North Adams Warns Residents of Pipe Survey Scams

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
01:36PM / Thursday, January 30, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City residents are still being plied with scams over the lead pipe survey.

Officials are warning residents of calls and letters claiming to represent the survey and requesting money. The survey is being done at no cost to residents.

"We are in the midst of having a lead pipe survey, as most of you know," Mayor Jennifer Macksey said at Tuesday's City Council meeting. "You should have received letters in the mail about a question of what type of pipes you have coming into your house. I know that some people have received calls asking to pay for this survey. Please be reminded that this is a scam, that our survey is free and they should be identifying as a company through Tighe & Bond [the survey engineers]."

North Adams, like other communities across the state, has been required to conduct a survey of its lead and copper pipes used for drinking water in both public and private service lines by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This is to inform an inventory and replacement plan and the expected replacement of any lead pipe within 10 years.

The survey is free and can be found on the city's website here along with ways to determine what type of pipes you have. There is also contact information for the city's Water Department for any questions.

The fraud calls and letters have been around for months and city officials last fall warned residents not to fall for them. Anyone receiving such calls should report the incident immediately to the North Adams Police Department at 413-664-4944, Ext. 1.

"Please do not give your credit card information over the phone, and we encourage people to schedule the survey as soon as possible," said Macksey. "Also be reminded that the determination of lead pipe has not been made yet. We are still in the assessing process. If you received a letter saying that you have lead pipes and you have to pay X that also is a scam.

"It's very sad that we are trying to get through this process and all these scams are out there. So if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call the Public Service Department or my office."

Tags: scams,

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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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