Clarksburg Names Town Administrator Finalists

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — A veteran administrator has been named as one of two finalists for the town administrator position.

The names of Thomas Webb, current town administrator of Cheshire, and Lenox attorney Barbara Kellogg were announced Friday morning at a brief meeting of the board.

Webb, of Williamstown, took the part-time Cheshire job in 2008, replacing Mark Webber. He worked for Berkshire Housing for 19 years, leaving as a senior vice president to establish Berkshire Home Works LLC, a property management company.

The candidates are expected to be interviewed next Wednesday, May 9, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the town offices.

"I don't think you can go wrong with either one," said Selectwoman Lily Kuzia.

The board, however, could could not come to a consensus when it came to appointing a town accountant. The two finalists for the 8-hour position are Town Treasurer Christa Marsh and Town Clerk Carol Jammalo.

They were interviewed on Tuesday morning; both spoke of their accounting knowledge and willingness to be available during the hours the board determined.


Chairman Carl McKinney and Kuzia both said it was very difficult to pick between them.

McKinney said Marsh had struggled with some components of the treasurer's position but he was impressed by her initiative and work with the town accountant.

Kuzia, however, said that since both were equally good candidates, she was basing her decisions "on past work performance" and selected Jammalo.

At an impasse, the board said it would take up the issue again next week. McKinney warned that the town needed someone in the post soon because the next Schedule A forms were due to the state in June or the quarterly $500,000 in state aid would be delayed.

The town lost both its town administrator and accountant to the city of North Adams over the past few months.

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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