North Adams Committee Taking Up 'Safe Community' Resolution

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Community Development Committee will take up a resolution designating the city as a "Safe and Inclusive Community" this Thursday at 6 p.m.

The resolution was introduced in December by City Councilors Nancy Bullett and President Benjamin Lamb but ran into some controversy over language — and over its necessity.

Some councilors balked at language that included a reference to actions by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio — which both Bullett and Lamb agreed should be cut — and references to the rejection of federal and state policies.

Bullett reintroduced the trimmed down resolution (posted below) that still contained a section noting that "fellow leaders in public service in Massachusetts have also promised to reject new policies built on unjust discrimination of individual communities at the State and local levels."

Some councilors and residents were concerned that that reference in particular could cause problems down the line — possibly forcing the city to take specific stances on issues or putting it in conflict with state and federal authorities. Others raised the potential of losing governmental monies and support or questioned the need for such a resolution.

"Safe & Inclusive Resolution": Amended by iBerkshires.com on Scribd

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.