Former Mayor Alcombright Rejoins MountainOne

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Former North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright has rejoined MountainOne Bank.

"We are very pleased to announce Dick’s return to MountainOne in the newly created position of Vice President – Local Business and Customer Relations Manager," said Bob Fraser, MountainOne president and chief executive officer. "While his elected role as mayor of North Adams has concluded, his new position will keep him very much in the public eye, representing MountainOne and advocating on behalf of customers and the community. Dick brings a wealth of local knowledge and strong community connections to us, and we are excited about the contribution and impact he will be able to make in our local communities."

Alcombright said he was pleased to return to MountainOne.

"I was on the original team that coined the MountainOne name back in 2002, when Hoosac Bank and Williamstown Savings Bank joined together. It's meant to pay homage to the highest elevation in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock, while also symbolizing the combined strength of a local bank, insurance agency, and investment division that make up MountainOne," he said. "The evolution of rebranding Hoosac Bank and other company names to MountainOne has helped to simplify the message out in the community, and continues to move the bank forward. MountainOne's ability to adapt and stay relevant means we are able to provide jobs to nearly 200 employees, continue to improve products and services for customers, and support many local community organizations. And, with the commitment to our headquarters right here in North Adams, that's all good for the local economy."

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.