BFAIR Purchases Mass Ave. Property to Support Growth of Redemption Center

Staff Reports 11:14AM / Wednesday, January 21, 2026Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — BFAIR announced the purchase of the building located at 1000 Massachusetts Avenue home to the BFAIR Bottle and Can Redemption Center, effective Jan. 9, 2026.

After several years of managing the Bottle and Can Redemption Center, BFAIR officially acquired the business in July 2019. The recent purchase of the building allows BFAIR to plan for long-term growth and expansion in response to a significant increase in the volume of redeemable bottles and cans being processed, stated a press release.

"This purchase gives us the opportunity to expand the space to better meet growing demand," said Laura Baran, senior director of CBDS and Employment Services. "The increase is driven by more customers, additional pop-up and pick-up locations through our service van—sponsored by Adams Community Bank—and a rise in community bottle drives."

With the ability to expand the building, BFAIR will be able to add workspace and purchase a second bottle and can counting machine, made possible through support from the Berkshire Bank Foundation. These improvements will increase efficiency, enhance workflow, and support continued job creation.

Future renovations may also include reconfiguring the lobby area to improve productivity and customer flow as operations continue to grow.

For more information about BFAIR and the Bottle & Can Redemption Center, visit https://www.bfair.org/BFAIR-Bottle-and-Can-Redemption-Center

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North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports09:16AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

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