Letter: Thank You to North Adams Firefighters

To the Editor:

On Aug. 4, 2020, at around 4:30 p.m., I had an electrical fire in my house. I wanted to express my appreciation to Steve Meranti, fire chief, and all the firefighters that responded quickly to my home, Wire Inspector Mike Lescarbeau and Assistant Wire Inspector Mitch Meranti and electrician Pete
Milesi.

Pete was the only electrician that answered my calls for assistance. He was a tremendous asset. I would recommend him without reservation for any electrical work in your home. Special thanks to state Representative John Barrett, and his capable assistant, Lisa, for assisting in cutting through the endless bureaucrat "red tape."

National Grid was not as helpful. Frankly, they were not responsive and were completely indifferent to our requests to have the power shut off and turned back on so my electrician could reconnect my electricity without have to do it with the wires live. After speaking with many local officials, it appears the local office for National Grid isn't the issue. The issue lies with the corporate office in New Jersey. National Grid said they were too busy too deal my issue because they were dealing with a storm in New York. Since a British company purchased National Grid's local services hasn't been as good. I would suggest if National Grid is too big to handle needed responses in multiple states then it is time for local politicians to look into National Grid being too big to effective service its customers. It maybe time to consider competition for National Grid in the Northern Berkshires.

Their apathetic demeanor isn't worthy of a monopoly.

Jim Bergeron
North Adams, Mass.

North Adams Council Sets School Debt Exclusion Vote

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:26AM / Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Council President Bryan Sapienza holds up an application to work as a poll worker for the upcoming elections. The form can be found under 'Becoming an election worker' under city clerk on the city website or in the city clerk's office. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council gave final approval on Tuesday for the mayor to borrow $65,362,859 for a new Greylock School to serve Grades prekindergarten through 2.

 

This second reading of the order, approved last month, was adopted unanimously.

 

This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center. Passage of the debt exclusion vote will allow the city to raise funds beyond its levy limit for the life of the loan. 

 

City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said the city has about 1,400 requests for mail-in ballots for all elections and that in-person early voting will start the Saturday before. 

 

The first forum is Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at Greylock; officials will provide an overview of the project and tours of the school. Zoom participation is available here. Northern Berkshire Community Television will also record the forums for later broadcast.

 

The second forum is Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. at Brayton Elementary School. The Zoom link is the same and those attending in person can also take a tour of the building.

 

The Massachusetts School Building Authority will pick up about $41,557,218 of the cost, the city about $20 million and the $3 million balance is expected to come from federal energy grants. The 30-year tiered loan for $20 million is expected to have its highest impact in 2029 when it will add $270 to the average tax bill, or about $22.50 a month.