North Adams Airport Construction Winding Down

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Contractors making renovations to the airport will shut work down for the winter.

Nick Ippolito of Gale Associates, the engineering firm representing the airport during renovations, told the airport commissioners on Tuesday that by next meeting, they will have to vote on the contractors request to shut down construction until spring.

He said contractors still have to apply markings, take aerial photos, and properly seal new paving.

Phase 2 of the airport's apron project should also begin in the spring.

Airport Manager Willard Greenwald said all the planes that were displaced from the hangers are back where they belong as construction winds down.

"The planes that were out on the ramp making us look really busy are now back in the hangers so it looks a little lonely out there, but it is good to know everyone is back where they belong," he said.

Mark Candiloro of Turbo-Prop said Maxymillian and Lane Construction have been very accommodating.

"They worked with us when they were working in front of our hangers and we appreciate how they worked around us so we could continue to do things," Candiloro said.

Greenwald agreed and said the companies had slightly damaged two hangers and are prepared to cover any damages.

Ippolito added that substandard grading work that the commission asked to be redone last meeting has been brought up to the contract standards.

Candiloro showed concern over a pothole that was developing at the airport's main entrance.

"It really shouldn’t be there unless all of those construction trucks were running back and forth over it," he said.

Ippolito said if a preconstruction survey was conducted and he can look to see if the construction trucks caused the damage, however, Commissioner Trevor Gilman said the city plans to patch it next time it has a truck in the area.  

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.