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Morgan Goodell, Michael Jordan, Mitchell Maselli and Ranen Rothman with Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre, right, and Deputy Chief Robert Patenaude.

North Adams Swears in Four New Firefighters

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Morgan Goodell, a Clarksburg firefighter, is the first woman to join the North Adams department.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Fire Department last week welcomed its newest firefighters, including its first woman.
 
Morgan Goodell, Michael Jordan, Mitchell Maselli and Ranen Rothman were sworn in at Tuesday's City Council meeting. 
 
They recently graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy's 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, all earning certifications in Firefighter 1 and 2.
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey asked that they would always have a concern for others and have the strength to bear whatever burdens placed upon them. 
 
 "And that you have the strength of mind and body to deliver safety to all of the residents of the city of North Adams," she said.
 
Macksey introduced each firefighter before they were sworn in by City Clerk Joshua Vallieres and pinned by Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre.
 
Goodell, of Clarksburg, has an associate's degree in fire science and is a member of the Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department, following in the steps of her late father, Robert. 
 
Maselli is a North Adams resident who attended Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; Rothman is a Navy veteran from Rockland and Jordan is originally from Taunton and has most recently been with the Vernon (Conn.) Fire Department. 
 
"I have to say this group has been fantastic. I feel like I went to the academy with all of you," said Macksey. "We had our weekly little chat groups on Sunday evening. I don't know if you miss them or not, but I do.
 
"I'm very proud of you."

Tags: fire department,   recruitment,   

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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