Macksey to Run for Third Term as Mayor

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer A. Macksey has pulled nomination papers for a third term as the mayor.
 
"Serving as mayor of North Adams has been the honor of my lifetime," she said in a statement. "Together, we've achieved remarkable progress, but our work is far from finished. I am eager to continue building on our successes and facing the challenges ahead."
 
Macksey said she wants to continue to advance North Adams, prioritizing improvements in infrastructure, public safety, and economic development.
 
She made history in 2021 as the first woman elected mayor in the city's 126 years and easily cruised to a second two-year term in 2023. 
 
Macksey touted a list of accomplishments over the past four years, including relocating to the Police Department to the Berkshire Plaza, which addressed longstanding issues at the outdated and inaccessible police station. She said leadership changes have "bolstered department morale and operational efficiency" although a permanent solution for the Police and Fire Departments continues.
 
Her administration secured $1.2 million from the state for damage recovery after the July 2022 storm and she says she has prioritized infrastructure improvements, including repairs to the Walnut Street retention wall, the Galvin Road culvert to prevent flooding, and the Brown Street bridge. 
 
A collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is underway to create a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program, Macksey said, and to establish an economic development advisory team to facilitate future growth.
 
Her administration has submitted grant applications totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, securing
more than  $27 million in awards for projects ranging from education, brownfield cleanup, and public safety to street improvements and cultural activities.
 
Among major projects is the construction of a new Greylock School, which has been approved by the Massachusetts School Building Authority; a $3 million study of Hoosic River flood control with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Hoosic River Revival; the $750,000 Route 2 overpass study; and the design of a new bike trail from Williamstown to Adams.
 
"My vision for North Adams is one of continued growth and prosperity," said Macksey. "We are focused on building a vibrant downtown, attracting new residents and businesses, and ensuring the infrastructure is in place to support future development. Together, we will continue to create a dynamic, thriving community."
 
She said she was committed to making the city "an even more extraordinary place to live and work, and together, we will build a brighter future."
 
Macksey will hold more formal events for re-election campaign in early summer.

Tags: election 2025,   mayor,   


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Federal Cuts Include North Adams Culvert Project

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Trump administration's cut $90 million in disaster prevention aid for the state including a culvert project on Galvin Road.
 
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program was providing funding to 18 communities, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. 
 
Engineering for the Galvin Road culvert was one of only two Berkshire projects being funded. The other was $81,720 to Hinsdale to power a public safety building.
 
The two largest disbursements were $50 million to Chelsea and Everett for flood resilience that was approved during Trump's first term, and $12 million to DCR for a waterfront project in Boston. 
 
Many of these endeavors have been years in the making and the funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency has already been appropriated. 
 
The governor's office said cities and towns have moved forward with expensive permitting applications and engineering and design plans because of FEMA's identification of their project as a future recipient of federal BRIC funds. 

"In recent years, Massachusetts communities have been devastated by severe storms, flooding and wildfires. We rely on FEMA funding to not only rebuild but also take steps to protect against future extreme weather," said Gov. Maura Healey.

"But the Trump administration has suddenly ripped the rug out from under cities and towns that had been promised funding to help them upgrade their roads, bridges, buildings and green spaces to mitigate risk and prevent disasters in the future. This makes our communities less safe and will increase costs for residents, municipalities and businesses."

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal noted the difficult flooding and wildfires the state has had to deal and said the funds would have provided assistance to at-risk communities. 

"The BRIC program was established by Congress in 2018, during the first Trump administration, to reduce the hazard risk of communities confronting natural disasters," said the congressman.
 
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