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Pete from Mount Williams Greenhouse had the soil turned in short order for the donated plantings.
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Mount Williams planted New Guinea impatiens, regular impatiens, geraniums, ageratum, and salvia.
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Plantings were also placed in the front of the department's main entrance.
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The Fire Department will hold its 9/11 ceremony on Sept. 11 at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane hit the World Trade Center.

Mount Williams Donates Flowers to Spruce Up Fire Department Yard for 9/11 Ceremony

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — In preparation for the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Fire Department wanted to clean up the side yard where it typically holds a remembrance ceremony.

"We wanted to make it look nicer because we are going to do a 9/11 ceremony here, so all of us got together, we cleaned it up, did all the stone work," said John Marlowe, firefighters' union president.

Marlowe said after their initial cleanup, the yard was still pretty bare, so they called Mount Williams Greenhouse for a quote on some plantings.

Instead, the business offered to donate the flowers and labor.

"They decided they wanted to do it for free," Marlowe said. "So they are donating all of the flowers and labor. They are a great group and great family. Great community members."



Monday afternoon, firefighters helped carry flowers and, other than supplying some water, let Mount Williams do its thing.

Flowers were planted in the circular area around the flagpole. Mount Williams planted New Guinea impatiens, regular impatiens, geraniums, ageratum, and salvia.

Marlowe said the department will hold its 9/11 ceremony on Sept. 11 at 8:46 a.m., the exact time when the first plane struck the Twin Towers. Police and EMS will also be present.

"We all try to remember our brothers and sisters in the police, fire, ambulance, everyone who sacrificed their lives," Marlowe said. "This is a great way to do that."


Tags: 9/11,   donations,   

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North Adams Orders Dogs Rehomed

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A dog owner was ordered to rehome two of five pets over excessive barking. 
 
The new Animal Control Commission was finding its way last Thursday as it dealt with dog complaints, wildlife and neighbor disputes at its second meeting.
 
John Flaherty of East Avenue was ordered to license his dogs and remove two to bring his pack into compliance with the city's ordinances. 
 
His neighbor James Whitney has lodged complaints over the past three years, saying the dogs were barking at all hours of the night and brought a list of times when the noise had awakened him. 
 
"I understand dogs bark during the day," he said. "I can put up with that, but not at nighttime. There were 140 instances between Feb. 6 [2025] and Jan. 20 [2026], where I or my wife or both of us heard the dogs barking in the a.m."
 
Flaherty said all five dogs are rescues and he's made efforts to contain the dogs. He's fenced the yard as well and brought the dogs in when they've been barking and keeps them in the house while he works nights. 
 
"I get home at midnight when I'm working, OK, I let three dogs out. I tell you, they don't make a noise. Don't make a sound. I bring them back in," he said. "I've got the two little ones I let out. They'll yap little, but I can't recall any insistent barking after midnight in a long long time."
 
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