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Mark Bailey, second from right, is sworn in as detective sergeant in 2017. Bailey has been named interim chief of the North Adams Police Department.

Mayor Chooses Sgt. Bailey as Interim North Adams Chief

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A nearly 20-year veteran of the Police Department has been named as interim police chief effective Monday, April 10. 
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey said on Friday that she has appointed Sgt. Mark Bailey to temporarily replace departed Chief Jason Wood. Lt. Anthony Beverly had stepped into the leadership role last month when Wood was put on administrative leave. 
 
"I have the outmost confidence in Bailey's ability to lead this department to be the best and most professional department it can be," the mayor said in a statement. 
 
"I extend my gratitude to Lt. Anthony Beverly for helping us through this transition. He is a true team player,  a person that serves with respect and dedication to the North Adams community."
 
Bailey started with the force as a reserve patrol officer in December 2004 and was hired as a full-time permanent police officer a year later. In 2013, he was assigned to the Detective Bureau and took on the role of narcotics investigator for the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Task Force.
 
He was appointed acting detective sergeant of the Detective Bureau in 2015 and appointed permanent detective sergeant in 2017. In 2020, he returned to patrol as sergeant supervising third shift.
 
Macksey said Bailey has extensive training and certifications in interviewing and interrogations, sexual assault investigations, fire investigations, tactical deployment of officers and emergency medical services during critical incidents,  and advanced cell phone investigations, as well as death scene investigator training. 
 
Bailey is also an investigator for Internet Crimes Against Children, which is an assignment he will continue as interim chief.
 
The 2000 Drury High graduate obtained his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University in 2004. Bailey also graduated from Aspen University with a master of science in criminal justice with a specialization in law enforcement management.
 
"He comes highly recommended by his peers," said the mayor. "He carries a high ethical standard and he has the utmost respect and care for not only his colleagues but the community he serves.  
 
"Bailey's focus will be to get the new Police Department headquarters operational, work to get policies and procedure updated, improve community engagement with citizens but most importantly making North Adams the safest it can be."

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North Adams Council Recognizes Special Olympian, OKs Account Transfers

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Jenna Thomas has participated in the Special Olympics for more than 20 years, earning numerous medals. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Special Olympian Jenna Thomas was recognized at City Council on Monday for her medal-winning performance at the 2026 games last month in Minnesota.
 
"I think it's so appropriate as I'm about to proclaim Disabilities Pride Month that we recognize and honor Jenna," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who had Thomas join her at the podium."
 
Thomas was one of nearly 3,000 athletes who participated in the 2026 Special Olympics, which brought nearly 3,000 athletes from across the country to celebrate the talents, determinations, and achievements of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She won bronze as a member of the Berkshire County Arc Titans bowling team, a fourth in doubles with teammate Katherine Meunier and placed in the top 10 for singles nationally.
 
She's been participating in Special Olympics since her teenage years, competing in cross country skiing, track and field since 2009. Thomas switched to bowling in 2019 and has won gold; she was recognized by the mayor in 2023 for her athletic accomplishments representing Massachusetts and North Adams. 
 
"Look at how beautiful that is — a bronze medal in bowling and placed fourth in the doubles competition, demonstrating her dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship on the national stage," said the mayor. "She also got to meet the governor's partner, Joanna [Lydgate], who we went out with for ice cream. ...
 
"In returning home, she credited her participation to the friendships she's made and the joy of competing ... her accomplishments are a source of pride for the city of North Adams and should serve as an inspiration for the entire community."
 
The mayor also presented $730,741.06 in end-of-year transfers. These transfers are made from accounts with excess funds to accounts that have gone over. Every line with the exception of snow and ice must be balanced for the end of the year.
 
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