DPW workers give the tree a fresh cut before installation.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — City workers installed the two Christmas Trees on Main Street Monday morning preparing the downtown for the holidays.
"Everyone is beeping at us; we have the Christmas music going," Wire and Alarm Inspector Mitchell Meranti said. "This just gets everyone in the holiday spirit. It is a lot of work but at the end of the day when we do the tree lighting the kids love it."
The first tree was transported from Clarksburg to the City Hall end of Main Street. It was donated by the estate of Therese and Bert "Frenchie" Lavoie.
Meranti said the tree is about 25 feet tall and is a Blue Spruce. He said it is a little smaller than past trees.
"It is smaller by a couple of feet and as you know, it is getting tougher and tougher to find them," he said. "It is a great-looking tree, so you don't mind it being a little smaller."
The crew lifted the tree vertically before rotating it around. DPW members shouted out which side was the best looking as the tree slowly spun.
"It is the exact same as setting up a tree at home," Meranti said. "You spin it around until you find the best spot."
The second tree was installed near the monument on the other end of Main Street.
It is closer to 30 feet tall and is also a Blue Spruce. It was donated by Brayton and Beverly Whitney from the Mowhawk Trail.
"We will set this up after we get the cables down and ratchet it down," Meranti said. "We have a good system and have it down pretty good."
After the trees are up, Meranti strings the lights.
"It is a monotonous job, and I will do it over a week," he said. "They will give me a crew of guys and we will make it happen."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
McCann and Taconic Awarded CTI Grants
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $525,482 in Career Technical Initiative (CTI) implementation grants awarded to two organizations in the Berkshires to train 80 individuals for careers in high-demand occupations within the trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors in the region.
In North Adams, McCann Technical School was awarded $344,871 to provide training to 60 participants for Automotive Technician, Advanced Manufacturing, and Welding positions. They will partner with T&M Auto Sales Inc., Berkshire Bridge & Iron Co. Inc., Haddad GMC, Haddad Subaru, Bedard Brothers Auto Sales Inc., Lenco Armored Vehicles, TOG Manufacturing, Sinicon Plastics, Adams Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Gills Point S Tire.
"We are excited to be working with our MassHire team to continue to address our workforce needs and build talent pipelines and career pathways in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding and Automotive Technician," McCann Superintendent James Brosnan said. "This CTI award will provide hands-on training and support as we continue to expand our skilled talent pool for employers in the Berkshires."
In Pittsfield Taconic High School was awarded $180,610 to provide training to 20 participants for Metal Fabrication and Auto Technology positions. They will partner with O.W. Landergren Inc., Lenco Industries Inc., Bedard Brothers, Haddad's Auto Group, and RW's Auto Inc.
"Pittsfield Public Schools is incredibly grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Commonwealth Corporation for the CTI award to Taconic High School. This grant will have a significant and lasting impact on our community by providing skilled technicians to address critical shortages in Berkshire County," said Superintendent Joseph Curtis. "We are excited to partner with Lenco Industries, Haddads, Bedards, RW Auto, O.W. Landergren, Northeast Fabricators, and the MassHire Berkshire Career Center. These partnerships will serve as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that our trainees are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce, while simultaneously strengthening our local economy."
The CTI grant program, a state-funded workforce initiative, partners with career and technical education schools to provide adult learners, especially unemployed and underemployed individuals from underserved populations and underrepresented groups, with career training and technical skills to meet the needs of Massachusetts employers. The program transforms career and technical education schools across the state to become "Career Technical Institutes" that run after dark programs in the construction/trades, manufacturing, and skilled trades career pathways.
"Addressing our workforce needs and building talent pipelines and career pathways in construction, trades and manufacturing sectors is a priority for this administration," said Governor Maura Healey. "CTI offers hands-on training that will support our jobseekers, workers and employers. We're proud to expand the CTI awards to these two schools in the Berkshires to strengthen our workforce and grow our economy throughout the state."
Jesse Saylor of TSKP Studio, the school project designer, said the conductivity of the soils were comparable or better than three recent school completed in Connecticut.
click for more
The School Committee earlier this month approved upping the pay scale by $35 to $55 a day and creating a new base of $130 for substitutes with fewer credentials.
click for more