Great Barrington Announces Personnel Changes

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Great Barrington, Mass. — Josh Risen has been promoted to the position of Great Barrington town clerk, one of several new appointments in Town Hall. 
 
Risen joined the town in September 2023 as office administrator for the town manager and selectboard, after working in administrative roles in the town of Sheffield. He earned a law degree from Western New England University Law School and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2011. As Town Clerk, Risen will serve as the town's chief election officer and maintain and preserve the town's archives and vital records, among other roles.
 
"I'm very much looking forward to working with Josh in his capacity as Town Clerk, as he has proven himself as a hard worker and he is well respected among staff and the residents we serve," said Town Manager Mark Pruhenski. "I'm confident he has the skills and abilities to succeed in this role",
 
Natalie Amendola, who joined the town manager and selectboard office in January as administrative assistant, has been promoted to the office administrator role. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany and has previously worked as associate for student development at Columbia–Greene Community College.
 
In the Board of Health department, James Massey has been appointed as health inspector, bringing his extensive background as an executive chef in the hospitality and healthcare industries. He has worked for Canyon Ranch in Lenox and Tucson, Essex (VT) Resort and Spa, Trinity Health Services and other settings. He has also operated his own food and beverage consulting business in the Berkshire area.
 
"Natalie's promotion to the role of office administrator is well-deserved too," said Pruhenski. "Although she's only been here for a short period of time, she is clearly a self-starter and incredibly capable of managing our busy administration office with ease. I'm also looking forward to working with James and welcoming him to our team here in GB".
 
Risen succeeds Jennifer Messina, who departed the Great Barrington position for a new opportunity.

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BHS And CDCSB Partner to Improve Housing Availability

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) and the Community Development Corporation of Southern Berkshire (CDCSB) are partnering to support the expansion of workforce housing in South County. 
 
BHS will provide the CDCSB with financial support to make some units of the Thornewood available for temporary housing of healthcare workers who face barriers in finding available housing options.
 
"As part of our mission to advance health and wellness for everyone in our community, we recognize that creating better access to housing resources for a diverse population of workers will make a real impact," said Darlene Rodowicz, president & CEO of BHS. "We were pleased to work with the CDCSB to develop this innovative new collaboration focused on addressing one of the core challenges in our community—accessible, affordable workforce housing through the redevelopment of the Thornewood Inn." 
 
The Thornewood, at 453 Stockbridge Rd. in Great Barrington, has 16 furnished units that are suitable for 1–2 adults and vary in size, layout, and features.
 
"BHS's early support of the Thornewood project is greatly appreciated," said CDCSB Board President Jim Harwood. "Our partnership not only addresses a critical community need for short- and long-term housing for healthcare workers, but the additional financial support also allows us to provide this housing at affordable levels and fund ongoing upgrades for the property, such as our current project to build an improved shared kitchen for Thornewood residents."
 
According to the CDCSB, applicants working in Great Barrington will receive priority access to the rooms. Those working elsewhere in Berkshire County are also eligible. Eligibility for the affordable units is subject to maximum income levels.
 
For more information on The Thornewood, visit www.cdcsb.org.
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