Williamstown digest

12:00AM / Wednesday, March 24, 2004Print Story | Email Story

Lee Harrison

Harrison elected WILLIAMSTOWN - Lee Harrison, for the past four years chairman of the Williamstown Democratic Town Committee, has been elected to the Democratic State Committee. The election, held Saturday, March 13, at the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, was the first Senate District conference in this area in many years, occasioned by vacancies when 20-year member Clifford Nylen attained life-member status and Claire Rowley of Dalton declined to seek reelection. Also elected was Rhonda Serre of Pittsfield, who works in U.S. Rep. John Olverâ€™s office. Other Berkshire County State Committee members are Margaret Ware of Williamstown, Mary K. Oâ€™Brien, Peter G. Arlos and Nylen, as well as affirmative action appointee, former Mayor Sara Hathaway, all of Pittsfield. Harrison, who joined the town committee in the 1980s, said, â€œMy whole intent is to broaden the base of the Democratic Party throughout Berkshire County, to reach out to young people especially. I want to lower the average age and raise the energy level.â€ He added, â€œThere is such passion out there, such outrage at the way things are going, whether itâ€™s jobs, the war or John Ashcroft. People are looking for a way to unseat George W. Bush. People want to elect John Kerry. People who never contributed are contributing to John Kerryâ€™s campaign. People who have contributed are contributing more.â€ Harrison, born in Worcester, is marketing director at EPRIsolutions, a consulting and research company and for-profit subsidiary of the nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute based in Palo Alto. EPRIsolutions runs the old high-voltage laboratory on East New Lenox Road. The state committee traditionally is composed of two females and two males whose four-year terms coincide with presidential primaries, and one female and one male from the Berkshire/Hampshire/ Franklin County District, elected by caucus every two years. Employee appreciation WILLIAMSTOWN â€” The League of Women Voters of Williamstown is seeking more nominations for the most appreciated town employee. â€œWe know that many of our neighbors have had emergencies handled well by someone from the townâ€™s services, that we often feel that there was a way to say a bigger â€œthank youâ€ that goes beyond the personal gratitude we feel,â€ the League said in a news release. â€œWe want everyone in town to know what an outstanding person this town employee is.â€ All town employees, including those at the elementary school, are eligible. â€œThe promptly arriving snow plow, the ever helpful librarians, the cemetery workers, the magnificent policemen who do so much more than just keeping order, the firemen who protect our homes, the excellent town manager, everyone in the municipal building â€” what would we do without them?â€ asked the League in its release. Nomination forms are available at the Milne Public Library and the municipal building or e-mail the League at lwvwmst@aol.com and a form will be sent. School choice WILLIAMSTOWN â€” Applications for the admission of children under the stateâ€™s school choice program are being accepted by the Williamstown Public Schools for the following grade levels: Grade 1, five openings; grade 2, six openings; grade 3, one opening; grade 4, four openings; grade 5, one opening; and grade 6, six openings. Applications are also being accepted for kindergarten, but space availability may not be determined until spring. Preference will be given to siblings of children currently enrolled through school choice. All school-choice and out-of-state applications and placements are contingent upon projected space availability for September. Parents interested in enrolling their children for September should submit a letter requesting admission to: Superintendentâ€™s Office, Williamstown Public Schools, 115 Church St., Williamstown, MA 01267. Requests for admission should be received by Friday, April 30. If applications received exceed the openings, admission will be determined by lottery, to be conducted the first week of May. Lenten lecture WILLIAMSTOWN â€” The Rev. Dr. John Eusden and Lauren Stevens will lead a discussion of the Earth Charter, an international effort towards world peace and environmental sensitivity, at noon on Sunday, March 28, at the First Congregational Church-United Church of Christ of Williamstown. It will be the last event in the churchâ€™s 2004 Lenten lectures series. At its annual meeting in January 2003, the membership of First Church endorsed the Earth Charter and called on other Congregational churches in Massachusetts to do likewise. The Earth Charter is based on the idea that â€œthe dominant patterns of production and consumption are causing our environmental devastation,â€ but that humans have the opportunity to choose a more positive approach. For more information, visit www.earthcharter.org. Both Stevens and Eusden are long-time members of First Congregational. Stevens recently retired as moderator of the congregation, and Eusden, an ordained UCC minister, served the church as interim pastor from 1976-1977. Eusden teaches courses on environmental ethics and aesthetics and space at Williams College, and he also consults on environmental conferences. Stevens was instrumental is the founding and continuing work of the Hoosic River Watershed Association. The program will not last longer than an hour. Lunch will be available for $4 per person. Childcare will be available at $5 per hour per family. All monies raised will benefit the Habitat Crew, an ecumenical youth service group sponsored by First Church. The First Congregational Church is at 906 Main St., at the corner of Main Street (Route 2) and Chapin Hall Drive. The building is fully accessible to the handicapped, and ample parking is available behind the church. Information: church office, 458-4273, e-mail fcc.willi@verizon.net or visit www.fccwilli.org . Side by Side WILLIAMSTOWN â€” Applications are being accepted for the Williamstown Elementary Schoolâ€™s Side by Side preschool program for the 2004-2005 school year. Openings are anticipated for 3-and 4-year-olds in the morning, afternoon and full-day sessions. Developmental inclusion is a form of school programming that brings together in one classroom children with and without special needs. Side by Side reflects the philosophy that inclusive education is a valuable school experience for all children. Side by Side is a five-day-a-week preschool that follows the public schoolâ€™s calendar. It is located in the elementary school, 115 Church St. Each session is taught by a Department-of-Education-certified teacher and a trained classroom aide. If there are applications than available slots, a lottery will be held on April 14. Information, and to apply: Williamstown Elementary School, 458-5707. DEATHS William Wolcott Baker, 80, of 1388 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams, died Monday March 22, at his home, surrounded by family. He was born in Adams, on June 4, 1923, a son of William A. Baker and Evelyn (Bussiere) Baker. He attended schools in Adams, including the former Adams High School. He furthered his studies at home to become a contractor. Mr. Baker was a veteran of World War II and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from February 5, 1943, until his honorable discharge with the rank of staff sergeant on Nov. 29, 1945. He was stationed in Hawaii and served in the Pacific Theater with the 868th Bombardment Squadron, participating in several campaigns, including New Guinea, Northern Solomons, Eastern Mandates, Bismarck Archipelago, Western Pacific and Southern Philippines. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Victory Medal. Following his military service, he joined his fatherâ€™s business, the William A. Baker & Sons Contracting Co, where he worked for many years. He then worked at the Cornish Wire Co. for a short time and later for several area contractors, including Fred Marsh and the Gordon & Sutton Co. He was self-employed for a short time and later was foreman of production at the former Berga-Ullman Co. in North Adams, building weaving looms. He last worked as a building superintendent at 85 Main St., North Adams for the John W. Bond Estates Co. until his retirement. He was a communicant of the former Our Lady of the Incarnation Church, now Our Lady of Mercy Shrine, and was a former member of its Holy Name Society. He also was involved in the remodeling of the church. He was a life member of the Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion in North Adams. He was a past president of the former Lafayette Club and a former member of the carpentersâ€™ union. He enjoyed bowling and horse racing and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. He leaves his wife, the former Norma Mary Urbano, whom he married on Sept. 14, 1946, in St. Anthony of Padua Church; a son, North Adams Police Officer William D. Baker of Williamstown; four daughters, Patricia A. Campedelli and Lynne M. Burdick of North Adams, Nancy J. Strauss of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Lisa J. Whitney of Williamstown; 13 granchildren and nieces and nephews. Three brothers, Robert, Donald and Earl Baker, and a sister, Florence Shedlock, are deceased. The funeral will be Friday at 9:15 a.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna funeral home, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. The Rev. Daniel Oâ€™Hear, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Church, will celebrate a funeral Mass at 10 at Our Lady of Mercy Shrine, Massachusetts Avenue, North Adams. Burial will be at a later date in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are tonight from from 6 to 8. Memorial donations are suggested to the Leukemia Society, through the funeral home. Ernest Roy â€œBudâ€ Nicklien Sr., 74, of 342 Potter Road, Williamstown, died Saturday, March 20, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Williamstown on April 4, 1929, a son of Walter and Bernice (Hewes) Nicklien. He attended schools in Williamstown, including the Little Red School House and Williamstown Public Schools. He was employed at the Eldridge Farm in South Williamstown as a young man before enlisting in the Army. He was a decorated veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving with the Army from March 16,1951, to March 7, 1953, as a private first class. He was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He received the Korean Service Medal from both the United States and the Republic of Korea. His three Bronze Service Stars recognized his fighting in three major battles. After his military career, he worked at the Cornish Wire Co. in Williamstown and then at Mount Hope Farm from 1957 to 1962. In 1962, he established the Nicklienâ€™s Shell Gas & Service Station on Main Street and worked there from 1962 to 1972. He then worked for late brother, Walter, as a carpenter. He last worked for 20 years as the foreman for the Williamstown Highway Department, retiring in 1992. He was a longtime member of the Second Congregational Church of South Williamstown and of the Williamstown VFW Post 8304, where he was the first commander, from1992 to 1995. He leaves his wife, Virginia (Jimmo) Nicklien, whom he married on Oct. 19,1957, in the Second Congregational Church of South Williamstown; five daughters, Betty Sylvester of Williamstown, Tina Bolner of North Adams, Misty Pitrovich of Stevens, Pa., and Rebecca Hassan and Lisa Spencer of Lanesboro; two sons, Ernest Roy Nicklien Jr. of Williamstown and Shawn Nicklien of Pownal,Vt.; a sister, Clare Burgermaster of Williamstown; 13 grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by three brothers and one sister, Walter, Arthur, William and Betty Ann Nicklien. The funeral was at the Second Congregational Church in South Williamstown, with the Rev. Penny Rich Smith, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors followed in Eastlawn Cemetery,Williamstown. Memorial donations are suggested for the Second Congregational Church, through the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna funeral home, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. N. Janet (Norcross) Olson, 78, of 96 Emerald Lane, Williamstown, died Saturday, March 20, at North Adams Regional Hospital. She was born in North Adams on Nov. 30, 1925, a daughter of Ralph W. Norcross and Naomi (Pheulpin) Norcross. She attended schools in Clarksburg and North Adams and graduated from Drury High School in 1943. She was employed for 25 years as buyer and store manager of the womenâ€™s department at the former Roberts Co. department store in North Adams. She was a member of St. Johnâ€™s Episcopal Church in North Adams, where she was a member of the St. Johnâ€™s Womenâ€™s Guild. She leaves her husband, George W. Olson, whom she married on Oct. 26,1946, at St. Johnâ€™s Episcopal Church in North Adams; two daughters, Carol Agnew of Williamstown and Nancy Roberts of Niceville, Fla.; a brother, Murray C. Norcross of Adams; a sister, Shirley Cahoon of the state of Florida; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday Funeral Services to celebrate the life of N. Janet at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna funeral home, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, with the Rev. Edward King, rector of St. Johnâ€™s Episcopal Church of North Adams, officiating. Burial will take place in the springtime in the family plot in Clarksburg Cemetery. Memorial Donations are suggested for the Davis Wing at the Sweet Brook Health Care Centers, through the funeral home.

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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

02:13PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."

The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School.

The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday.

The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season.

The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations.

"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.

"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."

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