Letter: Tom Bernard for North Adams Mayor

To the Editor:

Tom Bernard, the mayor of North Adams, shows up. Everywhere. And he would do more if only there were more hours in a day. In a recent Facebook post listing a dizzying number of activities which he led or joined in, Mayor Bernard wrote, "There are so many positive and exciting things happening in North Adams and throughout the Berkshires right now, and it's such a privilege to be part of them. Now if I could finally master the trick of being in three places at once."

With Tom Bernard, it's genuine. He deeply cares about all the people in North Adams — their well being, their quality of life, their opportunities. And he doesn't stop at the city's borders. He "gets it" that in Berkshire County, connections and mutual support create more opportunities for the people of North Adams, so you will see him attending events in the County seat of Pittsfield, too.

I live in Williamstown but work and attend civic events in North Adams. I've seen up close the significant difference that Tom Bernard has made in the city — and throughout North County.

Arlene Kirsch
Williamstown, Mass.

North Adams Holds Groundbreaking for New $65M Greylock School

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
06:25PM / Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Connie Tatro, a School Building Committee member, and her daycare charges have been keeping a close watch on the project. See more pictures here. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The groundbreaking on Tuesday for the new Greylock School was a mesh of past and present. 

 

As a long line of officials grabbed their shovels for the ceremonial dirt toss, the old school was being taken apart behind them and forms for the footings for the new school were being installed across the way. 

 

And perhaps the most important component of the day were the children from Connie Tatro's daycare in their safety vests, already digging in the dirt. 

 

They will be the first prekindergarten class when the school opens in fall 2027.

 

"This is truly a special moment for all of us as this school is being built as a community school today, we are marking more than start of a construction project," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. 

 

"We're marking the moment when years of planning, collaboration and community commitment become something real, something visible and something that's going to last long beyond any of us. This is where we truly begin turning work from conception to reality."

 

It's taken three mayors, three superintendents, three school building committees and one contentious vote to get to this point.