Council Postpones $14,231 Grant, Seeks Legal Opinion

Select Board · Meeting of September 23, 2026

North Adams City Council voted down a $14,231 federal grant then postponed it pending a legal opinion. The council first rejected the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant 2-4, with only Councilor Blackmer and Councilor Sapienza voting yes, before passing a second motion 6-0 to postpone the item and request a written city solicitor opinion on grant conditions barring interference with federal immigration enforcement. Police Chief Bailey said the money, intended for a roughly 20-by-20-foot evidence room expansion, is needed for state accreditation and proper chain-of-custody storage, warning "cases thrown out" without it.

Council President Shea said she wanted time after receiving the full application only two days before the vote, while Mayor Jennifer A. Maxey countered that only Blackmer had asked questions beforehand. Councilor Breen suggested funding the project instead through the parking meter fund rather than accept federal strings.

The council separately advanced three short-term rental ordinances 6-0 and referred its AI safeguards ordinance back to committee with an October 27 return date.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,647 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.