The name will be a decal on the side of the truck this winter season.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Look out for the Flurry Fighter this winter season.
The name submitted by fourth-graders at Crosby Elementary School was selected for one of 12 state highway trucks by the state Department of Transportation. The classroom will get a $100 gift card and a visit from its snowplow truck.
The Name a Snowplow contest received submissions from public elementary and middle schools statewide. A selection panel composed of MassDOT employees chose two school classroom winners located within each of the six Highway Division districts.
The second truck named in District 1 is "Sled Zeppelin," named by sixth-graders at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School in Shelburne Falls.
"We are excited about the results of our first-ever contest to partner with school students across Massachusetts to name several of our snowplows," said Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca. "In addition to recognizing the schools that submitted winning names, this contest also strengthens the connection MassDOT has with communities across the commonwealth."
The winning submissions were evaluated based on two grade-level categories: 1) kindergarten through fourth grade; and 2) fifth grade through eighth grade.
Other winners are Luke Snowalker (Munger Hill School, Westfield), Plower Ranger (Reingold Elementary School, Fitchburg), Sherlock Snowmes (John F. Kennedy School, Somerville), Snowdrop (Wilkins Elementary School, Stoughton), Arctic Beast (JFK Elementary School, Canton), Snow Day No Way (Hadley Elementary School), Blizzard Wizard (Tahanto Middle-High School Boylston), Snow Big Deal (TEC Connections Academy Online School, Malden), Snow Time to Lose (Wamsutta Middle School, Attleboro), and Blizzard of Oz (Wamsutta Middle School, Attleboro).
The purpose of the contest was to celebrate the snow and ice season and to help recognize the hard work and dedication of public works employees and contractors during winter storms.
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
Berkshire United Way to Massachusetts: Early-Learning Educators Need Better Wages
By Katherine von Haefen Guest Column
As reported in iBerkshires, state education officials met with Western Massachusetts childcare and early education advocates at Berkshire Community College recently. I had the opportunity to share the following testimony on behalf of Berkshire United Way and our community partners.
Early childhood education provides tremendous benefits to our region. High-quality child care dramatically influences brain development and the future health and success for children in school and life, as well as provides a safe and secure space for our youngest community members so their parents or caregivers can work and provide for their families.
Berkshire United Way has invested in improving early childhood development opportunities in the Berkshires for decades. We fund high-quality nonprofit child-care centers that provide slots for income-constrained families. We also support the sector by co-hosting monthly child-care director meetings to work on shared challenges and collectively propose solutions. We advocate for early childhood education and have a great partner in this work, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
Staffing is a key component of high-quality care. The research shows that skilled and consistent educators in a classroom create long-lasting change for children. However, wages are stagnant and frequently do not provide educators with basic financial stability. We often hear that educators have left the field because they are unable to make their finances work. Wages need to improve to better reflect the expertise and indelible impact teachers have in the field.
When we look specifically at our region, our data is concerning.
As Berkshire County emerges from the pandemic, we are struggling with transportation, affordable housing and lack of mental health resources, much like the rest of the state. We are also seeing a rise in economically challenged households.
After nearly 10 years of decline, Berkshire County has experienced a significant jump in income inequality, now exceeding the state and national trends and far above comparable counties, according to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. Over half of our population are "economically challenged," meaning they are working but struggling to make ends meet. A single parent with a school-aged child needs between $70,000 and $80,000 in income and public benefits just to meet their basic needs.
A large limb from a 32-foot sugar maple in the park fell next to the fountain area over the weekend. Caution tape and traffic barrels now surround the aftermath.
click for more
The last estimate for construction was overly optimistic because, at the time, it was unclear how long obtaining the two easements would take, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said.
click for more
Full cost estimates have not been completed but based on recent repairs made to the Clapp Park splash pad, it is estimated to cost between $350,000 and $450,000.
click for more
King Kone had a soft opening at the end of the week, offering the frozen treats on a "pay what you will" basis while employees perfected the craft.
click for more