Adams Community Bank Celebrates Staff

ADAMS, Mass. — Adams Community Bank recently hosted its annual Retirement and Service Award Celebration at Zucchini's Restaurant in Pittsfield.  

It was a special evening honoring staff members who have reached important service milestones in their careers.

Donna Tatro has dedicated the last 27 years to her customers in the Williamstown branch and is preparing for retirement.

"I look back on my career fondly and have built many long lasting relationships. I will miss my customers and coworkers but look forward to enjoying my retirement," she said. "I've especially enjoyed visiting with customers, and their pets, while taking care of their banking needs at the drive-through window."

The staff said it shares the sentiment that it is bittersweet to say farewell, but wishes Donna all the best in retirement.

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.