North Adams gets $500,000 from State for Dam Improvements

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city will receive $500,000 from the state for improvements to the Mount Williams and Notch Reservoir Dams. 

The funding comes as the Baker-Polito Administration announced approximately $19.2 million in grants through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Dam and Seawall Program this week, continuing efforts to address failing dams and strengthen coastal infrastructure.

"As we continue to witness the impacts of climate change on the Commonwealth, it is important that we work to address the state’s aging infrastructure, such as dams, seawalls, and other structures," said Gov. Charlie Baker. "By investing in these types of critical structures, we will make Massachusetts communities more resilient to withstand stronger storm events and other impacts and ensure better safety and performance for years to come."

This funding will support 23 municipalities and nonprofit organizations as they seek to advance 26 critical infrastructure projects within their communities. 

"Our Administration is proud to assist our municipal partners as they work to address failing dams and seawalls, which can be a costly endeavor that puts a significant financial strain on local budgets," said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. "Through our continued partnership, we will be able to make critical repairs and other necessary work to improve important infrastructure and make our communities more resilient to climate change."

Grants are awarded to advance designs and permits, as well as to construct the projects. This round of grants will support 15 design and permitting projects and 11 construction projects. With these new grants, EEA’s Dam and Seawall Program has now made over $114 million in total grants and loans to address deficient dams, seawalls, and levees since the program began in 2013.

"The Baker-Polito Administration has made tremendous progress in addressing dams, seawalls, and levees by investing more than $100 million in funds to cities and towns since 2015," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. "Many of these structures were never intended to withstand the conditions we experience today, such as more intense storms and rising sea levels, requiring us to act now to implement resilient solutions to better protect our communities from future events and issues."

"The reality of rising sea levels and the increased risk of flooding in Massachusetts prompted the legislature to create the Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Fund," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Seawall and dam infrastructure is critical for safeguarding the wellbeing of communities throughout the Commonwealth. Even in-land communities, like Hopkinton in MetroWest, will benefit from restored functioning and heightened protections against flooding from nearby lakes and waterways."

"As we work together to build a greener and more resilient Commonwealth, I want to applaud the Baker-Polito Administration for working with us in the Legislature to combat climate change and meet critical environmental infrastructure needs," said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (D-Westport). "Because of our enduring partnership, we have made incredible progress, working together to invest over $100 million since 2015 to repair and bolster our dams, seawalls and other coastal infrastructure necessary to better protect our communities and confront the impacts of climate change for many years to come."

"Our coastal infrastructure is key to keeping our communities safe from the impacts of severe weather," said State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). "With hundreds of miles of coastline to protect on the South Shore, today’s announcement of over $10 million to construct and design seawalls in the district is a significant step forward. I am deeply appreciative of the Baker-Polito Administration for their investment in the South Shore."

"Thank you to the Baker-Polito administration for this allocation of funding," said Representative Patricia Haddad (D-Somerset). "My communities of Somerset and Swansea will use this money to improve aging infrastructure that help protect our homes and businesses from the devastating effects of flooding."

"Global heating is affecting our infrastructure and we must plan now for even greater changes in the future," said Representative Paul A. Schmid III (D-Westport). "Fall River thanks the Baker-Polito Administration for this award which will help improve the Sawdy Pond Dam."

For more information regarding EEA’s Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program, please visit the program’s webpage.

Berkshires Remember First Responders, Military Personnel Lost at 9/11 and Aftermath

By Jack Guerino & Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:30PM / Friday, September 11, 2026

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre speaks at Friday's memorial. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The county's two cities held memorials on Friday morning to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks. 

Great Barrington was scheduled to hold a dedication of piece of steel from the World Trade Center at 6 p.m.

North Adams held its ceremony in the fire station's side garden starting at exactly 8:46 a.m., the time Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower.

 

The small square of grass was packed with police officers, firefighters, wire and alarm personnel, dispatchers, and Northern Berkshire EMS employees, and city employees, officials and community members. 

 

After the ceremonial tolling of the bell, an honor guard presented the colors.

 

Mayor Jennifer Macksey said it felt odd welcoming people to a very solemn event.

 

"What happened 25 years ago put a mark on emergency services. It put additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, and dispatchers," Macksey said. "While we remember those who lost their lives during 9/11, and those who ran to help as many as they could during 9/11, we have to pause and appreciate those who continue to serve despite that awful threat that occurred 25 years ago."

 

She said it was a direct attack on the United States and all of its people.

 

"It was a question of our freedoms and our ability to be safe in our communities," the mayor said. "I can say today that here in North Adams, it could happen to us, but I know with the professionalism of our Fire Department, Police Department, EMS, and our dispatch team, we are a better community; we are a safer community than we were 25 years ago."