32 New York youngsters arrive to explore a different en environment 2 Union Photo by Benny Bak New York City area youngsters look for their luggage after arriving Wednesday to spend two weeks with Greater Springfield families. Easthampton counsel bills total EASTHAMPTON Town Accountant Mary T. Brewer estimated Wednesday that the town counsel's bills amount to about $15,000 or $16,000 for the past fiscal year. Mrs. Brewer made the estimate after she began compiling Town Counsel Thomas J.
Moriarty's bills at the request of the town Finance Committee. The Finance Committee made the request because it is "interested in what the legal expenses are for the town, just to get a handle on it," according to committee member Philip W. Linnell Jr. Linnell said the request was "no big deal," and added the committee was "merely The request came after the Board of Selectmen was unsure of the source some bills in one of their accounts discussed Tuesday with the Finance Committee. Mrs.
Brewer said Wednesday that for she deems it necessary. She said that Moriarty's bills often "do not include proper As an example, she said that the bills are often for court appearances but include the notation that the dates of the appearances are not available. 'I can't swallow that that a lawyer doesn't keep records on the dates he appears in court for his client," she said. The Board of Selectmen authorized payment of the $2,300 in legal expenses to Moriarty at its meeting last week. Moriarty said Wednesday that a budget item for $895 that the Board of Selectmen couldn't explain to the Finance Committee Wednesday included $750 in work the town counsel did on town matters.
Moriarty said $350 worth of work and travel was charged for representing the town before the state Alcoholic Bever- the past six months she has withheld age Control Commission on an appeal payments to Moriarty on bills totalling this spring, and $400 was for work because the bills contained few senting the town before the federal Dedetails and no dates. partment of Housing and Urban DevelMrs. Brewer said state law autho- opment and the state appellate tax rizes her to withhold payment on bills if board. Officials investigating power abuse charge By JOHN APPLETON to get answers from." Union Correspondent Hampshire-Franklin District AttorHATFIELD The School Committee, ney Thomas Simons said he will look the district attorney and the local CETA into whether "the facts alleged constidirector are looking into charges that tute a crime." so, Simons said he School Superintendent John A. Skar- would investigate.
zynski used public employees and William Kane, director of the Northschool children for home and garden ampton CETA (Comprehensive Emchores. ployment and Training Act) office, said The charges were made in a local he will look into the matter because it newspaper by workers who have so far was alleged in the newspaper article remained a anonymous. that CETA workers, employed tempoSchool Committee Chairman Richard rarily in Hatfield, were assigned to do H. Labbee said his board would question work at Skarzynski's home. Skarzynski on the matter tonight and Skarzynski could not be reached for would talk to "whomever it is necessary comment on the charges.
South Hadley cops seek ruling By HELAYNE LIGHTSTONE should have been issued by Selectmen Union Correspondent who act as police commissioners in the SOUTH HADLEY Police Union of- town. ficials have asked Selectman to rule on Redfern said the contract changes the legality of two contract changes sti- are legitimate, because state labor offipulated last week by the town's cials have declared bargaining between negotiator. the union and the town at an impasse. Attorney Fernand J. Dupere, repre- because an impasse has been desenting Local 357, International Broth- clared, unilateral contract changes may erhood of Police Officers, told Select- be instituted.
man Tuesday night a letter stipulating The letter, effective July 1, states two unilateral changes in the police con- that vacation time will be based on a tract is illegal and violates the collec-40-hour work week rather than the tive bargaining process. hour week demanded by union officials, The document, written by Select- resulting in a hour 60 cents man's Administrative Assistant perdifference. Howard W. Redfern, Jr. stipulates two It also stipulates that officers will unilateral contract changes regarding have to pass a weight check and blood personal fitness and vacations for police pressure test every two months, before officers.
being assigned overtime work. Dupere said the letter is illegal be- Dupere said by making these unilatcause these are issues that the negotia- eral changes, the town is undermining tor has to bargain with the union. In the union's bargaining position which addition, Dupere said the document constitutes an unfair labor practice. By CHRISTINE CONSTANTINOS Union Staff WEST SPRINGFIELD An excitement' reserved only for new adventures and long-awaited reunions filled the air Wednesday in the parking lot behind Sears on Memorial Avenue, as families from Greater Springfield awaited the arrival of 32 New York City youngsters. "My 10-year-old son Michael has been buggirg me for some time that he wants a brother, and I keep telling him it's out of the question," Marilyn Mongeau of South Hadley said.
"This way, he gets a brother for two weeks." Mrs. Mongeau was describing one of the many benefits of being a host family in the Friendly Town program, sponsored by the Fresh Air Fund. The program, in its 103rd year of operation, takes 16,000 5-to-14-year-old children out of large cities from Maine to Virginia each summer and places them in families who want to give youngsters a chance to experience a different way of life. While several New York City youngsters said their reasons for participating in the program were "because it's fun," hosting families had more thought -out responses. Marcy Lemieux of Southwick arrived with her 10 children in tow three adopted, one of her own and six foster to pick up 10-year-old Ronnie Allen of New York City, who was back for his second year.
"We all love it it's great for our kids," Mrs. Lemieux said. "There's always room for one more. We always have 13 or 14 in the house all the time." Though Ronnie said he didn't remember the names of the children crowded 1 around him, who were reminding him of last summer's adventures, 1 he did remember all the swimming and camping activities they were reminding him. about.
Last year, the family wanted Ronnie to stay longer than two weeks. Regulations of the program, however, prohibit extensions on the first year visiting. If a child is re-invited the next year, an extension is permitted. Ronnie will be with the Lemieux family for four weeks this summer. Salley Markey, supervisor of the Springfield chapter of the program, has had Daryl, from Harlem, visit the family for five years in a row.
The Markeys have six children, who are "fun to hang out with," Daryl said. "It makes our children realize what they have," Mrs. Markey said. "At this point, I wouldn't mind having a reverse The Morning Inion Cities Towns trip for my teen-agers." Daryl learned how to ride a bike in the Markey driveway his first year there, and last year received swimming lessons. "All a family needs is desire accomodations don't matter," Mrs.
Markey said. "That's the least of the problem if you have the love to share." Inter-racial learning and understanding is another aspect of the exchange, Mrs. Markey noted. "My daughter was two years old when Daryl first came," Mrs. Markey said, "and all she wanted to do was just touch his fuzzy head." Those visiting for two weeks will be going back on the August 8 bus, which is bringing another busload for families participating in the Northampton Friendly Town program.
Chairman of selectmen calls it quits in Adams By ROBERT BURBANK Union Correspondent ADAMS In the face of continued community support of the controversial senior citizens' center, the chairman of the Board of Selectmen has resigned, effective immediately. Eugene P. Melville, serving out his third three year term, failed to attend Tuesday night's meeting of selectmen, having submitted a letter of resignation earlier in the day to Selectman Harvey J. Daniels. Melville, a professor of geography at North Adams State College, wrote that he will be undertaking "projects" in September which will not permit him to attend the selectmen's meetings regularly.
Elaborating on his resignation Wednesday, Melville said he made the decision to resign after the June 29 special town meeting, which saw voters approve the expenditure of $4,500 for utilities and maintenance at the new center. Melville had fought construction of the federally-financed project, claiming maintenance costs would be a drain on the town. He also led a move to replace most of the members of the Council on the Aging last month. Efforts are being made by several voters and the director of Berkshire Home Care Corp. to reconsider the removal of former chairman Abraham L.
Rarick, as he is the only representative to the state Department of Elder Affairs Council from Berkshire, Hampshire or Police powers arrested by state training rules By JOHN HITCHCOCK cil's training programs, or complete Union Staff the examination, they would not be FLORIDA In this remote North eligible to work on any project under Berkshire hilltown, where it is usually the supervision of the state DPW. so quiet the 750 residents welcome a Briggs told Selectmen the Sammet commotion, Police Chief Charles L. letter indicated all officers must comBriggs has been informed his force plete the program before they exerwill no longer be permitted to direct cise any police powers. traffic unless they meet state training "In other words. we would not have requirements.
the power of arrest, even if a serious The chief, his three constables and crime was being committed," the eight special parttime officers, will chief said. meet tonight at 7 in the town office Recent legislation enacted requires building to map plans to continue any officer appointed after Jan. 1, their legal education. 1978 to attend at some point a fourThe chief passed an examination month training program at the police recently conducted by the Massachu- academy. setts Criminal Justice Training Coun- Small towns do not have the man-.
cil, but no one else has the necessary power to fill in for studying officers, certificate. let alone the money to pay one officer The chief was notified recently by to study and the other to work. Ellsworth M. Sammet, acting district State Police from the Pittsfield highway engineer for the state De- Barracks, some 25 miles away, repartment of Public Works, that if the spond to any calls for assistance from Florida force did not attend the coun- Florida. "The war is over, as far as I am concerned," said Melville, who added he resigned well in advance of his return to NASC to give plenty of time for the town to hold a special election.
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1979 13 Franklin County. Frederick H. Whitham told Daniels and the third selectman, Paul F. Astorino, "I would hate to see Cheshire and Berkshire County lose representation on the state committee. Our position hangs on a single thread and that is Mr.
Rarick." Melville came to Adams in 1966 to become the first superintendent of the then new Adams-Cheshire Regional School District, resigning in 1968 to take the NASC position. He came to Adams from Warren, R.I., where he was also superintendent of schools. A Boston native, he was graduated from Salem State College and the Harvard Graduate 1 School of Education. TO "The war is over, as far as I am concerned," said Melville, who added he resigned well in advance of his return to NASC to give plenty of time for the town to hold a special election. Daniels said no definite plans have been made yet on replacing Melville.
Daniels said he regretted Melville's action and asked him to reconsider. Embattled bank building again victim of arsonists PITTSFIELD The embattled Pittsfield National Bank building, a cornerstone of the downtown business section which Pyramid Mall supporters want to see taken down, was threatened by another fire Tuesday night. Police discovered smoke coming from a basement room Tuesday in the bank building, forced a door and found a pile of papers and other articles piled up and burning. The blaze was doused without causing damage. Authorities said the fire was another case of arson and is under investigation.
The five story building constructed at the corner of North and West Streets opposite the Historic Park Square District was severely damaged by explosion and fire in 1970 and has been vacant except for the bank offices on the first floor since that time. A fire on May 7 set as result of a deliberate act of arson destroyed two other buildings of historic interest which traditionalists and Mall opponents sought to save. The national Advisory Council on Historic Preservation held a hearing in the public library Wednesday night to hear local input before formally recommending that the bank building be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 2 City. Building Inspector.
William 'A. Mandell Wednesday submitted a report on his re-inspection of the structure asked by the mayor and 1 City Council and found that "the building should not be condemned at this time, although he found deterioration is taking Mandell also cited a number of building code requirements which would have to be effected before a certificate of occupancy could be issued for use of the upper floors. Meantime, Pyramid Companies of New York officials have said repeatedly if the bank stays there will be no $100 million mall built. Franklin County bus plan leaves gaping hole GREENFIELD Financial, planning and transit officials Wednesday sought answers to the area transit dilemma that currently leaves the 21-town Franklin County Regional Transit Authority in the shape of a donut, with Greenfield and Montague as the gaping hole. Town boards were slated to meet at length Wednesday night with both RTA officials and Greenfield-Montague Transit Area Trustees, and officials from Montague.
FRTA Director Peter Stoddard said Wednesday, "The advantage of Greenfield joining the RTA is that under an RTA they will have regulatory and administrative capacity, to contract 'As it now stands, under the GMTA, Greenfield and Montague have only administrative and operational capacity, but must rely on the state Department By RALPH GORDON Union Bureau Chief of Public Utilities to tell them where they can operate and 'An RTA," he contends, "will provide more local The town finance board has already unofficially voted to support special. town meeting article calling for Greenfield to join the RTA, but selectmen may continue their opposition. Stoddard said the RTA has no wish to obtain the capital investment of the towns of Greenfield and Montague into the GMTA "but we want to rent that equipment for the county-wide The cost to the town, based on a conservative budget, would run about $28,000 under the RTA, Stoddard suggested, compared to about $22,000 as Greenfield's share of the GMTA deficit. 'But the difference can probably be washed out by the fact that under the RTA, the authority can bond it's operation each year, and use the bond funds to buy high interest bank notes and earn the GMTA, he said, would not have a Right now, only Greenfield and Mondeficit, "because it would become part tague, in the center, Leyden, Hawley, of the operating deficit of the Heath and Monroe on the west, among Greenfield would still absorb the same the 20 Franklin County towns do not bepercentage of that as it was receiving in long to the FRTA. services if it was getting 75 percent of On the east, Athol voted to go it alone, services, it would pay 75 percent of the but the Worcester towns of Royalston, deficit.
Petersham Phillipstown are also The FRTA is actually operating now, part of the FRTA through the Mt. Grace basically on a month to month basis, contract. using cash flows from the contract that Sunderland and Leverett went with already exists with Mt. Grace Transit in the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, seven towns in eastern Franklin and because they wanted services to the five Northwestern Worcester County. college area, and some elderly services A formula is due to be worked out, to Shutesbury are contracted through based on services to each town, and the the Amherst Senior Center program.
state department of transportation will Stoddard said too he wants to see convert that into reimbursements to the Greenfield, the center of commerce as FRTA, with each town's share to come and industry, to be in position to influt from the cherry sheet adjustments ence service decisions because it would annually. be unfortunate to have other towns de'I think it will take about a year to cide to run county buses through Greenreally know what services each town field, to the common, on a closed-door wants," Stoddard said. basis. Revitalization aimed at downtown Greenfield GREENFIELD Redevelopment consultants have confirmed feelings of local officials that downtown Main Street "is the strength of downtown" and revitalization should be aimed at improving that section. John Adelberg of Sauaki Associates of Watertown termed the downtown, "very attractive and compact, but because of the layout creates a break in continuity of sociates also told business leaders, in a Michael O'Sullivan of Gladstone one Asmeeting Tuesday night, that the town's 106 downtown businesses rang up $32- million in sales last year, but there is room for about a 10 percent expansion, without loss of profits or consumer loyalties.
Adleberg and O'Sullivan, and their firms, are involved in a $13,500 revitalization planning effort through the Greenfield Redevelopment Authority. Both agreed that reduction of downtown traffic congestion, diversity of retail and restaurant offerings, and creation of more green areas, are high on the list of needs. O'Sullivan in particular pinpointed the Federal and Main Streets intersec- tion, the town's busiest intersection, as, "the most complicated I have seen in years, with all it's left turns and the shopping traffic complicated by people moving east-west from Route 91 seeking to reach the north-south Route The consultants suggested the downtown marketing potential could easily support another 40,000 to 45,000 square feet of business sales space without dampening the present compact and attractive structure of the street. The two also suggested stretching the town common to meet the town hall complex and increased parking ties along the south side of western Main Street: 'Angle parking slots," they acknowledged, "is very convenient for shoppers on Main Street, but it hindres traffic flow when parked cars back into traffic, and parking in front of the store the shopper is seeking is virtually Additional sidewalk benches, shrubs, some pedestrian malls, and a greater variety of specialty shops, the consultants said, could strengthen Main Street as an in-town shopping mall. 4.
