image description — Police Chief Jason Wood, seen in this file photo, will not have his contract renewed after an investigation.

North Adams Police Chief Relieved of Duties

11:04AM / Saturday, March 25, 2023Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police Chief Jason Wood has been relieved of his duties and will leave the department as of June 30.

The 20-year veteran of the force was put on paid administrative leave earlier this month for what was described as a "non-criminal" matter that was being investigated by the city's legal team. Officials have declined to detail was was being investigated, saying it was a personnel matter.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey, in a brief email Saturday morning, said he will remain on paid administrative leave and had been notified his contract will not be renewed.

"I have lost trust and confidence in his abilities to lead the North Adams Police Department," she wrote. "This is my only comment relevant to this matter."

Lt. Anthony Beverly has been managing the department since Wood was put on leave and will continue in the interim. Macksey said she will be rolling out an interim plan with details to follow later.

Wood was appointed chief in 2019 by then Mayor Thomas Bernard, becoming the first appointed chief in 40 years. The city had operated under a commissioner of public safety with fire and police directors.

He was chosen over two other outside candidates for the position for his strong roots in the communities and familiarity with the department.

Beverly is a 17-year veteran of the force and was promoted to sergeant in 2017 and to lieutenant not long after.

The change in force leadership comes as the department is moving into new temporary quarters in the Berkshire Plaza because of the police station's poor conditions.

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North Adams Police Investigating Suspicious Fire at Concession Stand

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
06:20PM / Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Fire Chief Brent Lefebvre, left, and Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau check the damage to the concession building.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Authorities are investigating a suspicious fire that occurred at the Windsor Lake concession stand on Wednesday afternoon.

The fire was called in just before 5 p.m. as "visible flames and smoke." There was dark smoke coming from a storage area on the backside of the building and firefighters were able to quickly knock it down.

Power was shut off to the building and fans set up to push the smoke out. Wire and Alarm and Commissioner of Public Services Timothy Lescarbeau also arrived on scene.

"Right now we're just trying to make sure all of the flames are out and that there's no reoccurrence, and then the Police Department will do their investigation," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "It is a suspicious thing that we're closed and we weren't cooking hamburgs."

There was damage to some of the items being stored in the building, including two kayaks that melted, plus the lines & buoys for the swimming area, chairs and some benches.

The concession stand was not open this year, so nothing was on in the kitchen; the other items were stored at the beginning of October.

There were people up at the park, walking and enjoying the view. One woman who was out with her dog said she'd walked by the stand and noticed two people on bench near it, but no smoke. When she came back about 20 minutes later, the fire engines were there.

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