [sales] and lodging.”

Jurczyk said that food trucks are also required to get annual permits but that all of the food trucks in town have renewed their licenses.

She said the town earns approximately $25,000 from its annual Health Department permitting process.

Below is a list of businesses, as provided by Jurczyk, that have not renewed their permits as of Tuesday, January 14.

Food service establishments

  • Jose Mini Market, 177 Main Street
  • Uva Pizza E Vino, 20 Railroad Street
  • Momma Lo’s, 284 Main Street

Lodging

  • The Lantern Inn, 256 Stockbridge Road
  • Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 151 Christian Hill Road
  • Little Lion Motel, 506 Stockbridge Road

Tobacco retailers

  • Cumberland Farms, 140 Main Street, needs to submit to the town a product list, employer-/employee signed agreements, and staff tobacco training certificates.
  • Dollar General, 197 Main Street, needs to submit to the town a product list, employer-/employee-signed agreements, and staff tobacco training certificates.
  • Gulf Express, no address listed, needs to submit to the town staff tobacco training certificates.
  • South Main Xtra Mart, 696 South Main Street, needs to submit to town staff tobacco training certificates.

In addition, both Momma Lo’s and Fairview Commons have a hold on their permits due to taxes owed. Jurczyk explained via email that both establishments have completed the town’s permit requirements; however, the town is holding off on issuing the permits until both businesses get caught up with their tax payments.

Also during the meeting, the board convened into an executive session to discuss pending litigation involving Housatonic Water Works’ case against the town and board.

Back in September, the board issued an Order to Correct against the company. However, after the company filed an appeal against the board and town in Berkshire County Superior Court, on October 17, Associate Justice John Agostini issued an injunction against the board from enforcing its order to correct.

As of press time, the case is still ongoing and no court dates are currently scheduled.

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