NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Chris Cozzaglio of U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office says he's there to help constituents in the First Mass but also wants to hear from individuals and communities of how federal actions are affecting them. 

 

"We have heard tonight about a lot of the fear that we are facing — federal finance issues, LGBTQ-plus issues, a lot of social rights issues," he said at Tuesday's City Council meeting which passed a transgender sanctuary resolution. "When you think about the federal government, you think it happens all out in D.C. What can we do here? We are only local. We are only city, right now. ... How do we reach out to our delegation?

 

"Hi, my name is Chris, and I am that person."

 

Cozzaglio had been asked to speak by Councilor Andrew Fitch to update the council and the audience on his work for Neal and ways to engage with the federal delegation.

 

"If you don't know Chris already, he is a wonderful addition to the community, though he lives in the hilltowns just up the hill from us," said Fitch. "He hangs out in North Adams a lot, and he contributes to this community a lot, as does his boss."

 

The Lee native attended Berkshire Arts & Technology Public Charter School and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He's currently co-chair of the Windsor Select Board. 

 

And he's the point person for Neal in Berkshire County. 

 

"I specifically work with city councils, with the mayors. I worked with the communities, I work with businesses, I worked with nonprofits. I write letters of recommendations," he said.

 

And if someone wants the congressman to attend an event, he's the one who'll try to make it happen. 

 

One thing Cozzaglio wanted to address are the fears in federal financing. The Trump administration has been cutting out swaths of the federal bureaucracy, including grants and grant managers that have stopped critical work in health, public services and agriculture.

 

"I know that there have been a lot of municipal agreements that we are scared about," he said. "I know that it goes more than municipal, it goes to farmers. I heard from a lot of farmers who have gotten promised federal grants. They haven't seen that yet."

 

Neal's office is tracking delays and cancellations of grants and he encouraged anyone with information to call him. 

 

"My boss is the minority ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee, which is the wallet of Congress," Cozzaglio said. "So while we may not always have a lot of sway with the president, we do have some sway with the wallet, and it's important to get money out, and it's not happening. ...

 

"We can keep accountability of that, and we can keep it transparent. So if there are any monies that the city has been promised that you haven't gotten, give me a call, send me a text, send me an email."

 

The federal government might be in D.C. but there are 50 states filled with towns and cities, he said. 

 

"What you are doing here is important, and it's our job to be able to support you to the best of our ability."

 

Cozzaglio said he'd stay for a bit after the meeting if anyone wanted to speak with him. Councilor Ashley Shade thanked him for making himself available to so many people, noting the standing-room-only gallery that night.

 

"We need a smart federal government to work for us and to remember they work for us, we don't work for them," she said. 

 

Cozzaglio can be reached at the congressman's Pittsfield office at 413-442-0946 or chris.cozzaglio@mail.house.gov.