North Adams Kicks Off Annual Fireworks Donation Drive

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city of North Adams is calling on local businesses and members of the community to help support this year’s fireworks display, which is again scheduled to take place at Noel Filed Athletic Complex after the SteepleCats’ home game on Monday, July 4.

The show in North Adams is one of the largest in Berkshire County, drawing thousands of viewers from the capital region of New York State, southern Vermont and all of Berkshire County.

“Fireworks are a quintessential part of this nation and our community’s 4th of July traditions. They are exciting, inspiring and also pretty expensive,” said Suzy Helme, the city of North Adams’ director of Community Events. “The city can’t do it alone. We are grateful for our generous community partners that pitch in each year. Every donation, regardless of size, is integral to keeping this tradition alive. Every little bit helps.”

The following are the sponsorship levels for the year:

Patriot Sponsor                         $100 and under

Firecracker Sponsor                 $250

All-American Sponsor              $500

Roman Candle Sponsor           $1,000

Grand Finale Sponsor              $2,500
 

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.