2 Berkshire Healthcare Staffers Receive Scholarships

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Valerie Boua
Shaun Kennedy
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Two staff members from Berkshire Healthcare have been awarded scholarships through the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation, which for more than 25 years has supported long-term care employees with their career goals.
 
Valerie Boua from Mount Greylock Extended Care Facility in Pittsfield and Shaun Kennedy from Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield have both been awarded scholarships.
 
This year's class of 51 award recipients, most of whom are seeking nursing degrees, will use their scholarships to further their professional development within the long-term care profession. The Foundation Scholars represent a broad cross section of employees and facilities across Massachusetts and were selected from nearly 400 applicants for this year's program, 25 percent more than in 2012.
 
"The scholarships provide a real boost to staff, helping them to complete the education required to reach their professional and personal goals," said Mass Senior Care Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Blanks. "Many of our Scholars have been promoted multiple times, steadily progressing from Certified Nursing Assistant to Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse and beyond."
 
The Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation, the education and research arm of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, has awarded nearly $2.5 million in scholarships since it began supporting long-term care workers in 1985. The Foundation scholarship program is one of several program components that Mass Senior Care has initiated to promote and support lifelong educational and professional development.
 
"Berkshire Healthcare is proud to have such motivated and talented staff members working at our communities," said William Jones, president of Berkshire Healthcare Systems. "We applaud our scholarship winners and thank the Mass Senior Care Foundation for its support of professional growth in the field of long-term care."
 
For more information about Berkshire Healthcare, visit www.berkshirehealthcare.org.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Select Board Argues Over Sidewalk Article

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — A heated discussion concerning sidewalks during Monday night's Select Board meeting resulted in the acting chair calling a recess to cool the situation. 
 
The debate stemmed from the two articles on the town meeting warrant for May 6 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School. 
 
One proposes purchasing a sidewalk paver for $64,000 so sidewalks can be paved or repaired for less money, but they will use asphalt rather than concrete. The other would amend the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks. 
 
The article on concrete sidewalks was added to the warrant through a citizen petition led by resident Todd Logan. 
 
The board was determining whether to recommend the article when member John Boyle took the conversation in a new direction by addressing how the petition was brought about. 
 
"I just have a comment about this whole procedure. I'm very disappointed in the fact that you [Logan] have been working, lobbying various groups and implementing this plan and filed this petition six weeks ago. You never had any respect for the Select Board and …" Boyle said. 
 
Before Boyle could finish his statement, which was directed to Logan, who was in the audience, Chair Joe Diver called point of order via Zoom. 
 
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