Barrett, Bosley Named Hayden Award Recipients
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John Barrett III
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Rep. Daniel E. Bosley
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The award was established in May 1968 to honor the memory of Francis H. Hayden, a two-term president of the former Northern Berkshire Chamber who made significant contributions to the community as president and through his involvement with several other organizations.
Candidates are judged on the basis of volunteer efforts rather than any measure of success in the field in which they normally are employed or the accomplishments or successes by an individual's membership in one organization. The award is given annually to a person who has volunteered time, made personal sacrifices, and shown leadership resulting in significant contributions to the economic, social and cultural improvements of any or all of the communities of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, New Ashford, North Adams, Savoy and Williamstown.
Over the years, both Barrett and Bosley have each made significant volunteer contributions to their communities which have included service to youth, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and economic development initiatives, said the selection committee.
Bosley is currently completing his 12th term as the state representative of the 1st Berkshire District. The Democrat has served his district in a number of capacities, most recently as the House vice chairman of the Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditure and State Assets. Bosley has also was House chairman of both the Joint Committee on Commerce and Labor and the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. Bosley has been a key leader in the areas of fiscal policy and economic development, and his influence continues to make a significant impact on the Northern Berkshire community.
Barrett, an educator for 14 years and public servant for nearly 40, has contributed to his community in many ways, most notably serving as mayor of North Adams for 26 years, making him the longest-serving mayor in the state's history. In addition, Barrett has served on the North Adams Airport Commission and the McCann School Committee. In 1995, the state awarded Barrett for his "unwavering leadership as chairman of the Mass MoCA Commission" and, in 2005, he was the recipient of the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts Foundation Clock Tower Award. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Westfield State University have recognized Barrett with a distinguished alumni award and honorary degree, respectively, and the North Berkshire Community has recognized his service by naming him grand marshal of the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade.
As mayor, he was a member of the Massachusetts Mayors Association, serving as president, vice president, Executive Committee member and dean. He is currently a consultant on public works operations for the city of Pittsfield.
"Sometimes a nominee is so compelling, the committee's selection is easy," said Hayden Award Committee Chairman Alan L. Marden, a North Adams city councilor. "And, with two such nominees, our choice seemed overwhelmingly self-evident. Over the extraordinary, and probably never-to-be-duplicated lengthy tenures of Rep. Daniel Bosley and Mayor John Barrett III, both have made significant contributions to the economic, social and cultural improvement of the Berkshire communities they served.
"Their joint work in establishing the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art alone makes them worthy Hayden Award recipients, but both did so much more; and with each ending their public elective service, this is the time to recognize such contributions."
The Hayden Award has been presented annually since 1969. The first recipient was the late Donald Thurston. Among the most recent recipients are George Fairs, Mary and Henry Flint, Eric Rudd, George Kennedy, Joseph H. Wolfe, Donald R. Dubendorf, Joseph Thompson, Marci and Sandy Plumb, John DeRosa, Bruce Grinnell, Hulda Hardman-Jowett, Stephen A. Green, Stephen Pagnotta, and last year's recipient, Bernie Pinsonnault.
The chamber will present the award at the annual meeting on Friday, Dec. 17, 7:30 a.m., at the Crowne Plaza. Tickets are $30 each and are still available at www.berkshirechamber.com or by calling 413-499-4000.
