NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope. A helicopter.
Residents have been hearing helicopters recently flying overhead while the National Guard does weekly training exercises at Harriman and West Airport. Though they have been doing the training for years, it took a hiatus while the airport was closed during the summer.
"They do training. The terrain around here is similar to what they see overseas," Airport General Manager Champney said. "They have been following proper procedure but I did have a noise complaint from a Williamstown resident last week."
According to Champney, the National Guard uses the public airport once or twice a week and has for the last four years. However, the summer silence is gone with the reopening and the helicopters loom in the air. Thursday afternoon saw the most recent.
Champney said the helicopters are not flying low nor with an increased frequency yet some residents have taken special notice to them recently.
"I'm surprised of all the hub-bub," Champney said. "They've been doing it the same frequency for four years."
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:: Preliminary Election: Deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 7. (Office open from 8 to 8.)
:: General Election: Deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 18
Registration can be completed at the city clerk's office at City Hall.
Absentee ballots are now available at the city clerk's office for the Sept. 27 preliminary city election. Voters may come in between the hours of 8 and 4:30 weekdays. Written reguests for mailed ballots can be sent to City Clerk's Office, 10 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Deadline for absentee ballots is Monday, Sept. 26, at noon.
The preliminary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, to narrow the field of three mayoral candidates to two. The general election to select nine city councilors and a mayor will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.
