Officers Erik Thomas, left, with Police Chief Jason Wood and Officer Matthew Meranti on Monday. The department raised money to buy dinners and presents for local residents.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Police department wanted to give a little more this year and decided to deliver Christmas meals to 12 families in need.
"I know what it's like this time of year if you are a young family. Food is not always the top priority," Officer Erik Thomas said. "You want to get your kids some toys to put under the tree."
Thomas said the department reached out to elementary school adjustment counselors and asked for a few families that may need a little help this holiday season.
"We asked them to pick us a few families and we wanted to see what we could come up with for donations from the officers," he said. "The chief offered to match the donations, which we really didn't even need because we had enough through the donations from each individual officer. We covered about 90 percent of it."
Each family got a Butterball "ready to roast" turkey breast, mashed potatoes, rolls, vegetables, gravy, and a pie. Thomas said they also gathered some toys for the younger kids and movie tickets for some of the older kids.
The meals were delivered on Monday afternoon.
Police Chief Jason Wood said he was proud of his officers for stepping up and giving back to the community.
"I think this is great that everyone wants to help ... we need to make sure we grow with the community’s needs," he said. "Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that are in need and if the police can help in a small way we are going to do it."
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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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.
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.
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