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Local artists with strong ties to North Adams were invited to apply, and ten were selected through a competitive process. (Photos Provided)
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North Adams Transforms Downtown Electrical Boxes into Public Art

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Ten electrical boxes throughout downtown North Adams have been transformed into vibrant works of public art as part of a new citywide beautification project. 
 
The initiative, led by the city's Cultural District Committee, Public Arts Commission, City Councilor Andrew Fitch, and Mayor Jennifer Macksey, was completed in October 2024 after months of planning.
 
Local artists with strong ties to North Adams were invited to apply, and ten were selected through a competitive process. The artists were chosen and approved by the Cultural District Committee in August of this year. Although the artists were able to propose unique designs, they were chosen by members of the Cultural District Committee with final approval coming from the Mayor herself. Some of the qualifications included; appropriateness for all audiences, quality of art, and strength of the artists' connection to North Adams, among other categories. 
 
The project was officially unveiled during October's First Friday celebration.
 
"We have had another successful collaboration in the arts community. This project emphasizes the individual artist's sense of expression and the beautiful city they thrive within. I am beyond ecstatic with the outcome and hope everyone can go out with their families and enjoy the art," said Mayor Macksey.
 
The decorated electrical boxes can be found at the following locations:
  • River & Marshall Streets (Sunshine Park) – Misa Chappell
  • Eagle & Main Streets – Zoë Marguerite Villane
  • Marshall St. & St. Anthony Drive at MASS MoCA – Lucas Craze
  • American Legion & Ashland Streets – Justin Timoney
  • Eagle & Veteran's Drive near St. Joe #1 – Mark Jackson
  • Eagle & Veteran's Drive near St. Joe #2 – Maximilian Poirot
  • Main & Ashland Streets – Melissa Mendes
  • Center & Holden Streets – Keith Bona
  • Main & State Streets at Hotel Downstreet – Ivy Gifford-Blasi
  • River & Eagle Streets – United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
This marks the third consecutive year the city has undertaken a large-scale public art project, following last year's storefront banner initiative. The effort reflects an ongoing commitment to enhancing North Adams' downtown experience for both residents and visitors, stated a press release.
 
"The art our community members have added to our downtown electrical boxes is beautiful, uplifting, and a true gift to our city. I can’t imagine I only speak for myself when I say that I am grateful for these artists and the countless hours of work they put into the project," Fitch added. "The positive effects of their work will be seen, felt, and cherished for a long time."

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North Adams Committee Rejects Changes to Airport Commission Ordinance

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The General Government Committee is recommending the City Council reject a proposal for council approval of appointments to the Airport Commission.
 
The question had been raised after an appointment to the commission by Mayor Jennifer Macksey had come under fire at a council meeting. Macksey had withdrawn his name and appointed him without council approval, as laid out in the city charter. Prior to that, she had put forward all appointments to boards and committees for confirmation.
 
The 2-1 vote, with committee member Ashley Shade voting nay, came after a sometimes testy debate on Tuesday over whether the current language aligns with state and federal laws. 
 
The committee also recommended, again with Shade voting no, to not amend the ordinance to prohibit anyone with business at the airport from serving on the commission. Attorney Joel Bard of KP Law, the city solicitor, said state laws were in place to deal with the conflicts of interest on the independent commission that Shade sought to deter. 
 
"There's a whole apparatus at the state level to enforce the conflict of interest law. That's not self-enforcing, so if there is a violation that's occurring, somebody needs to bring it to the attention of the staff of the State Ethics Commission," Bard said, attending via Zoom. "There's a large state bureaucracy that enforces that law."
 
Shade had put forward the language she said would bring the ordinance in line with MGL Chapter 90, Section 51E that states airport commissioners "shall be appointed, in cities, by the mayor with the approval of the city council, and in towns by the selectmen." 
 
"It's this MGL provision that allowed us to establish an airport commission. Airport commissions did not exist before the charter, because this provision is what allows us to even have an airport commission," she said. "We should be following this provision in MGL to the exact letter of the law, because it is what allows us to even formulate and have the Airport Commission to run and operate."
 
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