North Adams Fire Department Delivers Turkey Donation

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Local firefighters not only fight fires, but hunger, too.

The North Adams Firefighters Local 1781 donated 20 turkeys to the Salvation Army on Monday afternoon to help those struggling to feed their families this holiday season.

Salvation Army Captain Katherine Corno said she received a call from the Fire Department asking if her organization would be interested in 20 turkeys.

Corno said with the closing of the hospital, the extra turkeys came at just the right moment.  

"The phone has ringing nonstop," Corno said. "This year, there is larger spike in families in need of aid and grandparents raising their grandchildren. There is no discrimination in needs, and we do the best we can do with what we have."

Firefighter Michael Goodson said the department usually tries to do something every year for the community. He said this year, firefighters decided to do a little extra because more people need help.

"This year we wanted to do a little something extra because there are a lot of people out there in need," Goodson said. "There are a lot of people out there that are having hard times. A lot of people don't have jobs and have to worry about Christmas, the holidays, and food so this is our way of giving back."

Fire Director Stephen Meranti said the local fire department tries to do more than just fighting fires.

"This shows these guys really do care about the community," Meranti said. "It goes beyond just fighting fires."

Corno said the turkeys will be handed out Tuesday through the pantry program. She said there are also hams available when the turkeys run out.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.