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North Adams Panel Hears Comments on 'Safe Community' Resolution

Chairman Eric Buddington speaks with attendees at Thursday's meeting.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City councilors are expected vote on a refined resolution in February declaring the city a safe and welcoming community after taking more feedback from residents.

The resolution was introduced in December by City Councilors Nancy Bullett and President Benjamin Lamb but ran into some concerns over language and intent. A second pass at the resolution was referred to the Community Development Committee for more public input. Lamb sent another more streamlined revision to the committee through Bullett as he was unable to attend.

The response at meetings has been generally favorable, although there have been worries over specific language and what it might lock the city into — or cost it in federal funds. And while there has been opposition, a number of the nearly two dozen residents at Thursday's committee meeting stood in support of the statement.

"I do worry about federally pushed mandates that challenge our moral compass, undermine our very constitution, and force us as a commonwealth and a city to make tough decisions that may hurt financially should we stand by our principles," said Tara Jacobs, a member of the School Committee. "I hope that we, too, have the fortitude and fiber to stand strong in the belief in what is right in the face of what will financially be tested."

But she cautioned, the resolution can't exist without solutions. "I feel that without an action plan these will be nice words," Jacobs said.

Resident Michael DiLego also questioned the need and the how of the resolution, what it would actually accomplish.

"Once someone has learned hatred it's very hard to reverse that," he said. "How do we protect the people this resolution is designed to protect after the resolution goes into effect if we can't do it now?"  

The community should be looking at ways to reach people, he continued, and getting the message out.

Bullett, a member of the Community Development Committee, explained that the resolution was about recognizing the increasing diversity of the community and welcoming in new residents drawn by the colleges, the museums and other reasons.

"As that community gets bigger and different it's important, you're absolutely right, you have to reach the younger children first," she said to Dilego. "If we can make a difference in one person's life, and pay it forward to 10 more, think of what we can do."

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.