The following is a summary of a recent meeting focusing on parking issues in the Williamstown area
A number concerned retailers met with Williamstown Chamber Executive Director Christine Ross, Police Chief Arthur Parker, Police Officer Scott McGowan of the Traffic Safety Unit, and Williams College Security Associate Director David Boyer to discuss parking issues on and around Spring Street.
There were a number of problems identified, some short term and other related to long range town planning. The group devised a plan to deal with the more immediate problems while the community continues work on the master plan.
As a first step, this group decided to pursue better communication between the town, the college, retailers and citizens on overall parking enforcement, long-term parking options and the general repeated abuse, by a variety of individuals, of Spring Street parking slots.
The police department made its enforcement policy clear: they will enforce the one-hour parking limits in a gentle but consistent manner. Officer McGowan offered when possible, to speak directly to the violators in an effort to educate and improve sensitivity to this issue.
The College Security office agreed to communicate more regularly with Police to discourage consistent long-term violators both on the Street and behind the retail business. The Security and Police Departments will now begin sharing information regarding vehicles that are consistently in violation of parking laws.
We have opened the lines of communication with the student body. Christine Ross attended a College Council meeting on February 26. At this time the Council voted to support this letter.
The last portion of our plan is communication directly with Spring Street business in order to give everyone a first hand view of the intricacies of parking problems. The Chamber will visit each merchant on the Street to discuss the situation. Officer McGowan will also be visiting merchants to explain the initiative from the department's perspective.
It is imperative that all business owners enforce the parking rules within their organizations. No employee or storeowner should be parked on Spring Street. Every space that is taken away by one of those cars, leaves one less for a paying customer. We encourage everyone trying to access long-term parking to place vehicles in the back half at the lower end of Spring Street.
At the meeting there was a real spirit of cooperation and an interest in tackling Williamstown's parking problems through thoughtful collaboration. Please contact any of the individuals below with suggestions so that we can all be part of the solution.
Chief Arthur Parker- Williamstown Police
David Boyer- Associate Director, Williams College Security
Christine Ross- Executive Director, Williamstown Chamber
Ching Ho- College Council President, Williams College
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North Adams Awarded Grant to Support First Responder Health, Wellness
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) to support the health and wellness of local first responders through advanced, preventative medical screenings.
The grant will allow the City to offer comprehensive cardiac-focused health screenings to all North Adams Police and Fire personnel. The program goes beyond a standard annual physical and is designed to provide early insight into cardiovascular health risks commonly faced by Public Safety professionals.
Screenings will include advanced lipid and biomarker testing, along with personalized health consultations, delivered in partnership with Sigma Tactical Wellness, a nationally recognized provider specializing in first responder wellness.
"We know that a troubling percentage of officers die within ten years of retirement," said Mark Bailey, Chief of Police. "My priority is ensuring that our officers are healthy during their careers and well beyond them. This grant allows us to focus on early detection and long-term wellness so our officers can look forward to — and fully enjoy — their retirement."
Chief Brent Lefebvre, Fire Chief, echoed the importance of the program.
"Firefighters face elevated cardiovascular risks throughout their careers. This grant gives our members the opportunity to better understand their health and take preventative steps — at no cost to them — which ultimately strengthens our Department and the community we serve."
Participation in the program is voluntary, and all health information collected will remain strictly confidential.
Samuel Currence served his country in the Air Force with distinction, professionalism and unparalleled humility from 1962 to 1985, retiring as a technical sergeant. click for more
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.
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