Peter Wells, one of the only residents to live on Peter Hill, came downtown one day. He appeared very agitated and upset. When asked what the problem was, he said, “My first wife left me. My second one won’t.”
Don Lesure
Editor's Note: The Ashfield Town Common is an equal opportunity blog. Therefore husband and partner jokes are welcome.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Correction of Police News Flash Article
Interim Police Chief Cotton will have more police officers working with him than Sgt. Nunez and Officer Konopko. The Ashfield Police Department Roster also includes Auxilliary Officers Betty Lesure and Walt Zalenski.
Although not actively patroling with the cruiser, my responsibilities include being the Firearms Licensing Clerk and Police Detail Billing Officer. I attend all department meetings and training sessions, qualify every year in firearms recertification and, when scheduled, CPR and First Responder recertifications. I plan on continuing to serve the department under Chief Cotton and remain available for assistance when needed.
Betty Lesure,
Aux. OFC., Ashfield Police Department
Serving Ashfield for 24 years
Although not actively patroling with the cruiser, my responsibilities include being the Firearms Licensing Clerk and Police Detail Billing Officer. I attend all department meetings and training sessions, qualify every year in firearms recertification and, when scheduled, CPR and First Responder recertifications. I plan on continuing to serve the department under Chief Cotton and remain available for assistance when needed.
Betty Lesure,
Aux. OFC., Ashfield Police Department
Serving Ashfield for 24 years
Town Hall Bulletin Board 3/2/2011
Board of Assessors 03-02-2010 7 pm
Sewer Commission 03-02-2010 6 pm
Planning Board 03-03-2010 7:30 pm
Ashfield History Project 03-03-2010 7 pm
CAUCUS 03-09-2010 7 pm SANDERSON
Board of Health 03-16-2010 7 pm
Park Commission 03-23-2010 9 am
Sewer Commission 03-02-2010 6 pm
Planning Board 03-03-2010 7:30 pm
Ashfield History Project 03-03-2010 7 pm
CAUCUS 03-09-2010 7 pm SANDERSON
Board of Health 03-16-2010 7 pm
Park Commission 03-23-2010 9 am
Monday, March 1, 2010
Police News Flash
A report has just come in that Ashfield Police Officer Sean Skalski has resigned. This latest resignation will leave only Sergeant Kristina Nunez and Officer Jarek Konopko to serve with new Interim Police Chief John Cotton.
Interim Police Chief Starts Today
At 9 a.m. today, John Cotton was officially appointed Interim Chief of the Ashfield Police Department during an open meeting of the Selectboard. Present at the meeting were Dave DeHerdt and, by telephone conference, Ted Murray.
The Selectboard also formally accepted the resignation of Officer Joseph Cliche from the Ashfield Police Department.
Later in the morning, the new Interim Chief was officially sworn in by Town Clerk and Administrator Mary Ellen Cranston.
Cotton is retired from his position as Police Chief in Williamsburg. While there, he won a Hometown Hero Award from the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. He was honored for creating an Emergency Management Operations Center after the December 2008 ice storm.
His appointment starts today and runs through June.
The Selectboard also formally accepted the resignation of Officer Joseph Cliche from the Ashfield Police Department.
Later in the morning, the new Interim Chief was officially sworn in by Town Clerk and Administrator Mary Ellen Cranston.
Cotton is retired from his position as Police Chief in Williamsburg. While there, he won a Hometown Hero Award from the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. He was honored for creating an Emergency Management Operations Center after the December 2008 ice storm.
His appointment starts today and runs through June.
Letter from Ethics Commission to Svoboda
State Ethics Commission
John W. McCormack Office Building
One Ashburton Place, Room 619
Boston, Massachusetts, 02108-1501
February 25, 2010
John Svoboda
1530 Williamsburg Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Dear Mr. Svoboda:
As you know, the Commission has been reviewing a number of allegations relating to your former position as the Ashfield Police Chief.
Based upon that review, we have determined that this matter does not warrant further action at this time. Therefore, this file is closed.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Very Truly Yours,
Geeta A. McGrath
Senior Investigator
Editor's Note: The above was transcribed from an electronic copy of the actual letter.
John W. McCormack Office Building
One Ashburton Place, Room 619
Boston, Massachusetts, 02108-1501
February 25, 2010
John Svoboda
1530 Williamsburg Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Dear Mr. Svoboda:
As you know, the Commission has been reviewing a number of allegations relating to your former position as the Ashfield Police Chief.
Based upon that review, we have determined that this matter does not warrant further action at this time. Therefore, this file is closed.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Very Truly Yours,
Geeta A. McGrath
Senior Investigator
Editor's Note: The above was transcribed from an electronic copy of the actual letter.
New Chief Search Committee Begins Work
The Ashfield Police Chief Search Committe met briefly last Thursday to organize and review the job ahead of them. They chose Director of Emergency Services Doug Field as their chair. The Selectboard has charged the committee with the following tasks:
1.Determine the needs and concerns of the Town of Ashfield and its citizens regarding a permanent police chief.
2.Consult with the Massachusetts Police Chief’s Association regarding assistance in determining the appropriate qualifications for an initial vetting of candidates for the police chief position.
3.Research and study the current job description of the Police Chief position and present to the Selectboard any proposed changes to the job description.
4.Contact and consult with other towns with the same characteristics for ideas and advice.
5.Determine how best to advertise for the police chief position.
6.Screen all applications and decide how many candidates to interview.
7.Conduct initial screening interviews of candidates and narrow field of candidates down to four finalists to be presented to the Selectboard for final interviews.
The new committee plans to meet weekly.
1.Determine the needs and concerns of the Town of Ashfield and its citizens regarding a permanent police chief.
2.Consult with the Massachusetts Police Chief’s Association regarding assistance in determining the appropriate qualifications for an initial vetting of candidates for the police chief position.
3.Research and study the current job description of the Police Chief position and present to the Selectboard any proposed changes to the job description.
4.Contact and consult with other towns with the same characteristics for ideas and advice.
5.Determine how best to advertise for the police chief position.
6.Screen all applications and decide how many candidates to interview.
7.Conduct initial screening interviews of candidates and narrow field of candidates down to four finalists to be presented to the Selectboard for final interviews.
The new committee plans to meet weekly.
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