Rose Hammann honored for extraordinary service in Williamstown
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Every weekday morning, Rose Hammann unlocks the door at Williamstown's Municipal Building where she is the first one in to work, arriving about 8 a.m. for her job as administrative assistant in the town's assessor's office.Hammann, now 86, has worked for the town for 39 years, putting her at the top of the seniority list. And Saturday, she was honored with a certificate of appreciation for "extraordinary service," presented by Town Manager Peter Fohlin.
Hammann said, "I'm in my 39th year working for the town. At one time, I wondered whether I'd make 25 years, but 25 came and went, and I'm still here. And I will continue to be here as long as I can.
"It's a privilege working for the town," she said.
Town Director of Financial Services Charles "Chuck" St. John said he had been "Rose's boss" for the past few years, or vice versa.
"Rosie has been a particular blessing for us," said St. John. "And she's seen quite a few changes in her life."
When other employees have expressed reservations about learning to work with computers, St. John uses the example of "a woman," over 80, who mastered the new technology with aplomb.
"She comes into work earlier than anyone else, and hopefully, she'll continue for many more years," said St. John.
Fohlin noted that Hammann, a graduate of Bliss Business College, was paid $1.50 an hour when she went to work for the town in 1963.
"Like others, when she left private industry, she took a cut in pay," said Fohlin. Hammann had received $65 a week at the former Gaevert Film Co.
Fohlin noted that the Berkshire County Retirement Board granted waivers for Hammann, starting in 1985.
He also referenced a 1992 letter from former town manager Steven Ledoux who unaccountably wrote that "it is with sadness that I take note of your intention to retire."
"Well," said Fohlin, "town managers come and go, but Rosie just keeps on ticking."
Fohlin also quoted another, saying, "I wish I had written this" from former town manager LeRoy Picard who, in 1967, wrote to express "my personal, sincere thanks and appreciation for all your efforts in behalf of the assessor's office and the town for the tremendous volume of work accomplished in such a short period of time.
"Rest assured that your efforts and work, not only on this occasion, but also at other times when Harry [Smith, assessor] has complimented you to me on your work do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
"I would like to commend you for a job very well done."
Hammann has worked during the tenure of eight town managers.
She is the second town employee to be honored by the town at a Town Employees Appreciation Day organized by the League of Women Voters. Last year's honoree was Department of Public Works Director Timothy Kaiser.
Early Monday, her framed certificate of appreciation on her desk, Hammann talked about her approach to her job, and a bit about her life.
She sets a pace that few younger people could match. Before arriving for work, for example, she arrives at the Williams College field house at 6:30 a.m. for her daily morning walk.
"I'm keeping active," she said.
Hammann, a North Adams native, worked for the treasurer of Gaevert Film until the firm moved its administrative offices to New York, where she worked for the president, Joseph Gaevert.
"After a year and a half, I came back to Williamstown," she said. "I was tired of living in a hotel and taking all my meals in restaurants."
Hammann was the sole remaining Gaevert employee here when the firm closed its plant Dec. 31, 1951, five days before her son, Ralph, was born. She stayed home for a dozen years until the unexpected death of her husband, also named Ralph, when her sons were ages 11 and 7. Ralph teaches drama and film at Pittsfield High School; John is a builder.
So Rose Hammann went back to work, for the town this time, at the urging of town clerk and accountant Elwood Lamphear.
"When I came to work here, it was the best thing that ever happened to me," she said in a brief interview Monday. In an era in which informality can sometimes shade into sloppiness, Hammann is perfectly coiffed and perfectly turned out.
"I enjoy my work and the people I've worked with," she said. In her previous job, she was a stenographer.
"Coming into this job was altogether different," she said. "I had never been involved with figures before.
"I enjoy being in contact with people and helping them out ... And it's the variety of things that I enjoy."
