CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday voted to suspend police operations in the town of 1,700 at the end of shift on Friday.
That's when Police Chief Michael Williams will retire after 40 years on the force, the last 21 as chief.
Officials have been debating for weeks about the future of the Police Department, which has declined at this point to Williams and a single part-time officer.
"I think we have to transition to State Police," said board member Colton Andrews.
Fellow member Daniel Haskins agreed: "I don't see any alternatives at the moment."
Officials had researched several options: hire a new chief, contract with North Adams, or depend on State Police, as do a number of other small towns.
"North Adams was not feasible," said Chair Robert Norcross.
The board members felt the figures they were quoted for coverage were too onerous. But they also discussed whether the town would support a chief and possibly a full-time officer.
They advertised for a police chief and over the last several weeks interviewed three candidates — an officer from Deerfield, the part-time chief in the town of Washington and the town's only officer.
The Deerfield and Washington candidates were felt to be too far away and neither indicated they would relocate. The part-time officer fell short of qualifications — he would need 2,400 hours of training or on-the-job experience to be certified under the state's new regulations.
That left the board with little choice but to transition to State Police coverage, at least for now.
Williams said the town's been relying on the State Police for the weekends while the part-time officer averages about five hours a week.
On Monday, the board asked Williams if he'd stay on part time as an administrative chief — able to process firearms permits — and continue as emergency management director.
He agreed pending an agreement on salary and hours. What he didn't think he could do as a paper chief is supervise an officer when board members raised that idea.
"The [administrative] police chief is basically a civilian role," he said.
He would not be able to accept a part-time post until after Oct. 15; the emergency management director is a volunteer position.
The board spent some time going over the chief's duties, how those gaps could be filled and the securing of existing police materials. Williams said he and Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau had been looking into aspects such as elections, which now require a police presence. One option could be appointing a constable for the purpose.
The police chief's last official action may be escorting Pvt. First Class Erwin King, whose body is being returned to the Berkshires 82 years after he was killed in combat at Guadalcanal. The procession is expected to stop at Town Hall for a wreath-laying ceremony at about 3 p.m. before heading Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home.
In other business:
• Norcross reported that about 10 people attended the digital equity information session on Saturday and spent about an hour and half discussing internet needs and setting priorities.
• Town Administrator Carl McKinney told the board National Grid would not take down the large pine near the library. A tree fell on the building earlier this year and officials are concerned the pine may also cause damage. Its removal may have to go out to bid.
National Grid is switching out all the streetlights to 25-watt LED bulbs, McKinney said. "We are going to save several thousand dollars on our electric bill."
• A Department of Public Works post is still open. Town meeting authorized adding a fourth person this May. McKinney said he is going back through applicants but the job may have to advertised again.
• The board voted to end COVID-19 sick time. The time had been counted outside of personal/sick time during the pandemic to prevent the virus's spread. But Haskins noted that the state had eliminated this extra sick time more than two years ago.
• Norcross questioned a house being disconnected from the sewer system and North Adams not being informed. McKinney said a permit is required to disconnect and that the highway foreman has to witness it. An updated list is sent to the city each year but the board asked that any disconnection be immediately forwarded.
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4-Year-Old Child Dies in North Adams Duplex Fire
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Firefighters battled a late-night structure fire Tuesday that left two people seriously injured and one 4-year-old child dead.
According to the District Attorney's Office and local and state fire officials, the structure fire occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. at a duplex located on West Shaft Road. The North Adams Fire Department responded to the fire in the two-story, two-family home.
A video by a passing motorists shows the home fully engulfed in flames.
Upon arrival, five occupants were outside, including an adult and minor with serious injuries. Firefighters were informed that one resident was unaccounted for; that person, a 4-year-old, was located deceased inside.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a formal identification procedure and determine the cause and manner of death.
"On behalf of the North Adams Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family that lost a loved one and their home," said Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre. "This is a terrible loss for them and our community."
All the occupants were transported to North Adams Regional Hospital. The two people who sustained serious injuries were flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Two members of the family, an adult and a minor, sustained serious injuries; two members of the family, an adult and a minor, sustained minor injuries; and one four-year old child died inside the residence. click for more
Mayor Jennifer Macksey had hoped to gain immediate approval on the purchase-and-sale agreement with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation but councilors balked at approving a document they'd had for only a few days.
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Moresi & Associates is moving forward with housing in the former Notre Dame School and the Williamstown Theatre Festival is planning performances in North Adams.
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Dr. Roger Landry served his country from 1973 to 1995 in the Air Force with honor and distinction as a chief flight surgeon, and retiring as a colonel.
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The long-awaited Steeple City Social is in "soft open" mode at the moment. Last weekend, Meghan Daly and Andrew Fitch opened the doors for people to see the new spot and try some of their items.
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