Congressional Delegation Asks for Swift Return of NARH Services

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The region's congressional delegation, U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, have asked the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services to expedite licensing to restore emergency and hospice services to Northern Berkshire.

Berkshire Health System, which operates Berkshire Medical Center, has submitted applications to CMS to allow it to restore emergency and hospice services at the NARH facility.

Earlier this week, the state Department of Public Health approved the licensure to operate emergency and hospice services at the former NARH facility.

The letter to Administrator Marilyn Tavenner asks for her aid in retaining medical services at North Adams Regional Hospital.

"Given the importance of this facility to the Northern Berkshire community, we ask that you do all that you can to expedite the application process for BHS. BHS is a successful Medicare provider and the NARH facility was operational as a Medicare provider just last week."

The letter can be read in PDF form here.

Northern Berkshire United Way: War and Peace

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
09:38PM / Saturday, February 28, 2026

Northern Berkshire United Way is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Each month, we will take a look back at the agency's milestones over the decades. This first part looks at its successes and challenges during the war years.

 

The Community Chest started the decade on the upswing but ended with a decline in fundraising. A bright spot was its establishment of new agencies to help the citizens of North Adams and Clarksburg. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Community Chest ended its first decade on an upswing, even as the clouds were darkening over Europe.

 

But what goes up, must eventually come down. 

 

The 1940 campaign drive again set a goal of $39,600 and volunteers toted up $23,000 at the first meeting.

 

James Hunter Machine was the first to attain 100 percent enrollment with annual gift of $6.13 per person for a total of $1,275. Some 200 businesses and organizations hit their red feather level of 100 percent, including all of the schools as well as State Teachers College. 

 

The litany of businesses and organizations included long-gone establishments such as Simmons Funeral Home, Spofford Motors, McCann Ice Cream Co., C.H. Cutting, West End Market, Apothecary Hall, Florini's Italian Garden, and Pizzi's, along with still existing enterprises like Whitney's Beverage Shop, Cascade Paper and Mount Williams Greenhouse.

 

The now annual dinner was served by the Ladies Aid Society of First Congregational at the YMCA, and attendees were entertained by singers from the Advent Christian Church, directed by the Rev. Martin Ball and accompanied by his wife on the piano. "Assisting in useful capacities" were YMCA junior members Howard Goodermote, Roy Modlinger, Fred Myers, Norman Remillard, George Grenier, Wallace Konopka and Anthony Pessolano.