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New Library Director Sarah Sanfilippo, center, attends her first trustees meeting on Wednesday.

New North Adams Librarian Holds First Meeting

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The library trustees welcomed new Library Director Sarah Sanfilippo last week.
 
Sanfilippo, the former director of the library at Southern Vermont College in Bennington, gave her first director's report Wednesday.
 
"I would like to officially welcome Sarah ... Sarah has started a week and a half ago and by all accounts, things are going swimmingly," Chairman Rich Remsberg said.
 
Sanfilippo was hired in April to replace retiring director Mindy Hackner. Sanfilippo started April 29 and Hackner agreed to stay on until the end of May to help with the transition. 
 
Sanfilippo said she has been busy getting to know the library.
 
"Since I have only been here a week and a half my report is rather short," she said. "We had a cleaning day on my second day and it was good for me because I got to see where all the parts of the collection were."
 
Sanfilippo said she did move her office back into the cafe, where the director's office was before. 
 
She said she is still getting to know the patrons.
 
"I have been seeing a lot of faces if not meeting people officially," she said.
 
Hackner said she has been working with Sanfilippo and has been impressed.
 
"I want to congratulate the board because I think you made a very wise decision," Hackner said. "She has hit the ground running and will do exactly what you need her to do."
 
Sanfilippo thanked Hackner.
 
"I know I have a lot to live up to,"  she said.

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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."

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