Macksey Makes First Board Appointments as Mayor

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Jennifer Macksey put her stamp on city government Tuesday night by making 27 appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions.
 
The most important may be the initial members of the new Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Commission that was written into ordinance last November as the result of more than a year of effort by an ad hoc working group.
 
The new commission is charged with developing and advising on policies, programs and resources for other boards, city officers and residents on creating "a more equitable and inclusive municipal function" in the city. There are nine members of the commission, one of which is a city councilor for a one-year term and the other eight to be appointed by the mayor for three-year terms. These eight will have staggered terms to begin.
 
Councilor Ashley Shade was appointed to the commission by the council president last month. Joining her will be Michael Goodson, Rachel Hailey and Jennifer Choquette, all for one-year terms; Stephanie Mirante, Lynn DeSanty, and Amanda Hartlage, all for two-year terms, and Gail Grandchamp and Joseph Santelli for full three-year terms. 
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey thanked the working group members for their efforts in creating the new commission. 
 
The mayor didn't make too many changes, preferring to reappoint 13 board and commission members. 
 
Reappointed to the Airport Commission were Dean Bullett and Marc Morandi, both with terms ending Feb. 1, 2025; to the Board of Health, October Cellana for a term ending Jan. 1, 2025; to the Council on Aging, Nancy Canales and Margaret Christiansen, both for terms ending Jan. 1, 2025; to the Human Services Commission, Jennifer Boland and Annie Rodgers, both for terms ending Feb. 1, 2025; to the Mass MoCA Commission, Jane LaMarre, Amy Meehan and Gina Puc, for terms expiring Feb. 1, 2025; to the Planning Board, Kayla Hollins for a term ending Feb. 1, 2025; and to the Traffic Commission, Paul Markland and Ian Wilson, both for terms ending Jan. 10, 2025. 
 
New appointments included Elena Sprague to the Commission on Disabilities for a term to expire Dec. 1, 2024; Rebecca Choquette to Human Services Commission for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2025; Glenn Murray to the Conservation Commission for a term ending Aug. 1, 2024; and Barbara Murray to the Hoosac Water Quality District to fill the unexpired term of Michael Nuvallie, which ends April 8, 2023. 
 
Macksey also announced that the city has hired Jessica Lincourt as the new assessor. Lincourt has been working in the assessor's office since 2019. A new code enforcement officer has also been hired, Marc Bryant.

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North Adams Police Charge 7 After Drug Investigation

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police charged seven people after executing simultaneous search warrants on Eagle Street and Arnold Place.

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, members of the North Adams Police Department Detective Unit and Berkshire Law Enforcement Task Force executed search warrants at 212 Eagle Street Apartment 3 and 59 Arnold Place.

According to police, the search warrants were the result of a month-long investigation into a group of people from Springfield utilizing both residences as part of their heroin and cocaine distribution operation.

Police reported that during the search warrant execution at 212 Eagle Street Apartment 3, Giovanni Ramirez was taken into custody. Joanne Bentley and Chad Luczynski were also located in the apartment and will be charged as part of this investigation.

During the search warrant execution at 59 Arnold Place, Sandra Bunt, Raven Vanderburg, Jaiden Langford-Andrews and Angel Ortiz were all taken into custody.

Bunt's bail was revoked on a separate open case, and she is held without bail. Vanderburg is being held without bail for a probation violation on a separate case.

Langford-Andrews, Ortiz and Ramirez were all held without bail pending dangerousness hearings scheduled for later this week and early next week.

As a result of the investigation, the following evidence was seized:

  • Approximately 110 grams of cocaine
  • Approximately 2,323 bags of heroin (46 grams)
  • Approximately $6,817 U.S. Currency
  • Multiple functioning digital scales with residue

The following people were arrested and charged with the following:

Jaiden Langford-Andrews of Springfield:

  • Arrest Warrant
  • Trafficking Heroin 36-100 grams
  • Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
  • Conspiracy

Angel Ortiz, of Springfield:

  • Trafficking Heroin 36-100 grams
  • Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
  • Conspiracy
  • Giovanni Ramirez, of Springfield, Massachusetts:
  • Trafficking Cocaine 36-100 grams
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
  • Conspiracy

Sandra Bunt, of North Adams:

  • Trafficking Heroin 36-100 grams
  • Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
  • Conspiracy

Raven Vanderburg, of North Adams:

  • Trafficking Heroin 36-100 grams
  • Possessing with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
  • Conspiracy

The following people were charged but not taken into custody:

Joanne Bentley of North Adams:

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