Letter: Tom Bernard for North Adams Mayor

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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.



Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, is coming upon us quickly. Please take a moment to put the date in your calendar to vote. Every vote matters, even in a city in which campaigns are low key. Votes matter because opportunities matter, attention to righting past city wrongs matter, and moving the city forward in a way that lifts up every single resident matters.

Not only has Mayor Tom Bernard worked hard to earn your vote. There is a slate of candidates for City Council and School Committee who are counting on your vote. Please take the time this Nov. 5 to elect the people who will continue to work as a team with Mayor Bernard to build a better tomorrow for North Adams.

Arlene Kirsch
Williamstown, Mass.

 

 


Tags: election 2019,   


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Greylock School Project Moves Into Construction; Geothermal System Approved

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The $65 million Greylock School Project has moved into construction phase, where it will stay for the next 18 months or so. 
 
Work has already started, as abatement of asbestos and lead paint at the old school are underway and trees and playground equipment removed for site preparation by general contractor Fontaine Bros.
 
"They hit the ground running," Jesse Saylor of TSKP Studio told the School Building Committee on Tuesday. "Fontaine's doing a nice job looking ahead and forecasting and ... we expect to get their schedule upcoming, as well as their breakdown of schedule of values, which is important because the [Massachusetts School Building Authority] reimburses the city based on that."
 
Timothy Alix of Collier's International, the owner's project manager, said the school construction will come in about $51 million and change.
 
"Our total budget is $65.3 million. We've processed invoices for roughly $4.4 million of that, we believe that roughly $4.2 [million] would be eligible for reimbursement, and then, based on the city's reimbursement rate, we expect a reimbursement of $3.4 [million]," Alix said. "It's right where we expected. Again, the biggest number here will be this construction line item, and we'll start seeing some invoices coming in as Fontaine builds out their schedule of values."
 
Saylor offered a presentation on the differences between vertical and horizontal geothermal systems, with the committee finally committing to horizontal. The savings are estimated at about $225,000; the project is expected to receive about $2.4 million in federal funds toward the alternative energy option. 
 
Committee members had been wary of the use of geothermal, which is being pushed by the state, but felt better after Tuesday's overview and voted unanimously to go with a horizontal system under the parking lot. 
 
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