"Blending Generations in the Workplace"

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WILLIAMSTOWN – Williamstown Commons, Berkshire Works Career and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, are co-sponsoring a special presentation by nationally-known speaker Liz Ashe, M.Ed on the issue of “Blending Generations in the Workplace.” Scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, October 2nd at Williamstown Commons, 25 Adams Road, Williamstown, the event is free and open to the public, and business leaders and managers are particularly encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served beginning at 5 p.m.

For the first time in American history, four different generations are working together, and now, the largest generation since the baby-boomers is entering the workforce. Ashe’s program will define the four distinct generations, help participants develop an appreciation for the uniqueness of each generation, show what once motivated, challenged and satisfied employees will not work in tomorrow’s workplace, explore ways to blend the generations that taps the wealth of talent and abilities, and offer tips for maintaining, motivating and connecting with the younger generations.

“Today, more than ever we are seeing a very diverse mix of young technology-savvy employees working shoulder-to-shoulder with many older workers,” said Williamstown Commons Administrator Joyce Brewer. “It is very important to understand that fact and find ways to make the most out of each and every employee’s skills and unique talents.”

For more than 25 years, Liz Ashe, M.Ed., has presented seminars, workshops and keynote speeches to organizations and associations at the state, regional and national level. She has written for several publications and has a collection of essays entitled, The Web of Life – How to Deal with the Sticky Stuff. Ashe is a member of the National Speaker’s Association and the New England chapter. For five years she served on the New England board in various positions including Vice President of Professional Development. Currently Director of Training for Affiliated Healthcare Systems (AHS) of Maine, Liz develops and conducts seminars for their Employee Assistance Program and is the author of the EAP bimonthly publication “Of Interest.” In this capacity she provides programs to over 130 organizations with audiences ranging from union and non-union laborers to executive leaders. Liz received her Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees at the University of Maine.

Please RSVP by September 30th to Judy Bombardier at Williamstown Commons by calling 413-458-2111.
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Williamstown Planning Board Narrowing in on Subdivision Bylaw Changes

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Planning Board late last month discussed specific features of what it plans to pass as a new subdivision control bylaw this year.
 
The board long has discussed the complex set of regulations as being out of date and cumbersome to both potential developers and the board itself, which has needed to hear requests for waivers of outdated rules for the handful of residential subdivisions that have been proposed in town in recent years.
 
This spring, the town engaged consultants from Northampton's Dodson and Flinker Landscape Architecture and Planning to go through the existing bylaw, compare it to more contemporary regulations in other communities and help craft a revised bylaw.
 
Unlike the zoning bylaw, where amendments require approval of town meeting, the subdivision control bylaw is a creation of the Planning Board, which can make changes on its own after a public hearing process it hopes to complete this year.
 
At a special Planning Board meeting on May 26, Dillon Sussman of Dodson and Flinker and his colleagues walked the board through a dozen different decision points that the board must resolve — either by leaving the bylaw as is or making a change — and offered suggestions based on best practices.
 
All of the issues are technical and ranged from the fundamental, like how the bylaw will define types of subdivisions, to the highly specific, like what turning radii will be required in new streets that are constructed to serve planned developments.
 
One example of a topic that came up in the recent approval of a four-home subdivision off Summer Street is stormwater management.
 
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