NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority used CARES Act funding to replace out of service fire hydrants at the Greylock Apartments.
Housing Authority Director Jennifer Hohn said the topic came up at a recent board of commissioners meeting when Chairman Colin Todd, who works for the city's Water Department, noted that the hydrants at the Greylock Apartments in the West End were not in optimal condition.
"I was shocked. This was the first I have heard this," Hohn said in an email exchange. "I assumed that when hydrants are no longer working, they are replaced as soon as possible. I panicked, thinking that the health and safety of our residents were at stake. Additionally, the lives of our firefighters were at risk if, God forbid, there were a major fire and no source of water immediately available to hookup to."
Hohn said four of the five hydrants at the Greylock Apartments were out of service and one was on its "last leg."
The city is only able to replace so many hydrants at a time so she tapped the authority's federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act money to purchase five hydrants. She said the total expenditure was $10,176.85
"NAHA is 100 percent federally funded by HUD," she said. "As a result, this will alleviate the city of some financial burden during difficult times when collaborating resources is so vital for the city and NAHA."
Hohn said the hydrants were installed in late December.
"The health and safety of our residents have always been, and will always be our number one priority," she said.
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Neal Secures $700,000 for North Adams Flood Chutes Project
Mayor Jennifer Macksey at last August's signing of an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal has secured $700,000 in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' budget to complete a feasibility study of the Hoosic River flood chutes.
The Corps of Engineers is in the midst of a three-year, $3 million study of the aging concrete flood chutes that control the passage of the river through the city.
North Adams has ponied up $500,000 as part of its share of the study and another $1.5 million is expected to come from state and federal coffers. Neal previously secured $200,000 in the fiscal 2023 omnibus spending package to begin the feasibility study.
The additional funding secured by Neal will allow for the completion of the study, required before the project can move on to the next phase.
Neal celebrated it as a significant step in bringing the flood chutes project to fruition, which he said came after several months of communication with the Corps.
"The residents of North Adams have long advocated for much needed improvements to the city's decades-old flood chutes. This announcement is a substantial victory for the city, one that reaffirms the federal government's commitment to making this project a reality," said the congressman. "As a former mayor, I know firsthand the importance of these issues, especially when it comes to the safety and well-being of residents.
"That is why I have prioritized funding for this project, one that will not only enhance protections along the Hoosic River Basin and reduce flood risk, but also make much critical improvements to the city's infrastructure and create jobs."
But not enough for Finance Committee member Andrew Fitch, who voted against the compensation and classification plan because it did not include a city planner.
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The Corps of Engineers is in the midst of a three-year, $3 million study of the aging concrete flood chutes that control the passage of the river through the city.
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This weekend, the Berkshires and surrounding areas will have a variety of events, including concerts, comedy, farmers' markets, and more.
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The License Board on Tuesday approved two license transfers including one for V&V and a license for a restaurant in the former BrewHaHa on West Main Street.
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Board Chair Peter Mirante thanked the sponsors of the breakfast event at the Berkshire Hills Country Club, including his employer, Adams Community Bank, for allowing him to attend the nonprofit's many events and functions and encouraging his involvement. click for more