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North Adams Joins Countywide Health AllianceBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
09:43PM / Tuesday, October 11, 2011
 NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday night unanimously authorized the city's admission into the countywide health alliance.
The city becomes one of 20 municipalities to sign on to the Berkshire Public Health Alliance, created to provide inspection services across borders.
Mayor Richard Alcombright said the collaboration was part of a general push toward regionalization by the state but at the same time would not compromise the city's autonomy.
"While this arrangement will certainly enhance our Health Department, it comes with no financial obligation to the city, assures that we have a voice in the processes, and allows us continued autonomy at the local level," said the mayor. In addition, it could put the city in line for grants and other benefits.
Councilors questioned the "no cost" obligation and how the city would be recompensed for services rendered.
"For the most part the city of North Adams will not be utilizing the services of this group, we will be offering services to this group," said Health Inspector Manuel Serrano. It was designed to provide smaller communities that have no need or can't afford a full-time inspection department to get services on a cost-per basis. It would also be a temporary back up for communities that have lost their health officer for whatever reason.
Serrano said a fee structure will be put in place by the collaborative's governing board. "The city of North Adams will be reimbursed any time we're used to help another community."
Catherine Chaput, a council candidate, expressed concern that an overwhelmed Health Department could not handle outside tasks. Serrano assured the council that "we would not jeopardize our own community for another community."
Among the services offered through the alliance are public nurses; inspections of health, camps, animals, pools; water testing; and public wellness programs.
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Assistant Director Tom Matuszko said 19 communities have approved the collaboration and couple others have expressed interest. Williamstown joined last month. The collaboration may also be extended to communities abutting the county to the east; Chester, for example, may join.
The mayor also informed the council he had "opted in" to the statewide mutual aid law. The law allows municipalities to opt-in for both public safety and public works. The new law will not override current mutual aid agreements but will allow the city to voluntarily offer or accept help from other communities, which could include actions such as sharing in the costs of expensive but little-used equipment. Nearly a third of the state's communities have opted-in.
In other business,
:: The council passed to a second reading redistricting within the city's five wards. Those voters affected will get a letter in January, when it goes into effect, advising them of the change.
:: The council set the election for Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 9 to 7. The last day to registere to vote is Wednesday, Oct. 19, and absentee ballots are available until noon on Monday, Nov. 7.
North Adams & Berkshire Public Health Alliance |
Tags: city council, health coalition,
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