NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams Police advise residents to be aware of intruding coyotes in their neighborhoods.
The North Adams Police reported that they are aware of recent coyote sightings in the city and urge residents to secure their garbage and refrain from feeding them.
iBerkshires.com received an email from a resident reporting two coyote sightings in the Franklin Court and Bridge Street area. He wrote that a coyote attacked his cat. He was able to drive the wild animals off with a loud noise but wanted to spread caution for other residents on the dangers they can pose.
He added that he saw the coyotes around sunrise. He noted that they did seem aggressive and were rather large.
Coyotes will prey on small animals attracted by the bird seed from bird feeders. Those who own a bird feeder should clean up spilled seed daily and get rid of the feeder immediately if coyotes are seen around their yard.
Contrary to popular belief, coyotes are not animals that exclusively live off of areas that are uninhabited by humans, such as forests and mountains. They can dwell in suburban and urban areas and have been known to rummage through garbage, attack pets and even attack humans.
The state has a whole section of its website dedicated to coyotes here.
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my cat did not lose his life that day,or his eye because he fought back and against two coyotes,this all happened in four minutes, i was in my slippers bringing out the trash to my locked enclosed shed and all heck broke out, i know i live among wild animals but because of his fortitude i had time to grab my collins and get in a wallop or two,in slippers they tried to bite but i was way faster,thank you greylock animal, oh, the coyotes ran, not my cat.
NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.
The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.
"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."
Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.
Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.
The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.
Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.
Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.
The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.
The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.
"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."
Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.
"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."
He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.
"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."
The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office. click for more
That was the list of grievances that current and former tenants of the North Adams Housing Authority's high rise laid before the City Council on Tuesday.
click for more
City officials want to know if the attorney general will defend them if they refuse to abide by certain provisions in a federal grant for the Police Department. click for more
