Williams Economics Professor receives regional Science Award

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Roger Bolton, the William Brough Professor of Economics, Emeritus, at Williams College has received the David Boyce Award for "service to the field of regional science." The David Boyce Award is given by the Council of the North American Regional Science Association (NARSC) to acknowledge the activity of a prominent figure in regional science and reward outstanding service contributions made to a regional science organization. The award recognizes Bolton's work as a book review editor of the Journal of Regional Science. Through his editorship, he promoted the multidisciplinary field of research by economists, geographers, historians, planners, and transportation analysts. Bolton is known for having turned part of the Journal of Regional Science into "the most stimulating review section in all the urban and regional journals world." He transformed review writing into an art, "reflecting his own intellectual curiosity, his broad knowledge, and his love for places and all matters urban and regional." The journal now publishes 60 or more reviews a year. Besides the Journal of Regional Science, Bolton has served on the editorial boards of the Canadian Journal of Regional Science, Growth and Change, and Annals of Regional Science. He was co-editor of the International Regional Science Review for five years, where he introduced special issues on the regional dimensions of Chinese economic reforms and on regional input-output analysis. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles, and the author or co-author of four books, including "Defense Purchases and Regional Growth." In 2002, he was a member of the National Research Council Committee that authored the book "Community and Quality of Life." Bolton joined the Williams faculty in 1966. His fields of interest include regional and urban economics, geography, history of economic thought, and the philosophy of Jurgen Habermas. His research focused on defense purchases and regional growth, as well as regional policy, with a concern for economic interpretations of place, and Arthur Latham Perry, a 19th -century Williams College economist. During his tenure at Williams, he was chair of the economics department, chair of the Committee on Environmental Studies, and first director of the Francis Oakley Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Williams College recently appointed him to coordinate its Self Study for College Accreditation. Bolton received his B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and his doctorate from Harvard University. Bolton has served the community on the Williamstown Planning Board, Rural Lands Foundation, Hoosic River Watershed Association, and the Berkshire County Regional Planning Commission, from which he received its award for outstanding contribution to planning in 1988.
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National Grid Hosts Customer Assistance Events In The Berkshires

WALTHAM, Mass. — National Grid will hold a series of in-person Customer Assistance Events this December. 
 
As colder weather sets in, these events are designed to help customers manage winter energy bills and explore cost-saving programs.
 
In Berkshire County:
  • Dec. 4 – Town Library, Williamstown, 4:00pm – 8:00pm, 1095 Main Street, Williamstown
  • Dec. 5 – National Grid Great Barrington Office, 11:00am – 2:00pm, 927 South Main Street, Great Barrington
  • Dec. 5 – Sheffield Bushnell-Sage Library, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, 97 Main Street, Sheffield
Many of these events will continue to take place at local senior centers, making it convenient for older residents to access personalized assistance. Attendees at any location will have direct access to National Grid Customer Service Specialists, who can provide personalized guidance on payment options and energy solutions to meet each household's needs.
 
"As December begins, customers still have opportunities to find support and manage energy costs," said Bill Malee, chief customer officer, National Grid. "We're proud to host many of these events at local senior centers, ensuring customers have easy access to the support they need. Our in-person events are a great way for customers to connect with our team, learn about flexible payment options, and discover energy-saving programs that can help make a real difference this season."
 
Customers attending in-person events will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from National Grid, who will be on-site to assist with billing issues and provide information on:
  • Enrolling in National Grid's new Payment Assistance Bundle
  • Enrolling in Budget Billing
  • Enrolling in the Energy Discount Rate (for qualifying customers)
  • Scheduling home energy assessments and sharing information on other energy efficiency opportunities for homes or businesses 
These events are part of National Grid's broader commitment to affordability and reliability. Customers can also access support by calling 1-800-233-5325.
 
National Grid customers can now sign up for a new Payment Assistance Bundle. The bundle combines three solutions to make it easier for managing energy costs and paying down past due amounts over a 12-month period.
  • Deferred Payment Agreement: Spread out past-due balance into future monthly payments.
  • Automatic Monthly Payments: Automatically deduct payments from your bank account each month and avoid missing due dates.
  • Budget Plan: Break down annual energy costs into balanced monthly payments, making it easier to budget and plan expenses.
Customers interested in enrolling in the Payment Assistance Bundle can do so online by visiting ngrid.com/hereforyou, at an in-person event, or by calling 1-800-233-5325.
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