Coalition Delivers Spring Neighborlies at Award Ceremony

By John DurkaniBerkshires Staff
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Mayor Richard Alcombright speaks to a crowded Congregation Beth Israel during the Spring Neighborlies award ceremony on Wednesday evening. For more photos, click here to view the slideshow.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire Community Coalition director Al Bashevkin told a packed Congregation Beth Israel that when big disasters happen, people try to help, whether by visiting the lands and lending a hand or donating money.

But on Wednesday, he wanted to recognize something different — being a good neighbor.

"It's about building community," Bashevkin said at the coalition's Spring Neighborlies award night. "And it's about responding to the little things that go on in all of our lives."
 
Mayor Richard Alcombright presented the awards, which were announced by the coalition's Wendy Krom and Steve Green, a member of the coalition's board of directors.
 
"And as we go through these awards today, you're going to recognize that that virtually all of these awards are by people who are giving their most special gift, and that's the gift of time," Alcombright said. "So I personally want to thank each and every one of you."
 
Krom explained that the award, given out in the spring and the fall, recognizes community members who support neighbors, create a healthier environment, improve the quality of life for their neighbors and those who help out with agencies and organizations.
 
"One of the things about this event is that you have the opportunity to thank those people who [we're] grateful for," Krom said.
 
The awards were given out in four categories: Business/Agency Support, Groups Pulling Together, Neighborly Acts and Youth Taking the Lead.
 

Ronald Sheldon poses with Alcombright after receiving his Spring Neighborly award.

The following people and groups received a Spring Neighborly award.
 
Business/Agency Support: Alex Lenski, Frank Busener, Cara Sheedy, Mark Rondeau, Craig Cahoon, Felicia Pharr, Kerry Koehler, Penny Caren, Gloria Senecal, Paul McClellan, Andre Thomas, Edward Pratt, Karen La Bombard, Gracie Vincent, Chris Bonnivier and Alexis Bartos.
 
Groups Pulling Together: Alex Daugherty, Carolyn Leab, Jeanne Feder, Darlene Ellis, Rachelle Smith, Steve Green and Sue Walker, Crista Therrien, Catrina Therrien, Linnea Nelson, Danielle Maynard, John Ritcher, Prinny Moylan, Craig and Cristin Lawson, Tom Alexander, Valerie Schwarz, Lisa LaBonte, volunteers at Berkshire Dream Center, Pat Stefanski, Ivelisse Rodriguez, Helen Puccio, Elaine Mattern, Carol Estes, Joe DeOrdio, Rich Davis, Dan Connerton, Fran Berasi, Aldona Adams, and Ronald Sheldon.
 
Neighborly Acts: Jennifer Krouse, the Shustack family, Kate Merrigan, Kathy Keeser, Frank Engels, Tim Randall, Rob and Laura Lee O'Neil, Tristan Wilson, Kim McMann, Robin Avery, Shaun LaValley, Ed LaCosse, Andrea Estrada, Brian Isaac, Clarissa Granados, Cindy McCormick, Chanel Zhan, Erin Curley, Gillian Miller-Lewis, Hana Tomozawa, Iliana Hagenah, Ed Noel, Joshua Clairmont, Judy Sheehan, Kyla Graves, Kaitlin Macholz, Linnea Nelson, Megan Hartney, Michael Ziemlak, Nicholas Hernigle, Jane Campbell, Rachel Essner, Robin Lippman, Rachelle Smith, Sara Hassan, Rachel Ji, Eric Wilson, Susan Beauchamp, Ronald Sheldon, Patty Erdeski, Kathy Pindick, Jenna Bunn, Sandra Horsfall, William Schrade, Greg Charon Sr., Molly Meczywor, Barb Bessette, Beverly Favreau, Dennis and Diane Lawson, Bernie and Fran Bassi, Marjorie Foley, Linda Greenbush, Tom Leonesio, Mary Rosasco, Ed Morandi, Robert Therrien, Joseph Greenbush, Lauren Bolio, Linda Greenbush, Scott Koczela, Enid Shields, Shirley Wolfe, Lorraine Maloney, Jim Wolfe, Rich Wolfe, Paul Marino, Jon Lev, Linda Reardon, the parents of Brendan Piaggi, the parents of Brian Beaudreau, Ellen Sutherland, the parents of Evan Canales, Jeff Levanos, Danielle Maynard, Joe Greenbush, Marsha Mikuscewski, Jeff Markland, and Rachel Lipton.
 
Youth Taking the Lead: Kira Armstrong, Mike Schmidt, Adam Tobin, Bradley Thurston, Stacia Sweet, Steffi Neff, Brina Brazee, Hannah Senay, Brianna Shade, Kianna Gardner, Kevin Gardner, Brian Beaudreau, Brendan Piaggi and Evan Canales.

Tags: awards,   NBCC,   neighborlies,   

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Williamstown Charter Review Panel OKs Fix to Address 'Separation of Powers' Concern

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter.
 
The committee accepted language designed to meet concerns raised by the Planning Board about separation of powers under the charter.
 
The committee's original compliance language — Article 32 on the annual town meeting warrant — would have made the Select Board responsible for determining a remedy if any other town board or committee violated the charter.
 
The Planning Board objected to that notion, pointing out that it would give one elected body in town some authority over another.
 
On Wednesday, Charter Review Committee co-Chairs Andrew Hogeland and Jeffrey Johnson, both members of the Select Board, brought their colleagues amended language that, in essence, gives authority to enforce charter compliance by a board to its appointing authority.
 
For example, the Select Board would have authority to determine a remedy if, say, the Community Preservation Committee somehow violated the charter. And the voters, who elect the Planning Board, would have ultimate say if that body violates the charter.
 
In reality, the charter says very little about what town boards and committees — other than the Select Board — can or cannot do, and the powers of bodies like the Planning Board are regulated by state law.
 
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