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Better move, a science building's about to land.

MCLA Marks New Science Building Location

Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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President Mary Grant has been advocating for a new science center for years; at right is Adrienne Wootters, chairman of the physics department.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Science building. Science building. Science building.

That's the mantra that Mary Grant's been repeating — and repeating — to every state and elected official she could find. And, like the Little Engine That Could, that repetition is closer to realization with selection of a plot to plop the $54 million project down.

"This is a very sweet day — where you're sitting, a few years from now, we will be sitting in state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories and gathering space," said the president of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to the guests seated under a blue sky. "So enjoy this time in this parking lot, because soon it will all be different."
 
Grant was joined by faculty, staff and the many supporters elected and otherwise who have believed in the project, or been gently bullied into believing. Pretty much every elected official has a story about Grant's persistence on the issue. Outgoing Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, considered instrumental in attaining funding for the project, recalled how lawmakers would see Grant zeroing in on them and scatter before she could get "sci..." out of her mouth.

All joking aside, the science building under whatever name it takes is considered a major economic booster for the city and the region and the outcome of a collaborative effort, a fact illustrated by the wide range of officials from around the county at the event, including Berkshire Community College President Paul Raverta and Williams College President Adam Falk.

"It's extremely important for this school. It's also extremely important for this community. If you look at the job market in this community and you look at what we're doing in the commonwealth to create new jobs," said Bosley. "It's extremely important we create them in fields that are growing today."

MCLA with its 400 employees and nearly $38 million budget has an estimated $129 million impact on the region.

"This will undoubtedly provide much more than just educational amenities to this campus," said Mayor Richard Alcombright. "It will help through our entire education system the city of North Adams and Northern Berkshires."


Rep. Daniel E. Bosley gets a handshake from Rep. William 'Smitty' Pignatelli and applause from the crowd for his efforts on behalf of his alma mater MCLA over the years.
The building will be placed in what is now parking lots along Blackinton Street by the Admissions Office. The land was acquired by the MCLA Foundation, which has purchased a number of properties around the campus for potential use. It's main goal is to raise scholarship funds and Chairman Tim Dolan said the new building will help boost fund raising to new levels.

The layout of the structure is still a work in progress – groundbreaking is months away – but it will be built to LEED silver standards and take advantage of natural light and advanced materials. It will have labs and classrooms, space to accommodate student and faculty research and meeting areas and common rooms. The project also includes major renovations at Bowman Hall across the street. Students and faculty had input to the decisionmaking process for the structure being designed by Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architects & Engineers, a Boston firm with credentials in energy-conscious design and sustainability.

Adrienne Wootters, chairman of the physics department, was a bit giddy with the idea of not only getting space but having all the departments finally under one roof. But it wasn't just about space, she said, but having a place to prepare students for the future.

"We want students who not only know stuff but those who can use that learning to help solve complex problems of today's society," she said. "And we want all our graduates to do science. Not just our science majors — every single graduate from MCLA is going to be a citizen who votes who has to make personal decisions based on what they learned, probably here, about science."

Secretary of Education Paul Reville said the state's investment in education, particularly higher education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), is critical to its success.


Secretary of Education Paul Reville spoke on the importance of STEM education for jobs and economic growth.
"It's so important that public higher education gives us the focus and the depth and creates the pipeline for the jobs of the future and that's what this project is about," said Reville. But at a time when STEM jobs have doubled in the state, the number of students considering those fields has dropped to 22 percent, below the national average of 28. "That's shocking in a state with all these higher education institutions, in a state with all these STEM jobs, in a state rich in intellectual and scientific history that we're below the national average ... that should be alarming to us."

Also among the speakers were state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto, state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and Division of Capital Asset Management Commissioner David B. Perini, and Berkshire Economic Development Corp. President David Rooney.

Grant and others thanked Gov. Deval Patrick, who could not attend, and Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, who was at a groundbreaking, for their commitment to the project; former Mayor John Barrett III and Peter Larkin, former state representative for Pittsfield, were also acknowledged.

"This became a story of determination and perserverance," said board of trustees Chairwoman Jane Allen, who compared Grant to the Little Engine That Could. "Thank you for your vision and leadership and for helping all of us to believe in your mantra ... science building ... science building ... science building."
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North Adams Council Looks at Animal Commission, OKs Police Cruiser Deal

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council Tuesday took the first step toward forming a new Animal Control Commission.
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey brought the council the request to create a body to help the Police Department "in carrying out their responsibility under [Massachusetts General Law] as well as conduct hearings related to dangerous and/or nuisance dogs."
 
At Tuesday's meeting, Macksey told the council that state officials recommended that the city establish a commission, a proposal endorsed both by the local animal control officer and the interim police chief.
 
"As most of you know, we have a new animal control officer, Matthew Reynolds," Macksey said. "Part of his job has been to look at our ordinances and make sure we have enough documentation that when we get ourselves in a situation with a dangerous dog or nuisance dog, that we have enough procedures outlined."
 
According to a draft ordinance submitted by Macksey, the new five-member board would advise the city's animal control officer after hearing cases regarding concerns or complaints on an as-needed basis.
 
It also would be empowered to create educational programs, publish statistics on the city's animals and make recommendations to other bodies about a long-range plan to meet the North Adams' "needs in connection with animal control."
 
The councilors agreed that an Animal Control Commission would benefit the city.
 
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