NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A search committee process has recommended three finalists, including the city's current top officer, to become the police chief for the city of North Adams.
Lt. Jason Wood, recently promoted as a permanent lieutenant, Wayland Det. Sgt. Jamie D. Berger and Ridgefield, Conn., Capt. Bryan N. Terzian will each have a chance to meet with community members next week.
The public meetings will be part of a series of interviews and meetings with each finalist. The meetings are intended as an opportunity for residents to hear from the candidates as well as to ask questions and share concerns about the city's public safety.
All three community forums will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 on the following dates:
Tuesday, March 26, The Green, 85 Main St.: Det. Sgt. Jamie D. Berger.
Wednesday, March 27, UNO Community Center: Lt. Jason R. Wood
Thursday, March 28, UNO Community Center: Capt. Bryan N. Terzian
Mayor Thomas Bernard said recently that the city had received about 40 applications for the position, which was advertised nationally. After a preliminary screening, he extended invitations to the three candidates to interview.
The selected candidate will be the city's first permanent police chief in nearly 40 years — excepting the few months that Michael Cozzaglio, who has continued in an interim capacity, finally had the title.
Cozzaglio retired in February after more than 32 years with the Police Department and the last 15 as police director, the position created under the city's former Public Safety structure. One of the last acts of the City Council in 2018 was to restore the titles of police and fire chief; it is currently reviewing updates to the public safety ordinances to reflect those changes.
"The police chief is one of the most visible leaders in the community, and it's important that members of our community have the opportunity to meet and hear from the individuals being considered for this important leadership position," Bernard said in a statement. "I look forward to introducing our finalists to the residents of North Adams as the members of the search committee and I continue to get to know them.
"I'm also incredibly grateful to the members of the search committee who volunteered their time to review applications and interview candidates. Their dedication and insight has been incredibly helpful in ensuring we have a strong group of candidates to consider."
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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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.
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.
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