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Michael Peters is cheers as he takes his retirement ride through the 'car wash' on Thursday.
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Retirees in Clarksburg get the full royal treatment.
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Children line up with printed signs for the car wash.

Clarksburg Custodian Gets Royal Retirement Sendoff

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
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Retiring head custodian Michael Peters with School Committee member Mary Giron, a former longtime employee at the school.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Custodian Michael Peters happily went through the "car wash" on his last day at Clarksburg School on Thursday.
 
It's a tradition at the school to send off their retiring personnel with a hand-waving gauntlet of children and a drive around town in a classy vehicle.
 
Decked out in a crown and a sash declaring "The Legend Has Retired," Peters stepped into Kevin Gamache's 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 to ride by a line of cheering children. 
 
They stood waving and cheering on both sides of the long driveway to the back of the school, with first-graders holding signs saying "Thank you," "Happy Retirement, and "We Love" Mr. Peters. An older student declared, "I'm going to miss him." 
 
Peters,of North Adams, worked for the school for 19 years, the last 16 as the head custodian, and said he felt pretty but also a "little anxious" as he pondered his next chapter. 
 
"It's been fun. It's been really good. Everybody's been really great," said the Clarksburg native. "I've never had a problem with anybody, and it's been fun. It's been a really good, good time here."
 
His last two principals paid him high compliments not only on his work but the extra efforts he's put in over the years. 
 
Oh, I think I think he's been amazing," said Principal Kimberly Rougeau. "He stuck out an extra year for me when I became principal last year, knowing that one more change might be a little tricky. 
 
"He's willing to help out. He sees us working on something, and finds where he can jump in. So he's going to be missed."
 
Tara Barnes, now assistant superintendent, said, "Michael Peters was way more than a custodian for Clarksburg School. He's part of our family. He was reliable, always there for us, and we're going to miss him a lot."
 
Peters wasn't sure what he would be doing next, but would be taking it day by day. 
 
"We'll find out. Yeah, we'll find out," he said. "We'll keep busy though. We got to keep busy."

Tags: Clarksburg School,   retirement,   

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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