NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Three of the four mayoral candidates running in the preliminary election on Tuesday offered their positions on questions ranging from economic development to the opioid crisis at a forum Thursday held in the renovated Weave Shed at Greylock Works. 

 

Thomas Bernard, Rachel Branch and Robert Moulton Jr. each stated how they could make a difference in the corner office. Bernard pointed to his years in nonprofits and academia working with government officials; Moulton highlighted his role as a business owner and city councilor, as well as working with the nonprofit North Adams Ambulance; Branch, a member of the McCann School Committee, described herself as a "community street fighter" with an extensive experience in public and community service.

 

Robert Martelle, who did not respond in time to fully participate, spoke at the end about the need for jobs, addressing the heroin epidemic and the problems some residents have in dealing with the state Department of Children and Families. 

 

The forum was held by the Department of History, Political Science and Public Policy at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. Greylock Works hosted the event and it was catered by Meng's Pan Asian Cuisine. The chamber members were invited to meet the candidates prior to the forum, which was open to the public.

 

The questions were provided in advance to the candidates who responded to the forum invitation and were asked by students in professor Samantha Pettey's state and local politics class.

 

David Leonard, Mackenzie McCarthy, Isaac Stewart, Charlie Weissfellner and Sam Broderick asked questions or kept the time: Darnell Henriquez and Justin Therrien were the ushers. 

 

The order was randomly drawn with Bernard going first, and then Moulton and Branch; each was given 3 minutes to answer each question and allowed two-minute opening and closing statements.

 

All three candidates largely agreed on the broader issues: support for educational needs, economic development,  addressing the opioid crisis, affordable health care and taking into account those being left behind as the city grows. Their differences were largely in the details and the subjects they were most passionate about. 

 

Not surprisingly, one of the questions was about the role of the college; all three stated that the college played a vital role in the community and that more ways should be found to integrate students into the life of the city. 

 

In terms of job development and accommodating growth, Bernard said North Adams is becoming attractive for homebuyers because of its many amenities, but it will take a strong education system and jobs to keep them here. When people are looking at real estate websites, it was important that they show North Adams has a "strong and vibrant school system," he said.

 

He said he would work with the superintendent of schools to narrow the achievement gap in North Adams and would support McCann Technical School and Berkshire Arts & Techonology Public Charter School in Adams. Ensuring access to health care and determining the appropriate need in this area were also critical, he said. 

 

"There's a softer message that is important," Bernard said, which was raised at last week's Northern Berkshire Community Coalition meeting. "Community identity ... who are we and who do we want to be as a community ... and the thing that's going to have people stay is a community, a sense of belonging. It's strong neighborhoods, it's strong efforts to bring people together ... it's the things that get people excited about the city as a whole."

 

Moulton agreed that there were a number of factors, such as the museums and colleges, that bring people to North Adams. The house next to his was sold sight unseen to a couple from Arizona, he said. 

 

"What are we doing to keep people here?" he said. The city has its blighted areas but there was, he continued, a tendency for longtime residents to say, "oh, poor us." But that's not really true anymore. 

 

"If you want to see something that's exciting, go to a Planning Board meeting," Moulton said, because of the new businesses and expansions that are happening. "We have a lot to offer and I'm excited to be a part of it."

 

While the city is seeing new growth, "I believe there must be an acknowledgement and acceptance of our declining population," Branch said. "If our community is warm, open, welcoming, engaging, conscientiously aware, and creates an inspirational atmosphere, we are well on our way to keeping those who make their homes here and those new members of the community."

 

Her plans would include all residents having a say in how the city should move forward. "We need to address the real human problems we have in North Adams," Branch said. "Such as the drug and alcohol epidemic, which requires treatment centers, stopping domestic violence and rape, and supporting the agencies that assist in addressing racism and anti-Semitism." 

 

To directly address job growth, Bernard said he would streamline the process of how businesses work through the permitting systems adding that the city's job would be to say "yes" and only rarely say "no." He would advocate for the workforce training programs at McCann and Berkshire Community College, and would develop a "business manager" for the city whose job would be business recruitment and development that would eventually be self-funded. 

 

"Are we willing to invest in what it takes to bring business here?" he asked. 

 

Moulton said the city has to be attractive and inviting. Private investment, such as the Greylock Works and the Norad Mill are proof that exciting developments are happening, he said. He agreed with the current administration's move to sell off properties to be better developed by private investment.

 

"The city itself doesn't do it, you're looking for the entrepreneurship," Moulton said. "We're a very reasonable place to do business, it's fairly easy to do business. Could it be streamlined more? I suppose it always could be but people look out there for the opportunities that are here."

 

He thought that the city was on the upswing, even though it had a ways to go. "It's going to be surprising where we are in the next five years," he said. 

 

Branch said it was a matter of all the residents working together. "Every resource available must be promoted and highlighted," she said. "One of the ways we can assist those positions is to encourage volunteer work that might lead to employment." 

 

Existing businesses should be encouraged to develope apprentice programs "at a miniumum wage leading to a livable wage career path," she said. "And any other avenue we can find and create together to solve this ongoing problem."

 

All three said they would encourage the Massachusetts Nursing Association and Berkshire Health Systems to continue talking. The registered nurses' union and health system contract negotiations have been at a standstill for months over the safe staffing issues. The local MNA negotiating committee has been authorized to call a strike if needed. 

 

Bernard said affordable health care is a priority, calling it a tenet of his campaign. He said he would be listening to both sides and be a voice for the community but stressed that continued harsh negotiations create a lack of trust between employee and management, and the health care system and the community. He would hold them accountable to their duty of care. 

 

"We need to put patient care first but equitable care and equitable treatment of caregivers is important," he said. "All sides should do everything they can to settle open labor issues because not doing that threatens patient care."

 

Moulton said as mayor, you had to keep the cohesiveness and keep people talking.  

 

"It's a very very difficult division. What you don't want to get to is them against us, that doesn't work for anybody, least of all patients," he said, noting how the sudden closure of North Adams Regional Hospital caught many off guard. That could have been avoided if more efforts had been made to keep people informed, he said. "You have to keep them talking."

 

Branch was much more blunt. "I am a very strong supporter of the nurses," she said. "And if a strike were to occur, I would attempt to provide every opportunity possible for inclusive meetings to address the very real concerns of nurse to patient staffing." 

 

A member of the North County Cares Coalition, Branch has been outspoken on the need to bring the former hospital facility owned by BHS in North Adams back up the standards needed to meet the area's aging and poorer population. 

 

"This is a human rights issues and patients must come first," she said. She is also advocating for the community's participation in the disbursement of some $1.1 million from NARH's endowment fund made up of donations from community.

 

All three also supported greater medical support for heroin addicts and resources for police to root out drug dealers. Education is also critical with Branch describing drug abuse like a contagious disease that requires early intervention. Bernard said the state needed to step up funding and ensure prescribers aren't continuing to add to the problem. Moulton said nothing can really get done until the public evinces its outrage and demands actions. 

 

They also agreed on the need for reliable public transportation for residents to be able to get to jobs and colleges. Bernard thought the entire public transportation system needed to be reimagined, such as using on-demand and ride sharing services. Branch had similar ideas, including encouraging private buses or vans, and pushing for state funding. 

 

"We can all do energy efficiency with more walking and more bike riding, but this is a tough issue," she said. 

 

Moulton said millions are flowing out the Berkshires to support Boston's MBTA and some of that money needs to stay here. The city could also look for grants and develop a plan "to get the best bang for our buck."

 

Bernard and Branch support the one-mile North Adams leg of the Mohawk Bike Path as long as everyone's concerns can be addressed. The route would go through private land being donated to the city that parallels Chenaille Terrace; the residents there have objected to what they believe will be a bike path in their back yard. 

 

Moulton thought the route could go down another street (it was not clear which street he meant) and through one or more homeowners' side yards to connect to the airport land.

 

"If you get one or more persons to be the hero of the neighborhood," he said. "I think it is a very, very viable solution to the problem." 

 

 [The cost estimate for the entire bike path from Route 7 to Harriman & West Airport is about $4.9 million; the North Adams section would be funded through federal scenic byway monies.]

 

The final question related to the city's water quality. The water itself is safe but a test in July turned up coliform bacteria that was not immediately reported to the state. A test the next day at the same locations turned up negative but because of the reporting delay, the city was required to alert residents of the failed tests — nearly two months after they occurred. 

 

"Incidents like that create a lack of public trust," Bernard said. "If our standard is basic compliance, we at least have to do that well." 

 

He promised a review at every level of reporting and testing to find what's not working and create a documented standard to adhere to for all city operations. 

 

Moulton said water quality was on everyone's minds because of the findings of PFOA in nearby communities. "Why weren't we notified?" he said. "There should have been outrage."

 

His thought is to look into privatizing the water treatment plant again. (The city took over the privately operated plant in 2010.)

 

"Water is life," said Branch, insisting that every test be done and everything be examined in a fully transparent manner. "It's the responsibility of our mayor and anyone in our administration. 

 

The forum, attended by more than 60 people, was taped for broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community Television.