Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study Information Meeting

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The state Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public information meeting for the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study on Thursday, March 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.    

The study is examining the potential benefits, costs, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from North Adams to Greenfield and Boston, with the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive option for travel along this corridor.   

At this meeting, the study team will share an overview of the study's background, review the study alternatives, outline issues and opportunities to consider, present draft recommended next steps and draft implementation plan, and garner feedback. The meeting materials will also be available after the meeting on the study website.  

The meeting information, including the registration link, are currently available on the study website under "Upcoming Events." Once registered, individuals will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with information about joining the webinar.   

Sign up to receive updates on the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study here. More information here.   

North Adams Students Taste Test for Input on Lunches

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
08:00AM / Sunday, January 18, 2026

Chef Kyle Zegel talks to the children about the food they will be trying on Friday. He will be bringing recipes each month for them to try.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Pupils at Brayton Elementary got to taste test a new side dish as chef Kyle Zegel passed out cups cider-glazed carrots on Friday for the children to try. 

 

Zegel, a food literacy facilitator, said his goal is teach children about farms and how to grow food, and to have a deeper relationship with their food system.

 

"There's this increasing separation between the natural world and ourselves, and there's this increasing separation between the food system and ourselves," he said. "And we really see that with our students, and with the increasing prevalence of technology and ways that just separate us from interacting with how our food grows. ...

 

"I think it's just really important to make sure that we're giving students accessible opportunities for experiential learning."

 

Zegel will be highlighting a "Harvest of the Month" in the North Adams Public Schools through the Massachusetts Farm to School program.

 

The district last year received a state-funded MA FRESH (Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health) grant toward scratch cooking with more local ingredients. A little less than $7,000 of the $30,000 grant the district received in December will go to Harvest of the Month program.

 

Director of Food Services Thomas Lark said it was important to connect the children to food that is grown locally. The district is sourcing through Marty's Local in Deerfield.