Wheeler & Taylor Adds Insurance Agencies

Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Mirick Insurance Agency of Shelburne Falls and Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency of Greenfield each recently entered a partnership with Wheeler & Taylor Insurance, a large insurance agency in Berkshire County.

 
The two long-established insurance agencies joined Wheeler & Taylor, Great Barrington, to broaden their insurance offerings locally, regionally and nationally. Both firms retain their name, staff, location, and management.    
 
"With this new arrangement, we can provide additional insurance products, offer specialized expertise and represent more insurance companies," Mirick president Patrick Shippee said.
 
Brock A. Hines, president of Albert B. Allen, said, "The partnership gives us a national reach and lets us write home, auto and business insurance throughout the country. We will always offer the same personal hometown service."
 
The move is a win for all parties, said Wheeler & Taylor President J. Scott Rote. 
 
"By partnering with Wheeler & Taylor, both agencies can do even more for their personal and business customers," he said. "Local decision-making combined with national resources creates a unique opportunity for agencies like them to preserve their heritage and commitment to the local community while at the same time significantly expanding their access to a broadened marketplace of insurance carriers, knowledge to insure nationwide, and commercial expertise allowing for expanded product offerings."
 
Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency has been serving Franklin County since 1925. 
 
It is located at 277 Federal Street, Greenfield, and online at albertallen.com.
 
Founded in 1980, Mirick Insurance Agency uses the latest in technology to maintain a constant link between its customers and insurance companies. 
 
Mirick is located at 28 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, and is online at www.mirickins.com.
 
Founded in 1871, Wheeler & Taylor, Inc. is one of America's oldest continuously operated financial companies. Operating full-service insurance and real estate brokerage operations from its headquarters in Great Barrington, Mass., it has a network of offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, and Nevada. Web: www.wheelertaylor.com.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories