Letter: Stop the Notch Reservoir logging project

Letter to the Editor04:00PM / Monday, November 11, 2024Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

As a lifelong resident of the Berkshires and current MCLA student, I have come to possess a great fondness for the nature intertwined within our towns and cities. Even as a person who generally gravitates towards the indoor side of life, I believe we strike a fine balance between natural land and industry here in Western Massachusetts. One needs little more than to look around at wonderful mountain forests that surround us to realize the beauty at hand. It saddens me greatly, then, to see our governing bodies propose plans to disrupt this balance, and tear away our beautiful scenic views.

Currently, there is a proposed logging project that will target nature trails surrounding the Notch reservoir, destroying a middle and old growth forest with the intent to replace it with one that will promote better long-term water quality. However, this seems not to take into account the immediate effects such a project will have on our current water supply; more importantly, the destruction of such a long-standing and untouched pocket of natural land will be a detrimental blow to both the many animals that inhabit the space, as well as the people who enjoy it as a hiking trail. Spending time in nature has great benefits to the emotional well-being of people, and it would be a shame to take that from our fellow North Adams residents.

The solution is quite simple: We do not want this logging project to proceed. Mayor Macksey has already postponed the project due to community efforts by the "Friends of the Notch Forest" group, but it can be reinstated at any time. Our mayor has demonstrated she is willing to listen, so in order to ensure our voices continue to be heard, we should write Mayor Macksey and urge her to stop the project altogether.

If you want to protect our beloved forest, you can contact Mayor Macksey at mayormacksey@northadams-ma.gov.

Julian Rocca Killela
North Adams, Mass.

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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