Guest Column: Aug. 31 Overdose Awareness Day

Purple flags at North Adams City Hall mark the 107 North Berkshire residents lost to overdose over the past seven years.

Thursday, International Overdose Awareness Day, is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died from overdose and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

In Berkshire County, programs are planned in North Adams and Pittsfield.

In North Adams, the community will gather at City Hall at 5 p.m. Flags will mark each death, and people are welcome to bring (or make on site) signs to raise awareness and speak to their own loss. At 6 p.m., we will gather for a vigil to remember those lost. Bereavement resources will be available from Support After a Death by Overdose (SADOD). Narcan will be available. We will also have pins and bracelets to mark the day.

This is the first year North Adams is hosting a community event for International Overdose Awareness Day. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

You can find other International Overdose Awareness Day events in Massachusetts on the Support After a Death by Overdose website. This organization provides many valuable support resources, including information about meetings for the bereaved, and a platform to memorialize a loved one lost to overdose.

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.