North Adams Council On Aging Elder Law Presentation

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Local seniors can learn about Elder Law issues at a free event hosted by the North Adams Council on Aging on May 13, 2026 beginning at 10AM at the Mary Spitzer Center.
 
The event is part of the statewide Elder Law Education Program presented by the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA). It corresponds with the publication of the revised and expanded "2026 Elder Law Education Guide," the 17th edition of the resource guide, which is available at the Mary Spitzer Center and online at the MBA's companion website, www.massbar.org/elderlaw
 
Among the topics discussed at in-person and virtual events throughout the commonwealth this year are Veteran Affairs Financial Benefits, how to protect your home and assets, power of attorney and health care proxies, reverse mortgages, Homestead and Life Estates, Medicare/Medicaid changes, and alternatives to nursing home care.
 
The Elder Law Education Program matches attorneys from the MBA and the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) with more than 70 councils on aging or senior centers throughout the state to make free presentations about the law.
 
Volunteer attorneys have participated in the Elder Law Education Program since 1987. Past topics have touched on the Homestead Act, estate planning and long-term health insurance. The program is presented with the generous assistance and continued collaboration of the Massachusetts Chapter of NAELA.
 
For more information about the event at the Mary Spitzer Center presentation on May 13, 2026, contact Pat Lescarbeau at 413-662-3125 or email spitzercntr4@yahoo.com
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McCann Committee Gets First Look at $17M Renovation Progress

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

The project is in the home stretch with roofing and some windows and doors still to be installed. Superintendent James Brosnan also pointed above to HVAC improvements in the Guidance Office. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The McCann School Committee got a first look at the final stretch of a $17 million overhaul aimed at making the 64-year-old vocational school safer, quieter and more energy-efficient.

After a brief School Committee meeting Thursday, Superintendent James Brosnan led the members through the school, highlighting some of the changes made in the 64-year-old building.

"Just seeing this gives you a magnitude of the amount of work that goes on," he said.

The upgrades are being funded through the Massachusetts School Building Authority's Accelerated Repair Program and the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District's member towns.

Work was supposed to be completed before the start of the school year, but weather and the removal of materials caused a delay.

The tour was all indoors, and Brosnan told a disappointed committee that he was hesitant to take them onto the roof at night, but said the new roof is near 80 percent down.

"We have another 10, and 10 percent of that missing 20 is in the AVB [air and vapor barrier] and removal phase," Brosnan said. "That particular area is across the front, down the post-secondary ... we are going to pick up from guidance. So we have that plan going through next week. Fingers crossed, within two weeks we will have that piece down."

He said the roof has been built up and insulated for more efficiency.

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