BOSTON — The state Department of Transportation has selected snowplow names submitted by students at Morris Elementary and Pine Cobble schools.
They were among the 12 winning classrooms for the third annual "Name A Snowplow" contest for elementary and middle school students.
Katie Simonelli's second-grade class at Morris in Lenox offered the name "Snowana" and Jeff Uhas' fifth grade at Pine Cobble in Williamstown submitted "Ice Ice Baby."
The names will be applied to trucks in District 1, headquartered in Lenox.
"This contest is a great way for schools across the state to connect with the crews who work tirelessly to keep our roads clear each winter," said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. "Thank you to everyone who took part in this contest, and congratulations to our winners."
Last year, fourth-graders at Crosby Elementary School in Pittsfield named a truck "Flurry Fighter" and sixth-graders at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School in Shelburne Falls came up with "Sled Zeppelin."
The contest this year received entries from classrooms located across Massachusetts to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows within the six districts that will be in service during this 2024/2025 winter season. The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to help recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during the winter season.?
One name each is selected from submissions from kindergarten through Grade 4 and from Grades 5 through 8.
"Maintaining safe and clear roads across Massachusetts during winter is no easy task. We appreciate how educators are engaging their students in this fun competition that honors this vital public service," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Congratulations to the winning classrooms, and we look forward to seeing your snowplows out in the field."
Besides District 1, the winners are listed below.
District 2
K-4: "Control-Salt-Delete," Kathleen Koonz's kindergarten at Swift River School in New Salem
Grade 5-8: "It's Snow Problem," Tina DeLullo's Grade 6, Paul R. Baird Middle School in Ludlow
District 3
K-4: "Abominable Plowman," Kimberly Tremlett's fourth grade, Brophy Elementary School in Framingham
Grade 5-8: "Mac N' Freeze," Abby Normandin's fifth grade, Oak Street Elementary School in Franklin
District 4
K-4: "Snow Force One," Kristen Butler's kindergarten, Great Oak Elementary School in Danvers
Grade 5-8: "Blizzard Buster," Gabrielle Campbell's seventh grade, North Andover Middle School
District 5
K-4: "Taylor Drift," Lisa Perry's first grade, Dighton Elementary School
Grade 5-8: "C3P Snow," Deborah Stratton's fifth grade, St. Mary's Catholic School in Mansfield
District 6
K-4: "Ice S'now More," Kathleen Blaho's fourth grade, St. Mary of the Hills School in Milton
Grades 5-8: "Meltin' John," Sean Milligan's eighth grade, Manville School in Boston
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Williamstown Government Presents Communication Plan
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williamstown is working to improve communications with residents.
The town manager told the Select Board last week that the town obtained a Community Compact Best Practices grant from the state's Division of Local Services to fund a consultant from the University of Massachusetts at Boston's Collins Center for Public Management to develop a communications strategy.
Improved communications is a growing concern for small towns like Williamstown, Town Manager Robert Menicocci told the board.
"The world has changed with social media," Menicocci said. "The expectations of what a community communicates to its citizens — the game has been upped.
"I think this was a new area for government and many communities are looking at a need to staff up to address communications, where, in the past, maybe a big city would have a communications director. Now that has trickled down to almost all small communities."
To that end, the town has completely revamped its website and hired its first communications director — both steps that were included in the November 2025 Collins Center report, "Roadmap for Inclusive and Accessible Municipal Communications in Williamstown, Mass."
Brianna Sunryd, a public services manager at the Collins Center, presented her group's findings to the Select Board.
Qwanell Bradley scored 33 points, and Adan Wicks added 29 as the Hoosac Valley boys basketball team won a Division 5 State Championship on Sunday. click for more
The cost to stabilize the bank of the Hoosic River near a town landfill continues to rise, and the town is still waiting on the commonwealth's blessing to get to work. click for more
The Williamstown Police Department last month reached a major milestone in its effort to earn accreditation from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission. click for more
Adan Wicks scored 38 points, and the eighth-seeded Hoosac Valley basketball team Saturday rallied from a nine-point first-half deficit to earn a 76-67 win over top-seeded Drury in the Division 5 State Quarter-Finals. click for more