Election 2009: Boucher Backs Housing Commission

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Ronald Boucher, 52, of 645 Barbour St. is running for a sixth term as city councilor.

He is marred to the former Ellen Shea and three children, Sarah, Joe and Meghan, and three grandchilren. He works in coporate sales for Ecolab, a sanitation supply firm.

For some time, Boucher also has been the North Adams representative to the Hoosac Water Quality District, which operates the wastewater treatment plant for both North Adams and Williamstown. He has also served as vice president of the council is currently the chairman of the Public Safety Committee and a member of the Traffic Commission.

"The reason for seeking a sixth term is simple," said Boucher. "I enjoy public service and being able to help others in the community, and help make North Adams an attractive and affordable destination for families."

He continued:

There are many issues that we will face over the next two years as councilors. The biggest issue is we continue sound fiscal management practices, and to continue to look for new revenue sources. For example, the Mohawk Theater, Clark Biscuit building, the former city gravel bank, are three projects that will help increase tax base revenues.

Secondly, I want to continue to make North Adams an attractive, safe and affordable community to raise a family and invest in business and bring jobs to the city.


Third, I am in favor of a Housing Commission that will set expectations for buyers of property they purchase. I want to eliminate the type of property owner whose only goal is to suck the property dry and leave its tenants in limbo and for the absentee landlord who just collects the rent and does nothing else for there tenants there needs to be accountability!

As for the landlords who invest in their properties and provide good quality housing, I want to say thank you!

We have become an arts and cultural center with the Massachusetts Musuem of Contemporary Art, the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, and the Eclipse Mill and NoAMA in North Adams. We are a tourist destination now and forever. But we must not put all of our eggs in one basket, we need to continue to explore other forms of economic growth for the city and its downtown, and be supportive of existing business

Curran Highway and the Lowe's project and the sale of the gravel bank and pending development at that site will all be major sources of tax revenues for the city, but most important is the creation of new jobs with a good pay scale and benefits.

AND YES NORTH ADAMS IS ON THE RIGHT PATH, NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE.

Submitted by Ronald Boucher
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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