Letter: Sweeney for North Adams City Council

To the Editor:

I feel a sense of obligation and duty to bring a unique voice to the City Council chambers. I represent a younger demographic, which my work throughout North Adams and the surrounding towns has led me to connect and work with closely. I aim to connect those voices to our local government, as well as serve, and advocate for all residents who share my passion for North Adams.

Upon relocating here to attend MCLA in 2007, I immediately felt a calling to dive deeply into the community and embrace the incredible sense of growth that has been emerging here. I've been proud to contribute to this growth in the 12 years I've lived here. My path started with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (NBCC) where I organized UNITY Youth Programs and the Northern Berkshire Neighbors program. This work inspired me to found Roots Teen Center, where I served as executive director for close to three years. Recently my focus has been on furthering the growth of Common Folk Artist Collective, a project I've been working on since 2011. The collective provides a platform for local and emerging artists to grow and thrive in their creative work. I have also found myself a seat on the board of NBCC as my passion for the organization has not fizzled.

As a City Council member, I will focus my energy on supporting grassroots initiatives, community impact models, youth, and creative community development. I will also support downtown development and exploring opportunities for grassroots economic development.

Jessica Sweeney
North Adams, Mass.

North Adams License Board OKs New Italian Restaurant

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:47PM / Wednesday, March 18, 2026

The inside of the Mohawk, which is being revamped as a lounge to go with the new Italian restaurant in the former Grazie. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — David Moresi has a vision to bring a bit of the North End to North Adams.

 

He explained his plans to the License Commission on Tuesday as he applied for an all-alcohol license for Zio Roberto Ristorante and Taverna, which is expected to open in late May. 

 

The Mohawk bar and the former Grazie restaurant space in the Mulcare Building, which Moresi owns, will operate as a single entity — one side as a lounge, and the other as a full-service restaurant. 

 

"We're still going to call it the Mohawk. I mean, let me be clear from the start, in no way am I looking to operate a bar operation here," he said of the Mohawk. "There's no we've gone through the entire place. There's no jukebox, there's no pool table. We're really looking to create something very unique here, which basically is lacking in the area."

 

He has been describing the lounge as an Italian "speakeasy," or a private club open to the public — a space with overstuffed chairs and Chesterfield couches with an Italian theme. The focus will be on small plates, appetizers, craft cocktails, wines and bottled beer. 

 

"Then with the restaurant itself, we're really excited about this," Moresi said. "Obviously, I have the team here of both Nick [Moulton] and Pete [Belmonte], and we're just looking to do authentic Italian cuisine at this establishment. 

 

"As far as alcohol operations, bar operations, we still have the bar in the restaurant space, which also is a very popular spot for people to get a meal, appetizer and eat and socialize, so full bar service there."