At its meeting Tuesday night, the North Adams City Council joined five other Berkshire County communities in passing resolutions that call for a full-service hospital in the region. North Adams Regional Hospital closed abruptly in March, and its parent company filed for bankruptcy days later.
Passed unanimously, the resolution urges local, state and federal authorities along with Berkshire Health Systems to open a full-service hospital regardless of whether it is federally designated as a Critical Access Hospital. Councilor Ben Lamb submitted the resolution.
“It makes a stronger argument to actually realize what we need out here, rather than what the numbers just say,” said Lamb.
With Chairman Ronald Turbin absent Tuesday, the Williamstown Select Board tabled a similar citizen-driven resolution until Oct. 27 so all five members can consider it. A state commissioned report recommends emergency services continue at the North Adams facility now owned by BHS, and inpatient services only if it receives the critical access designation.
