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North Adams kicked off the holiday season with the annual tree lighting on Wednesday. See more photos here.
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North Adams Officially Begins The Holidays

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents flocked to Main Street during the annual tree lighting to gear up for the holiday season.

After city workers finished stringing up necessary lights and standing up the two 30-foot-tall trees that bookend Main Street, the time was finally right to light everything up Wednesday.

Mayor Richard Alcombright led the city into the holidays.

"So we are all here tonight to light up the city, and I was just told that Santa is in the city, but we need to let him know where we are," the mayor said, as the crowd shouted.

And he did come, lead by the Drury band and on the back of the city's antique fire truck bearing gifts for the sea of children that engulfed his motorized "sleigh."

Before the countdown commenced, Alcombright asked for a moment of silence and asked residents to reflect on those in the world who may not know the peace and comfort enjoyed in North Adams and those who protect the city from atrocities inflected elsewhere.

"I would like to begin with a moment of silence and reflection as we remember with sincere reverence the so many people around the world who are victims of senseless violence," he said. "Also to reflect with deep respect and deep admiration we think of military, our police, our fire, our EMS and all who surround and protect us every day."

He along with events director Suzy Helme thanked all of those involved in the tree lighting, including Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals for donating the tree near City Hall and Norm and Ann Martin of Adams who donated the tree near the monument in memory of Max Fiske.

After obligatory hot chocolate and merriness, the Mayor wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving and happy holidays.

"On this Thanksgiving Eve please know that I am very thankful for my wonderful family, I am thankful for my abundance of friends, and I am most thankful for being part of this greater community," he said. "Happy Thanksgiving and happy holidays."


Tags: holiday story,   tree lighting,   

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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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