Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study Information Meeting

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The state Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public information meeting for the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study on Thursday, March 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.    

The study is examining the potential benefits, costs, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from North Adams to Greenfield and Boston, with the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive option for travel along this corridor.   

At this meeting, the study team will share an overview of the study's background, review the study alternatives, outline issues and opportunities to consider, present draft recommended next steps and draft implementation plan, and garner feedback. The meeting materials will also be available after the meeting on the study website.  

The meeting information, including the registration link, are currently available on the study website under "Upcoming Events." Once registered, individuals will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with information about joining the webinar.   

Sign up to receive updates on the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study here. More information here.   

Local Chef, North Adams Police Team Up to Deliver Thanksgiving Meals

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Det. Stephanie Mirante and Chris Bonnivier go over their list of addresses. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Three dozen local families will be feasting this Thanksgiving thanks to a local chef with some help from the Police Department.

 

Chris Bonnivier said he and his wife, Linda, have been providing 20 to 25 residents in tough financial circumstance with the ingredients for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for a dozen years — doing the shopping, packing and delivery. 

 

"We got to the point, we have grandchildren now," he said. "We want to help. We're doing this by the grace of God, I'm a true believer, that we've been blessed and we're doing this on our own with his help." 

 

But the effort had become wearing ... until a few more hands volunteered to help. 

 

On Tuesday, Police Chief Mark Bailey and others gathered at 23 Eagle St. to pack bags with turkey and all the fixings. 

 

It started with a call to MaryAnn King, a dispatcher, about the annual public safety toy drive. Members of the Police and Fire Departments and Northern Berkshire EMS do a toy drive at Walmart then wrap and deliver hundreds of presents.

 

King's been leading that effort for years and last year provided to toys to nearly 200 children. She'd contacted Bonnivier about matching some funds for a pallet of toys; Bonnivier responded by donating the total cost of the pallet and asking for helping hands in return.