Northern Berkshire United Way Holding Annual Awards Celebration

01:03PM / Monday, May 06, 2019Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire United Way holds its 2nd annual Spirit of Caring and Awards Celebration on Thursday, May 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Berkshires.

The celebration will recognizes individuals in the community for their length and breadth of service to Northern Berkshire United Way, its network, and the overall Northern Berkshire community.

Greylock Federal Credit Union will be the Platinum Sponsor of this event.

Tracy Rougeau McConnell will be presented the Spirit of the Future Award. As a member agency board chair, NBUW volunteer and supporter, McConnell has contributed to the community since the start of her professional career. She has also served as a youth coach and as a member of the North Adams Rotary Club. She is vice president of business banking at Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Dianne Cutillo and Bernie Pinsonnault will be presented with the Spirit of Community Award for their many years of service as volunteers and supporters to NBUW, including as allocation volunteers and as the 2018 campaign co-chairs. Cutillo chairs of the board of trustees for Berkshire Arts & Technology Public Charter School and Pinsonnault is a trustee of the Berkshire Community College Foundation, Berkshire Fund and Adams Community Bank. Both are members of the Adams Lion Club and have been instrumental to and supportive of numerous other organizations in the community.

Steve Green and Sue Walker will be presented the Al Nelson Spirit of Caring Award, named after the first recipient and former NBUW executive director, for their years of dedicated service to NBUW. They have served as board members, committee chairs, campaign co-chairs, and volunteers. They have both contributed to many organizations in the community including the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, the Al Nelson Friendship Center, Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative, and All Saints Church.

Specialty Minerals Inc. will receive the Campaign of the Year award for the company's many years of supporting NBUW and in consistently achieving record campaign results. Butch Parrott, campaign coordinator and NBUW board member, recently retired from SMI after 42 years and will also be recognized for his years of service coordinating SMI's campaign during his tenure.

Richard Alcombright and Christine Hoyt, two of last year's first award recipients will be making remarks during the awards ceremony.

NBUW supports 20 member agencies that provide funding to member agencies that provide health, education and financial stability programs, we are committed to provide funding in the area of safety-net services.

Tickets are $50 and are still available by contacting the Northern Berkshire United Way office at 413-663-9062.

Tags: benefit, recognition event,

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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