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McCann Technical School senior Stephen Perreault poses with family after being presented the Superintendent's Award on Thursday.

McCann's Stephen Perreault Receives Superintendent's Award

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Superintendent James Brosnan makes a socially distanced presentation of the award at the school on Thursday to Stephen Perrault.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School senior Stephen Perreault was recognized Thursday during a small socially distanced award ceremony and given the Superintendent's Award.
 
"It is nice to have a tribute in this room for one of our No. 1 students," Superintendent James Brosnan said. "We have a great deal of pride that we are able to present this award to you." 
 
Each year, superintendents across the state award one student with a Certificate of Academic Excellence, sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.
 
Principal Justin Kratz said Perreault, an advanced manufacturing technology student, has a 4.37 grade-point average and is No. 1 in his class. He has enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement and honors courses and has taken advanced courses at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
 
"We are so proud of your accomplishments," Kratz said. "You have been a model student here at McCann."
 
Kratz read some testimonials from Perreault's teachers:     
 
"He is the portrait of the model student. He is kind, polite and diligent ... he has a knack for critical thinking that is well above his peers."
 
"Last year, Stephen was a rock star in a period of remote learning that was not easy for students by any stretch."
 
"He has always been someone who steps up to challenges ... based on his time at McCann, he will be a strong member of any college campus, enterprise, or whatever field he chooses to enter. I am sure we are not done hearing about his accomplishments."  
 
"He will excel regardless of where he goes. He is one of the most respectful, hardworking students I have ever had. He is definitely deserving of this award."
 
AMT instructor Tom Matuszak, who attended the ceremony, said he was always impressed by Perreault and that he learned how to program a robot remotely.
 
"I am sure his future is bright," he said. "Wherever he goes they are lucky to have him." 
 
Kratz acknowledged Perreault's family and said they surely played their part in his success. 
 
"You have to be incredibly proud of him ... a big part of why he is standing here is because of the support he has at home and the upbringing you provided," he said. "It was a privilege to have him here for four years and we are incredibly proud of him."
 
Perreault said he hopes to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Harvard.
 
He left some advice for other McCann students who may want to follow in his footsteps: don't be afraid to ask for help.
 
"If you are ever stuck on something all you have to do is say something," he said. "You just have to talk to a teacher they are all willing to help."

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Build or Rent: Communities Seek Options to House Public Safety Departments

By John TownesSpecial to iBerkshires
This is the second of two articles looking at examples of how towns and cities are dealing with a common problem of old and inadequate facilities for their public safety operations, including police, fire and emergency medical services. The circumstances and strategies to provide the buildings and infrastructure that are necessary to maintain modern public safety operations vary widely among towns and cities. Read part one here
 
For many years, the town of Lee has had to struggle with an outdated and crowded Police Department station located in its Town Hall, which was built in 1874. Its nearby fire station was originally constructed to house horse-drawn firefighting vehicles.
 
"The Police Department has been crammed into Town Hall and there is not enough room," said Lee Town Administrator Chris Brittain. "We had to fit the police staff on different floors wherever we can find space. In addition, the station was not designed for the Police Department's current needs. For example, our cells do not meet modern standards."
 
The Fire Department complex, including its main station and adjacent buildings and emergency medical services, have had similar problems. He noted that the town had to purchase customized fire trucks to fit through the doors.
 
To solve these and other issues, the town is currently constructing a new public safety complex to house its police, fire and emergency medical services operations and the Building Department on a site at 49 Railroad St. in the town center. It has also relocated its Department of Public Works operations and equipment from there to a more effective site on Pleasant Street in the southern section of Lee.
 
In the first step of the process, the town in 2022 conducted a feasibility study of possible solutions. The study was funded by $70,000 from cannabis impact revenue.
 
"The town did a complete analysis of its public safety needs, including such factors as staffing, equipment, and what was needed to meet call volumes," explained Brittain. "We also looked at potential locations, and the estimated cost of facilities."
 
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