Crane Hit With $1,000 Daily Fine for Violating Order

Crane Stationery Co. operated for a second day Monday in violation of conditions set by North Adams' mayor, prompting the city to impose the first of what could be $1,000 daily fines.

On Sunday, Health Inspector Michael Moore issued an emergency order to a Crane executive ordering the company to comply with conditions set the week before by Mayor Thomas Bernard. Crane called employees back to work Friday in defiance of the earlier order, which required it to document that work being done at the Curran Highway plant is "essential" under restricted business operations during the pandemic.

In addition to financial penalties, the city told Crane it could be subject to an order to close and face the loss of licenses or permits it holds for its plant in the Robert Hardman Industrial Park off Route 8.

Bernard said he acted originally to prevent any of the plant's roughly 230 workers from being exposed to the coronavirus while fulfilling nonessential duties.

Read the entire story at The Berkshire Eagle.com.