The North Adams Ambulance Serviced accepted the delivery of two brand-new ambulances today. Manager John Meaney Jr. stands with the new Unit 1.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Twins were delivered this morning to 10 Harris St., making for a very happy crew at North Adams Ambulance Service.
Named Unit 1 and Unit 3, they've been eagerly awaited since the previous Unit 3 went up in flames last September. The service has been using a used 1994 ambulance purchased from New Jersey as a backup Unit 3.
"They both have less than a thousand miles on them," beamed service Manager John Meaney Jr., adding it was a big relief to have the new ambulances.
This vehicle replaces one that caught fire last year. The units are delivered as shells so they can equipped or modified by the service.
There was originally only going to be one ambulance, the replacement for Unit 3, itself only a year old when the cab caught fire. The manufacturer, Yankee Fire and Rescue Inc. of Palmer, offered a discount for two, so it was decided to replace the aging Unit 1 at the same time. The service replaces its vehicles depending on usage.
The 2009 ambulances cost $92,000 each. Delivered as "shells," they were being prepared for service with radios and equipment.
Meaney said Unit 1 should be on the road today; Unit 3 should be ready tomorrow. There would be no lapse of coverage while the units were being switched over.
The ambulances will operate on 30-day licenses until they can be inspected and certified by the state.
Meaney said the 1994 vehicle will be maintained as a backup and stored off-site; the new 2009s will join Unit 2, a 2005 model.
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That is great news - North Adams should be proud. This ambulance service seems to be growing at a rapid pace as I have seen it grow over the years as a neighbor to it. My only question is where are you going to keep all these ambulances? Looks kind of cramped at your station.
Passenger Rail Advocates Rally for Northern Tier Proposal
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Stan Vasileiadis, a Williams College student, says passenger rail is a matter of equity for students and residents.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Community, education and business leaders are promoting the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Restoration Project as a critical component for economic development — and say it's high time that Western Mass gets some of the transportation infrastructure money being spent in the eastern end of the state.
"What today is all about is building support and movement momentum for this project and getting it done," said state Rep. John Barrett III on Monday, standing behind a podium with a "Bring back the Train!" at City Hall. "I think that we can be able to do it, and when we can come together as political entities, whether it's over in Greenfield, Franklin County, and putting it all together and put all our egos in the back room, I think all of us are going to be able to benefit from this when it gets done."
The North Adams rail rally, and a second one at noon at the Olver Transit Center in Greenfield, were meant to build momentum for the proposal for "full local service" and coincided with the release of a letter for support signed by 100 organizations, municipalities and elected officials from across the region.
The list of supporters includes banks, cultural venues, medical centers and hospitals, museums and chambers of commerce, higher education institutions and economic development agencies.
1Berkshire President and CEO Jonathan Butler said the county's economic development organization has been "very, very outspoken" and involved in the rail conversation, seeing transportation as a critical infrastructure that has both caused and can solve challenges involving housing and labor and declining population.
"The state likes to use the term generational, which is a way of saying it's going to take a long time for this project," said Butler. "I think it's the same type of verbiage, but I don't think we should look at it that way. You know, maybe it will take a long time, but we have to act what we want it next year, if we want it five years from now. We have to be adamant. We have to stay with it. And a room like this demonstrates that type of political will, which is a huge part of this."
The Berkshires is due for a "transformational investment" in infrastructure, he said, noting one has not occurred in his lifetime.
Monument Mountain's Everett Pacheco took control of the race in the final mile and went on to a convincing Division 3 State Championship on Saturday at Fort Devens. click for more
Some of the students were urged on by the Swarm Club, which hosted a pizza tailgate party that drew about 75 parents, students and staff before the game and then sited themselves on the field where "Swarm" was stenciled on the ground.
click for more
The City Council on Tuesday voted to maintain the split tax shift, resulting in a drop in the residential and commercial tax rates. However, higher property values also mean a $222 higher tax bill. click for more
The city of North Adams is hosting three community walks this week to solicit input on a study of the 60-year-old Central Artery project. click for more
This vehicle replaces one that caught fire last year. The units are delivered as shells so they can equipped or modified by the service.
