Letter: North Adams Not Addressing Current Drought Emergency

Letter to the Editor05:00PM / Monday, October 27, 2025Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

About a week ago, I decided to take a walk along the North Adams reservoir. I'm sure it's been at least a year since I had last done so. What I discovered shocked and amazed me: the reservoir is at most about two-thirds full. Given the extent of the drought we've experienced in Massachusetts, I shouldn't have been surprised.

What did surprise me is that we haven't heard a word from City Hall about the possibility of a water shortage and measures we might take to conserve our water supply. When I did some research, I found that the Adams Fire District posted a "State Declaration" about the level 2 drought we are experiencing and the water-use restrictions that residents
and businesses are to observe.

As far as I've been able to tell, the city of North Adams has posted no such restrictions.

The past two administrations at City Hall often made a point of leaving phone messages warning citizens of emergencies, especially those related to weather. The current administration very rarely makes this type of effort. Given what seems to be City Hall's cavalier attitude toward our water supply (remember last year's fight over the proposal to clear-cut cut forest around the reservoir, which posed a danger to the water supply?), I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Since this is an election year in North Adams, it might be time for the mayor to address this emergency and lay out her plans for dealing with it (before we face a potentially more dire situation next spring.

Daniel Spinella
North Adams, Mass.

Tags: drought,

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Letter: Let's Celebrate Diversity in the Northern Berkshires

Letter to the Editor07:00PM / Friday, January 09, 2026

To the Editor:

With the Jan. 1 swearing in of our city of North Adams mayor and City Council, we have an opportunity to celebrate diversity. For the first time in North Adams history, we have a woman for mayor, a woman majority council, and a council which is at least one-third LGBTQIA-plus. I believe this is something which should be celebrated, openly.

Despite a worrying national conversation which advocates that diversity equates weakness, the opposite is true, and has been proven time and time again. McKinsey & Co., a global consulting firm, has conducted a series of studies, which have made a strong business case for diversity, showing it is a competitive advantage for organizations, linked to innovation, financial success, and social benefits. It is indicated that it's especially beneficial to have diverse leadership teams.

I think North Adams is well-positioned to leverage fresh ideas and innovate. Our diversity will help set us up for a more successful future.

Like many of you, I have noticed negative reactions to the news of the diversification of our city's leadership in social media posts, and in overtly homophobic and transphobic comments. I wish for the Northern Berkshires to maintain a culture which is respectful, accepting and uplifting of people of all backgrounds, and I suspect the majority of our residents share this goal.

If you are reading this and feel similarly to me, please join me in helping to uplift people, and celebrate diversity. Let's share success stories, hopes for the future, and accept people of different backgrounds.

Andrew J Fitch
North Adams, Mass.

Andrew Fitch is vice president of the North Adams City Council.

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