City workers installed the main Christmas tree for the holiday season at Monument Square on Wednesday. The tree was donated by Joe and Martha Curro of Minor Road in Lanesborough.
It took about an hour to place the fir tree, which had to be trimmed down to 32 feet so the city's bucket truck could reach the top to trim it with lights.
A second, smaller tree came from Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Vachereau of Clarksburg for the island at the intersection of Marshall and Main streets. The annual tree lighting will be held on early evening on Wednesday, Nov. 24, the day before Thanksgiving.
Clockwise from top: The tree arrives at Monument Square; trimming the trunk to fit the hole; a handful of people were watching; guiding the tree in with one hand.
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I couldnt find a place to put this but thought I'd share some thoughts. I just want to voice my displeasure with how the fuel assistance is handled in Berkshire County. My mother who is retired and from North Adams used to be able to go to the local office in NA. The office is now closed and people from NA are told to call the BCAC (1-800-632-8175). When and if you finally navigate your way thru the hideous call line, you will find NOONE ever answers the phone even in the middle of the day. Most times, the phone says call back during business hours? Hmmmmm......sounds like they dont want to pick up the phone. My mother has had her renewed fuel assitance form in since the first week of October and all the hot line says it has been rec'd but no decision has been made. Well, its mid-November now and after trying to call everyday for weeks, what does she do now that she has no oil. SOMEONE in gov't needs to deal with the real problems out there like the BCAC dept. In my opinion, its a joke. They should reopen the office in NA because they at least answered the phone.
I hear you on this issue.I feel the same as you.A friend of mine has a 9 year old and will be having a newborn in Dec.She is out of oil and has also been trying to contact someone.They haven't tried to call her or anything.I also see the Elderly going through the same problems.
BCAC in Pittsfield has been taking the fuel assistance applications for several years. People who went to the North Adams office have been given the Pittsfield number.
We have heard a lot of complains about getting through to the Pittsfield office. It has been historically slow in getting forms in in a timely manner, causing delays in getting fuel assistance to people. That said, the office is under tremendous pressure to process thousands of applications with a very small staff.
Unfortunately they should havent closed the North Adams office because it only took a couple days for a decision to be made there. There wasnt any decline in staff as far as I know, just consolidation. Its now Nov 17th and my mother still hasnt heard if she has assistance yet either and her application was in by Oct. 5th. What are they doing about it?
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:: Preliminary Election: Deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 7. (Office open from 8 to 8.)
:: General Election: Deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 18
Registration can be completed at the city clerk's office at City Hall.
Absentee ballots are now available at the city clerk's office for the Sept. 27 preliminary city election. Voters may come in between the hours of 8 and 4:30 weekdays. Written reguests for mailed ballots can be sent to City Clerk's Office, 10 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Deadline for absentee ballots is Monday, Sept. 26, at noon.
The preliminary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, to narrow the field of three mayoral candidates to two. The general election to select nine city councilors and a mayor will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.
