Bashevkin Receives Commissioners Leadership Award

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Al Bashevkin, executive director of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, was presented with the 2015 Commissioners Leadership Award at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s annual Ounce of Prevention Conference held April 7 in Worcester.  

The Commissioner's Leadership Award recognizes exceptional leadership in promoting healthier and more equitable communities and in convening partners to advance this work. It acknowledges and celebrates the extraordinary work of an individual in convening multiple partners to work together for healthier communities. Bashevkin has demonstrated long-term commitment towards improvement of community health and through this award, is recognized for his nearly three decade leadership of the coalition and commitment to improving the quality of life of those in northern Berkshire County.

In presenting the award, Department of Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel said Bashevkin has led efforts to bring and retain many resources to Berkshire County.

"The many programs Al has introduced and sustained are diverse and far reaching across the community," she said. "He has demonstrated long term commitment to community and to improving health, and through this award he is recognized for nearly three decades of leadership of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and his dedication toward improving the health of those in Northern Berkshire County."



Under Bashevkin’s leadership, the Coalition has created innovative and effective initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods and community, prevent alcohol and substance abuse, cultivate public health, foster economic development, mitigate poverty, support youth development, and build bridges between residents and service agencies. Many of the region's institutions address these challenges as a result of Bashevkin's and nbCC's grassroots efforts.

The timing for Bashevkin's recognition is apt as he prepares to leave his role at nbCC this spring.

The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire County, Massachusetts by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community. It places particular emphasis on strengthening neighborhoods and community life; preventing alcohol/substance abuse; fostering economic development; mitigating poverty; supporting positive youth development and building bridges between residents and service agencies. For more information, visit www.nbccoalition.org.

 


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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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