North Adams Notes

By Mark E. Rondeau12:00AM / Friday, June 06, 2003Print Story | Email Story

The North Adams Department of Public Safety announced yesterday that city police have received new equipment to combat drunk driving. To enhance its ability to arrest and to help convict drunk drivers, the department has received a new Breath Alcohol Testing System (BATS) as part of the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau's You Drink & Drive - You Lose campaign. Each BATS is valued at $9,800 and requires no additional expense for a community to deploy. "Our new BATS will allow us to more efficiently process those arrested for drunk driving and to report the required information faster to state authorities," said North Adams Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Morocco. "Instead of officers pinned down doing the extensive paperwork related to impaired driving arrests, we can get them back out on the streets to protect our community." All BATS will ultimately be connected to a network that allow for on-line reporting of impaired-driving arrest information to the Officer of Alcohol Testing and the Registry of Motor Vehicles that is mandated by state law. This on-line network will reduce paperwork for law enforcement personnel processing drunk driving arrests. The resulting database from this information will assist those prosecuting drunk drivers as well as those planning safety programs to combat impaired driving. I couldn't help but notice the past few days that a new tenant has occupied the long-vacant space across the hall from The Advocate main office on the first floor of Building 1 at MASS MoCA. The company Website was on the door, so I sent them an e-mail yesterday, and Joanne Pasila sent me one back about her company: "one2 (one squared) is a small design firm, newly located in the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art complex in the tri-state region of western Mass. We offer print and web design services with an emphasis on branding to clients in a range of sectors, including healthcare, education, culture, not-for-profit and hi-tech industries. Our goal is to unite design and words, logic and imagination in bringing to life the most effective solutions for our clients." The company's new Website with a complete listing of services and portfolio is coming out shortly at www.onex2.com. The Northern Berkshire United Way has named Dick Lamb 2004 Campaign Chair and Jack Bond Volunteer-of-the-Year. These developments took place at the organization's Annual Meeting May 7. A long-time resident and community leader, Bond was recognized for motivating much of the growth in the organizations recently concluded annual campaign. Mr. Bond's Red Feather Research Committee enabled successfully approaching more than 100 new large gift prospects, adding nearly $20,000 to the campaign. Executive Director Bob Barton cited Bond as one of those few people who, when an opportunity is identified, respond with "Why Not" instead of the more typical "Why." The meeting featured the election of three new board members: Bob Davis, long-time teacher at McCann Vocational & Technical High School; Steve Smachetti, Principal of Plunkett Elementary School in Adams, and Brendan Russell, an honor student at Hoosac Valley High School. Elected to renewed board membership were Marjorie Cohan, Executive Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse of the Berkshires; Jack Gould, Director of Operations for the North Adams Housing Authority; and Charles Toomajian, Associate Dean for Student Services at Williams College. Outgoing Campaign Chair Wayne LoPresto reviewed the 2002-3 campaign, noting the total was 3 percent higher than the previous year, a significant accomplishment in the slower economy, and ahead of other nearby fundraising federations, which experienced level or decreased campaign results. NBUW Board President Charles O'Brien, also President of South Adams Savings Bank, served as the evening's emcee and expressed happiness with the organization's progress. He noted campaign growth, continued success with grant writing, strengthened financial reporting, and the ongoing refinement of NBUW's decision-making processes. The organization is backing Berkshire Navigation, an initiative to monitor community well-being, and plans to increasingly rely on this data to focus funding, grant writing, and other resource decisions. Scott Kalicki, Vice-President for Agency Relations and Allocations, reported on a very difficult decision process for NBUW's allocation of campaign funds to member agencies. The 30-plus volunteers involved in this process endeavored more than ever to give weight to current need and NBUW priorities, and to rely less on funding history. This shift will be refined year-to-year, but was hampered this time by its newness, and because NBUW had $50,000 less to allocate and three more agencies to consider for funding. Kalicki indicated that "Last year we used most of NBUW's ready reserves (nearly $70,000) to subsidize the allocations pool, recognizing the funding squeeze our agencies were feeling from other sources. Unfortunately, this squeeze has intensified; we don't have reserves to use this year, and campaign growth was only about $20,000. This translated into $50,000 less for the agencies, with some having significant reductions and a bare few seeing increases." NBUW based the allocation decisions on its sense of need or "fragility" of each agency and program, its effectiveness, and NBUW's current statement of community vision and priorities. The Greylock School community will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a spaghetti supper at the school on May 30, 5 to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. "We're excited about celebrating the 50th anniversary. Greylock School has always been a community school. This celebration will bring people together to reminisce. We are really looking forward to it," said Maribeth Garner, first grade teacher and anniversary committee member. The dinner, being held in the school cafeteria, will feature sauce-optional spaghetti, meatballs, salad, Italian bread, a wide array of desserts and beverages all served by the faculty. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for those interested in touring the school. Tickets are available in advance at the school. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children. Additional tickets will be sold at the door. In addition to the dinner, student work and historical photographs will be on display. "The children have been working hard on their anniversary projects. Their work will be showcased for everyone to see," said Melissa Boyer, fourth grade teacher and committee member. "It's wonderful because each grade will be displaying work about the history of Greylock School." Faculty members at the school have integrated anniversary themed activities into their lesson plans, adapting the projects to coincide with the Habits of Mind Theme of Inquiry. By combining the two aspects, students not only learn the district-wide taught value, but also learn about a piece of North Adams history. Students in both the fourth and fifth grades are creating a timeline detailing both historical events in the school's history and in the city, while third grade classes are interviewing school alumni and former principals. Second graders are interviewing current faculty and staff and first graders are preparing a game board, "Jeopardy: Greylock Style." Kindergartners are creating paper stars to highlight the names of former teachers whom taught at the school. All student work will be on display at the time of the dinner. Greylock Elementary School opened on Feb. 10, 1953, graduating its first sixth grade class that same year. At the time of its opening, it housed kindergarten through sixth grade and had an enrollment of 182 students. A total of nine teachers were employed in 1953 Hot lunches were not introduced at the school until 1965, when the school's additional wing was opened. Currently the school has 225 students and 16 classroom teachers, 14 specialist and a large support staff serving grades kindergarten through fifth. The community last celebrated the school's 25th Anniversary in 1978 with a buffet "Dutch treat" catered dinner and an open house. Members of the 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee are Wendy Vachereau, Maribeth Garner, Melissa Boyer, Karen Daigle, Nancy Marden, Melinda Sprague and Suzanne Mendel. For tickets contact the main office at Greylock School, 100 Phelps Ave., 662-3255. The Paul Dilego Trio will be performing at the Joga CafÃ© on Saturday May 24 from 10 PM until 1 AM. The group will perform jazz standards from the 1920's through present. The music is perfect for dancing or just listening. Paul Dilego is a certified public accountant with his own business in North Adams. He has taken private piano lessons with the late Jaki Byard among other prestigious teachers. He was the piano player for the Walter Lehmann Jazz Band for over six years. He has studied jazz piano at the Hartt Conservatory in Hartford, CT and at the University of Miami in Miami, Fla. Randy Kaye will play drums. His long extensive career includes being a sideman for many jazz legends including Rosewell Rudd and Jimmy Hendrix. His discography includes Jimmy Giuffre's The Train and The River and Quasar among other albums. Randy is currently an educator and performer throughout the United States and overseas. Tim Fisher will play bass. Tim has performed on stage with trumpeter/arranger Don Sickler and pianist Bertha Hope. He is currently playing with the group Wakarusa and has played for years with various bands in the area. The musicians promise a good time, including music that can be enjoyed at lower volumes than most clubs. All three are very accomplished at their art and communicate well on the bandstand providing a synergy that is both swings hard and is relaxed simultaneously. North Adams Regional Hospital recognized its corps of volunteers Wednesday, April 30, during an afternoon reception at the hospital. The event marked National Volunteer Week (April 27 - May 3). The theme of National Volunteer Week was "Volunteers - A Welcome Touch." NARH Volunteer Coordinator Lucy Green noted that the theme was especially appropriate for the hospital volunteers as some of them are the first hospital representatives people see on entering the hospital. "Indeed, all volunteers, wherever they work in the hospital, are contributing in some way towards caring for patients and their families and friends," said Green. Guest speakers at the reception were Bruce Nash, M.D., President of NARH and Elaine Neely, Vice-President for Facilities Management at Northern Berkshire Health Systems. Both thanked the volunteers for their commitment to the hospital. NARH volunteers include: Gene Aubin, Joanna Biros, Claire Bombardier, Christine Brazeau, Virginia Briggs, Jean Bryce, Mary Campanardi, Millie Conroy, Kay Crockwell, Patricia Darling, Jean Donati, Marcia Eddy, Janet Filiault, Marguerite Fournier, Geri Gamache, Orlyn George, Devan Harding, Laura Hawke, Victoria Hoellerich, Katie Hopkins (junior volunteer), Nicholas Hopkins (junior volunteer), and Sarah LaFrance (junior volunteer). Also, Donald LaValley, Ramona LaValley, Joanne Lefave, Lorraine Leonard, Hellen Luscia, Jeanne MacWilliams, Jane Marino, Jean Mattimore, Sigrid McWilliams, Alma Millard, Gail Nelson, Monica Nowak, Beverly O'Brien, Don O'Brien, Stacia Pasternak, Gloria Pedrin, Armand Perreault, Sydney Reid-Baribeau, Sue Reutlinger, Tammy Richards, Eileen Robert, and Angela Russo. Also, Hazel Sacco, Chummy Schoen, Karin Sherman, Mark Shupe, Eleanor Steadwell, Nancy Surprenant, John Szymanski, Ernie Taft, Don Taylor, Oralie Thurston, Anna Toniatti, Rachel Viens, Anne Whitney, Roberta Whitney-Smith, Gladys Wood, and Christina Zustra. The Men and Women in Blue - formerly the Grey Ladies, when all volunteers were women and wore gray outfits - have been part of NARH since 1955, when the volunteer program began at the hospital. There are volunteers on staff seven days a week, including holidays. They transport and discharge patients, deliver mail and flowers, and assist in offices, among other duties. Their ranks now include teenagers (13 - years and up) who participate in the Junior Volunteer Summer Program. Those interested in volunteering may contact Lucy Green, NARH Volunteer Coordinator, at 664-5261.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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