Great Barrington Announces Personnel Changes

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Great Barrington, Mass. — Josh Risen has been promoted to the position of Great Barrington town clerk, one of several new appointments in Town Hall. 
 
Risen joined the town in September 2023 as office administrator for the town manager and selectboard, after working in administrative roles in the town of Sheffield. He earned a law degree from Western New England University Law School and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2011. As Town Clerk, Risen will serve as the town's chief election officer and maintain and preserve the town's archives and vital records, among other roles.
 
"I'm very much looking forward to working with Josh in his capacity as Town Clerk, as he has proven himself as a hard worker and he is well respected among staff and the residents we serve," said Town Manager Mark Pruhenski. "I'm confident he has the skills and abilities to succeed in this role",
 
Natalie Amendola, who joined the town manager and selectboard office in January as administrative assistant, has been promoted to the office administrator role. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany and has previously worked as associate for student development at Columbia–Greene Community College.
 
In the Board of Health department, James Massey has been appointed as health inspector, bringing his extensive background as an executive chef in the hospitality and healthcare industries. He has worked for Canyon Ranch in Lenox and Tucson, Essex (VT) Resort and Spa, Trinity Health Services and other settings. He has also operated his own food and beverage consulting business in the Berkshire area.
 
"Natalie's promotion to the role of office administrator is well-deserved too," said Pruhenski. "Although she's only been here for a short period of time, she is clearly a self-starter and incredibly capable of managing our busy administration office with ease. I'm also looking forward to working with James and welcoming him to our team here in GB".
 
Risen succeeds Jennifer Messina, who departed the Great Barrington position for a new opportunity.

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Monument Mountain Scholarships & Awards for 2026

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The following awards and scholarships were awarded to the Monument Mountain Regional High School class of 2026 on Thursday, June 4.

Joseph & Dolores Aberdale Memorial Scholarship: Caroline Becker Adams Community Bank Scholarships: Juan Cambi, Harmony Estrada
Murphy Leary American Legion Post 298 Scholarships: Estelle Baden, Kathryn Barquinero, Caroline Becker, Edward Castille, Lotus Cohen, Mabel Cooney, Reese Duchesne, Griffin Touponce
Robert Annelli Family Scholarships: Cole Kennedy, Logan Pease Austen Riggs/Erikson Institute Evelyn Stefansson Nef Scholarship: Eleanor Konrad
Jeffrey Baer Memorial Scholarships: Donimic Calautti, Griffin Touponce, Tyler Campbell
Michelle Banach Memorial Scholarship: Sadie Suters
William Bannon Memorial Scholarship: Luna Reynolds
Edward Barrett Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Harvey Ehrbar
Becket Scholarship: Lily Davis
Berkshire Hills Education Association Future Educator Scholarships: Remi Perreault, Brooke Decker
The Shannon McAllister Brownson 'Good Life' Scholarships: Mason Buffoni, Tyler Campbell, Oliver Curtis
Caligari Family Scholarship: Kestrel Duke
Chang Chavkin Scholarships: Gianna Beacco, Ember Raifstanger, Jonah Salzmann
CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame Scholarships: Owen Heck, Mabel Cooney
Rosalie Conte Scholarships: Ember Raifstanger, Estelle Baden, Kestrel Duke, Liam Smith, Sadie Honig-Briggs, Luka Kononenko, Francesca Stanmeyer
Community Television of the Southern Berkshires Scholarship: Ember Raifstanger
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