Letter: Bond Has Knowledge, Experience for Mayor

To the Editor:

I write this letter asking residents of North Adams to join me in electing Lynette Bond for mayor on Nov. 2.

Believe me when I say that this was a tough decision, as I know both candidates, both with different but relevant backgrounds. For me, though, I find Lynette Bond to be the superior choice.

Lynette has experience in large municipal projects, such as the work she did in Adams securing and managing grant-funded projects that reshaped their downtown. She is director of grants and research at MCLA, where she has developed critical skills in grant writing and management which she will bring to the role of mayor. And during her eight years as a member of the North Adams Planning Board, she has played an important role in the economic growth
of our city.

We have been experiencing much-needed growth in recent years. Some may not like seeing another Cumberland Farms, but it provides important additional revenue for the city which this year could amount to over $300,000 -- $300,000 that resident taxpayers now don't need to come up with. Other major plans and approvals of the Planning Board, such as two in the Hardman Park and properties sold to Moresi Associates, increased the value of these properties and will provide strong net gains in revenue year over year.

Lynette has had a very impressive professional career with many achievements, and that isn't even including her considerable volunteer work, such as leading the charge for the rehabilitation of Colegrove Park School and dedicating so much time to youth sports. She is someone who commits to her jobs, employers, and community wholeheartedly.

I have 100 percent faith in Lynette's experience, knowledge, dedication and love for this great city that we call home. So I ask again that you please join me in voting for Lynette Bond for mayor of North Adams on Nov. 2.

Peter J Oleskiewicz
North Adams, Mass.

Peter Oleskiewicz is a North Adams
city councilor.

North Adams Hopes to Transform Y Into Community Recreation Center

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:19AM / Thursday, May 02, 2024

Mayor Jennifer Macksey updates members of the former YMCA on the status of the roof project and plans for reopening. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city has plans to keep the former YMCA as a community center.

 

"The city of North Adams is very committed to having a recreation center not only for our youth but our young at heart," Mayor Jennifer Macksey said to the applause of some 50 or more YMCA members on Wednesday. "So we are really working hard and making sure we can have all those touch points."

 

The fate of the facility attached to Brayton School has been in limbo since the closure of the pool last year because of structural issues and the departure of the Berkshire Family YMCA in March.

 

The mayor said the city will run some programming over the summer until an operator can be found to take over the facility. It will also need a new name. 

 

"The YMCA, as you know, has departed from our facilities and will not return to our facility in the form that we had," she said to the crowd in Council Chambers. "And that's been mostly a decision on their part. The city of North Adams wanted to really keep our relationship with the Y, certainly, but they wanted to be a Y without borders, and we're going a different direction."

 

The pool was closed in March 2023 after the roof failed a structural inspection. Kyle Lamb, owner of Geary Builders, the contractor on the roof project, said the condition of the laminated beams was far worse than expected. 

 

"When we first went into the Y to do an inspection, we certainly found a lot more than we anticipated. The beams were actually rotted themselves on the bottom where they have to sit on the walls structurally," he said. "The beams actually, from the weight of snow and other things, actually crushed themselves eight to 11 inches. They were actually falling apart. ...