New Ambulance for North Adams

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Board of directors members Louis Scalise, Thomas Rumbolt, John "Jack" Leu, President Robert Moulton Jr., Steven Brown, Michael LaVersa, Elizabeth Milanesi and Vice President Dorothy Ransford join Manager John Meaney Jr. at the unveiling of the new ambulance.
NORTH ADAMS - North Adams Ambulance Service Inc. unveiled the newest member of its fleet Monday night, giving seven members of the board of directors tours of the brand-new ambulance. In operation since Oct. 4, the new ambulance - Unit 3 - replaces a van-style one that was too small for the service's needs. "It gives us a lot more room, it's more comfortable for the patient and for [emergency medical services] workers and it's able to carry more equipment," said John Meaney Jr., paramedic and manager of NAAS. Meaney said the ambulance service replaces its trucks every "three or four years, depending on wear and tear and mileage." The final mileage on the company's old Unit 3 was 120,000 miles. "It was time for an upgrade," said Meaney. The ambulance boasts a roomier exterior that allows emergency medical technicians to work on both sides of the patient. "It helps us to provide better patient care because we can be operating more efficiently," Meaney said. The cost for the unit was $80,000 (including a trade for the former ambulance) and was made possible through membership donations from Northern Berkshire residents. "We're so thankful for everyone's support," said Meaney. Last year’s membership drive raised approximately $43,000. This month, the ambulance service launched its 2007 drive, which aims to raise funds for a move to electronic reporting, which will save it time, money and paper. A nonprofit organization, the ambulance service relies on the generosity of those in the community and the tax-deductible donations goes toward helping to pay for operating expenses, education courses and equipment. The cost of a membership is $35 per household or $20 for individuals. NAAS employs eight full-time employees and 32 part-timers. In 2006, they responded to approximately 3,600 emergency calls.
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Candidates Sought for Vacant North Adams School Committee Seat

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee is seeking candidates to fill a vacancy on the committee. 
 
Letters of interest should be submitted to Bobbi Tassone, administrative assistant to the superintendent, at btassone@napsk12.org by 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6. 
 
The School Committee and City Council will hear from candidates and vote for the new committee member at the council's regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
 
The schedule presented by Mayor Jennifer Macksey was approved at the School Committee's meeting on Tuesday. 
 
The successful candidate will fill the four-year seat won by Chelsey Lyn Ciolkowski in the Nov. 4 election. Ciolkowski withdrew from consideration but not before her name was printed on the ballot, and she earned enough votes for third place in the four-way race for three seats. 
 
School Committee member Richard Alcombright questioned the timing of the process as there is not a vacancy until Jan. 1, and that, technically, Ciolkowski has not resigned.
 
Alcombright is not returning to the committee; his colleagues Emily Daunis and David Sookey both won re-election.
 
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