Northern Berkshire United Way Fills Out Board of Directors

Amy Giroux, left, past president of NBUW, is given a plaque commemorating her servive by Christa Collier, executive director, and Jason Dohaney, incoming president.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire United Way has elected one new member and re-elected two to the organization's board of directors.

"Our board of directors consists of some of the smartest, philanthropic and most dedicated individuals in Northern Berkshire," said Northern Berkshire United Way President Jason Dohaney. "I thank the board for their commitment and look forward to working with the incoming members to maintain a strong and effective United Way that helps care for our community. I would also like to recognize outgoing board president, Amy Giroux, for her commitment and solid leadership during the past three years.”

Ellen Sutherland, assistant to the superintendent of North Adams Public Schools joins Northern Berkshire United Way's board of directors. She will serve a one year officer term as the vice president of Campaign.

In addition to Sutherland, organizational officers include: President, Jason Dohaney of MountainOne; First Vice President, attorney Theresa O'Bryant of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; VP Allocations, Tim Burdick of Adams Community Bank; VP Finance, Aaron Gordon of Williams College; VP Community Needs, Rich Weisenflue of BFAIR; VP Marketing, Maureen Baran of Adams Community Bank; and Past President Amy Giroux of Adams Community Bank, Past President. They were all re-elected to one year terms.

Lastly, the following members were re-elected with terms ending in 2020: James Brosnan, superintendent of the Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational School District, and Mike Hoffman, formerly of TD Bank.

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.