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 Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

 

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