Letter: Answers Needed on North Adams Health Department Backlog
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To the Editor:
The recent revelation that the City of North Adams has fallen behind in its responsibility to provide its citizens of the most basic legally required Health Inspections demands a community announcement as compelling as Mayor Alcombright announcing his recision of the Winter Parking Ban sent to all citizens.
While this important and fundamental position has been neglected in our city it is an Indictment on the administration of Mayor Alcombright. As the chief executive officer of the city of North Adams it is the duty and responsibility to know and understand the day-to-day operations of our city.
What is more troubling is the response of our mayor. Mayor Alcombright, in his quotes, attempted to place the blame on those that are under his employ. How does the mayor of the city of North Adams place the health of its citizenry at the mercy of a part-time employee's snowbird migration?
This revelation should not come as shock, if you follow the tone of the CEO. Recently a property overlooking City Hall was condemned and forced the displacement of some eight families. There is a document trail that will point to a failure of the administration and its policy of defunding important and revenue-producing positions. This coming from a city that has attempted to present its self as a destination. This response is another example of our current mayor not addressing the small things that affect our today and our city's tomorrow.
Having not read the most current City Report, I would question the revenue of the departments that are tasked with enforcing the codes and ordinances of the city of North Adams. Does the Department of Wire and Alarm produce revenue to support the addition of an additional employee or will the addition cost the taxpayers? What department will produce the revenue to pay for the new position to oversee city-owned property, the same position that the taxpayer has been funding to date. How does one create a budgeted position mid-stream?
Mayor Alcombright has proposed in his budget, the increase in hours and accordingly salary, for the position of mayor's Office of Tourism, to oversee many events which overlap with county and Mass MoCA events. This office and position should focus solely on the promotion of the city of North Adams and encompass the facilitation, growth and business functions of our regional Farmers Market as well as the many important and fundamental activities that help North Adams distinguish ourselves. This appointment should not reflect a political reward yet prove a benefit for the promotion of OUR city.
How do we know we have or have not been exposed to some of the same health issues that have afflicted national chains and small Mom and Pops in the Boston area? The thought that a ball has been dropped here is an insult to the city of North Adams, all of us in the city of North Adams.
The fact that the elimination of the position to patrol and enforce the issuance of permits and Inspections lies with not only Mayor Alcombright, but our City Council as well.
The City Council is the brakes on the accelerator of the mayor's motion yet it holds enormous responsibility and power to honor the laws of our city known as ordinances. Members of the North Adams City Council, some of which as business owners in our city should have questions to ask or answer, it is ultimately their responsibility represent the best interest of the taxpayers of the city of North Adams and to understand that the accelerator and the brakes need both to be checked to ensure forward motion.
Chris Tremblay
North Adams, Mass.
Tags: board of health, health inspection,
