Local Students Earn Williams College Degrees

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College President Adam F. Falk conferred Bachelor of Arts degrees to nine local graduates at the college's 228th commencement on Sunday, June 4.

Hinsdale, Mass.

Ivy Adair Ciaburri, daughter of Michael and Diane Ciaburri, majored in biology and French. Ciaburri received highest honors in biology and was elected to the scientific honor society Sigma Xi.

Pittsfield, Mass.

Megan Katherine Bird, cum laude, daughter of Laurence and Kelly Bird, majored in psychology. Bird was a member of the Aristocows, a Disney a cappella group; and participated in concert choir.

Williamstown, Mass.

Luke Thomas Costley, son of Liz and Tom Costley, majored in art. Costley was a junior adviser to the Class of 2019, a member of the Nordic ski team and was awarded the Ralph J. Townsend Award in skiing.

William M. Kirby, son of Kris Kirby and Mary Mullen-Kirby, majored in physics. Kirby graduated with highest honors and was a member of Sigma Xi and Phi Beta Kappa. He participated in the concert and chamber choirs and was a member of the rock climbing club. He was a 2016 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar in physics and received the William W. Kleinhandler Prize for Excellence in Music.

Jackson E. Parese, son of Stanley Parese and Judith Fraser, majored in history. Parese was a junior advisor and was on the varsity baseball team.

Rohan Raj Shastri, son of Naveena and Ranjit Shastri, majored in political science and was on the men's varsity tennis team.

Williamstown Fire Committee Talks Station Project Cuts, Truck Replacement

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Friday, April 26, 2024

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday signed off on more than $1 million in cost cutting measures for the planned Main Street fire station.

 

Some of the "value engineering" changes are cosmetic, while at least one pushes off a planned expense into the future.

 

The committee, which oversees the Fire District, also made plans to hold meetings over the next two Wednesdays to finalize its fiscal year 2025 budget request and other warrant articles for the May 28 annual district meeting. One of those warrant articles could include a request for a new mini rescue truck.

 

The value engineering changes to the building project originated with the district's Building Committee, which asked the Prudential Committee to review and sign off.

 

In all, the cuts approved on Wednesday are estimated to trim $1.135 million off the project's price tag.

 

The biggest ticket items included $250,000 to simplify the exterior masonry, $200,000 to eliminate a side yard shed, $150,000 to switch from a metal roof to asphalt shingles and $75,000 to "white box" certain areas on the second floor of the planned building.

 

The white boxing means the interior spaces will be built but not finished. So instead of dividing a large space into six bunk rooms and installing two restrooms on the second floor, that space will be left empty and unframed for now.