NORTH ADAMS -- City Councilors provided updates about the local and regional committees, boards, commissions and organizations they are assigned to during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Councilor Lisa Blackmer reminded the council about last week’s announcement that Mayor Richard J. Alcombright has ended the search for a new commissioner of public safety and instead the city’s Police Department will be led by Director Michael Cozzaglio and the Fire Department will be overseen by Director Steve Meranti.
"He’ll be leaving the two directors in place and seeing how it goes for the next six months to a year," she said. "We’ll then probably look at changing the ordinance language after that time."
Blackmer also reported that the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce will be partnering with the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board to host grant writing workshops and will be releasing the Berkshire market labor data report at its upcoming Eggs & Issues breakfast at the Pittsfield Country Club on Thursday.
Councilor Keith Bona reported that McCann Technical School underwent some major renovations this summer, resurfacing its parking lots and overhauling the cosmetology classrooms in the post-secondary wing.
In addition, he said all the required towns had signed off on the updated 1958 regional school district agreement, which established the school, allowing the addition of Cheshire and
"It’s before the state commissioner at this point," Bona said.
Councilor Alan Marden reported that the North Adams Contributory Retirement Board hired Beth Matson as its new pension administrator. Councilor Jennifer Breen noted several ongoing energy efficiency projects at the North Adams Housing Authority were nearing completion.
"The Housing Authority also just had a smoking gazebo installed near the Ashland and Spring apartments," she said. "The Housing Authority has a date of May 2013 for all public housing to go smoke-free and it is providing smoking cessation programs for residents."
Councilor Nancy Bullett highlighted the recent renovations to the Hoosac Hall dormitory at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and also updated the council about the progress being made on the Center for Science and Innovation. College officials recently celebrated the completion of the steel framework construction with a "topping off" ceremony.
Councilor Marie Harpin noted several new businesses that had recently opened after going before the Planning Board, while Councilor David Bond highlighted several efforts of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, including the distribution of 130 backpacks to area children through the Family Place.
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