Letter: Don't Repeat the Past in North Adams Mayoral Race

To the Editor:

Look to the future by learning from the past in North Adams mayor race

I was very excited when Lynette Bond announced her candidacy for mayor in June. However, when Jennifer Macksey announced her candidacy my concerns mounted. As I watched the first of what I hope will be several debates, I listened to Ms. Macksey speak of checks and balances and accountability when she was the treasurer of North Adams. She further stated that there was "no theft" in City Hall when she worked there. I had a sinking feeling remembering the city's Health Insurance Trust Fund failure. Ms. Macksey was the city treasurer during that time.

As treasurer, Ms. Macksey should have been aware that the Health Insurance Trust Fund was not being funded as required by Mass General Law (MGL) chapter 32B, section 3A Municipal Group Insurance Trust Fund statute and as was budgeted by the North Adams City Council. The treasurer is responsible for cash management procedures, forecasting, maximizing cash flow, monitoring receipts, maintaining internal financial controls, reconciliation of all city funds, receivables, trust funds and government grants. The treasurer is responsible to assure compliance with state law and regulation governing municipal finance and to develop and maintain appropriate levels of internal controls to safeguard the financial assets of the community, (MA Municipal Association). The mismanagement of the city's Health Insurance Trust Fund spanned years and cost the city dearly to resolve it. The independent report conducted at that time stated that the city had failed to pay its fair share of city and school employee insurance premiums at $1.1 million over the previous two years. What is sometimes overlooked when we talk about the "city" are those employed, many of them residents. It cost them as taxpayers and cheated them as employees.

This kind of carelessness cannot be repeated. Ms. Macksey had the misfortune of being mentored by and working for a flawed administration during which funds were mismanaged, while denying employees access to review their accounts when being questioned. If there were checks and balances, and accountability during Ms. Macksey's years in City Hall as she stated in the debate, how could the city's Health Insurance Trust Fund have failed so miserably? 

Let's learn from the past and ensure that we do not repeat that which can be and is necessary to change. Voting for Lynette Bond must be the choice.

Susan W. Chilson
North Adams, Mass. 

Chilson is the former president of the North Adams Teachers Association

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
07:25AM / Sunday, March 15, 2026

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 

 

The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.

 

"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.

 

A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 

 

Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 

 

They will submit those with a school picture to the governor.