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North Adams Panel Hears Comments on 'Safe Community' Resolution

Chairman Eric Buddington speaks with attendees at Thursday's meeting.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City councilors are expected vote on a refined resolution in February declaring the city a safe and welcoming community after taking more feedback from residents.

The resolution was introduced in December by City Councilors Nancy Bullett and President Benjamin Lamb but ran into some concerns over language and intent. A second pass at the resolution was referred to the Community Development Committee for more public input. Lamb sent another more streamlined revision to the committee through Bullett as he was unable to attend.

The response at meetings has been generally favorable, although there have been worries over specific language and what it might lock the city into — or cost it in federal funds. And while there has been opposition, a number of the nearly two dozen residents at Thursday's committee meeting stood in support of the statement.

"I do worry about federally pushed mandates that challenge our moral compass, undermine our very constitution, and force us as a commonwealth and a city to make tough decisions that may hurt financially should we stand by our principles," said Tara Jacobs, a member of the School Committee. "I hope that we, too, have the fortitude and fiber to stand strong in the belief in what is right in the face of what will financially be tested."

But she cautioned, the resolution can't exist without solutions. "I feel that without an action plan these will be nice words," Jacobs said.

Resident Michael DiLego also questioned the need and the how of the resolution, what it would actually accomplish.

"Once someone has learned hatred it's very hard to reverse that," he said. "How do we protect the people this resolution is designed to protect after the resolution goes into effect if we can't do it now?"  

The community should be looking at ways to reach people, he continued, and getting the message out.

Bullett, a member of the Community Development Committee, explained that the resolution was about recognizing the increasing diversity of the community and welcoming in new residents drawn by the colleges, the museums and other reasons.

"As that community gets bigger and different it's important, you're absolutely right, you have to reach the younger children first," she said to Dilego. "If we can make a difference in one person's life, and pay it forward to 10 more, think of what we can do."

McCann Nursing Graduates Urged to Be 'Positive Influence' on Health System

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Thursday, November 07, 2024

See more photos from the pinning ceremony here. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School celebrated the graduation Tuesday of 17 new nurses from its licensed practical nursing program. 

 

"I can say, without reservation, that I am incredibly proud of each and every one of these individuals before you," Christa Berthiaume, program coordinator and doctor of nursing practice, said to family and friends in the school gym. "This class has come together as family to support each other, grow, learn, laugh, and even cry together. 

 

"Thank you for joining us this evening as we celebrate this accomplishment in their lives and thank you for providing the support and guidance that has fostered the success of these amazing people."

 

When they interviewed for the program last January, Berthiaume said she told the program would be hard but that they wouldn't understand until they had gone through it. 

 

She asked them to think back of their first day —what they could do then and what they can do now. 

 

"Throughout this year, we have seen so much growth in each of you. Whether it was overcoming the fear of a certain procedure, going to a clinical site that you were not exactly looking forward to, improving your critical thinking and clinical judgment, and yes, even your nursing-test-taking skills," she said. "The growth is immeasurable."

 

The 10-month, 1,155-hour program began in January and included clinical rotations on evenings and weekends. Many of the graduates were assured of jobs after taking their licensing exam as they were sponsored by entities such as Berkshire Health Systems and Integris Healthcare, which covered costs and paid them a salary.