WILLIAMSBURG — After nearly a decade at the helm as Williamsburg’s town administrator, Charlene Nardi had her last day in the position on Thursday.
“It’s very poignant,” Select Board Chairman William Sayre said. “It’s sad and celebratory all at the same time.”
Nardi is leaving to take a job as Northampton’s next finance director. Her last Select Board meeting was Thursday, and she was surprised by a group of well-wishers that included her three children, town officials and heads of town committees.
“It was very emotional,” Sayre said. “It really captured what a treasure she’s been for the town.”
Invitees were asked to send cards, as well as to post nice things in the meeting chat box for Nardi, which will be printed and sent to her.
“That was a complete and utter surprise,” said Nardi, on her reception at the Select Board meeting.
Nardi said the well wishes she received at the meeting were appreciated and that she’s also excited about the job in Northampton.
Nardi’s replacement is Nicholas Caccamo, a Pittsfield city councilor, and the pair’s tenure overlapped four days.
“Charlene has been absolutely wonderful,” Caccamo said.
Caccamo’s first Select Board meeting was also Nardi’s last.
“So far everyone’s been very welcoming,” said Caccamo.
Caccamo said that he’s enjoyed doing a walking tour of Williamsburg and that there’s still a lot to learn for the job. Nardi also said that she felt good after working with Caccamo over the past week.
“I am more confident now that they are in good hands going forward,” she said.
Caccamo’s contract stipulates that he be paid $63,500 a year, and be eligible for cost-of-living increases offered to town employees. The contract is for 13½ months, with the option to renew for two years subject to renegotiation.
A committee has been formed to shepherd the new Williamsburg Public Safety Complex to completion.
Earlier this month, the Select Board appointed members to the committee, which consists of Jim Ayres, Dan Bonham, Amy Bisbee, Jean O’Neil, Fire Chief Jason Connell, Police Chief Denise Wickland, Daryl Springman, Select Board member Dave Mathers, Select Board member William Sayre and Mary Dudek.
Sayre, who chairs the Select Board, said that a chairperson has not yet been selected for the committee and there isn’t a date yet for its first meeting. However, he said that he believes a meeting will happen in the first half of June.
The committee is tasked with overseeing both the construction of the Public Safety Complex on the Helen E. James School property and the school’s demolition.
Sayre noted an architect, Juster Pope Frazer, and an OPM, P3, have been hired. Both will be creating a bidding framework to hire a demolition contractor.
The Hilltown Community Farm Share, which provides fruits and vegetables to people who use it at low to no cost, is accepting signups.
The farm share, which runs July 22 to Oct. 8, allows participants to choose five items of fruits and vegetables on a weekly basis. The produce is available from local farms, and varies by season. Some examples of items are a pound’s worth of zucchini, six ears of corn and four to five apples, said Seva Water, the market coordinator for the Hilltown Mobile Market.
“It’s often multiple items,” Water said.
Participants in the farm share pick up their produce from the Hilltown Mobile Market. Those not participating in the farm share can still shop at the market, which accepts cash, credit, SNAP, WIC and Senior FNMP Coupons.
“It’s open to everyone,” Water said. “You don’t have to have a share to shop.”
During the season the market makes four stops: Worthington Congregational Church from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays; Cummington Kingman Tavern Musuem from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursdays; Blandford Post Office from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays; and Huntington Town Green from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Fridays.
The first two days of the 12-week season will be July 22 and July 23. The market is in its third year and is a collaboration between Healthy Hampshire, Hilltown CDC and the Hilltown Community Health Center.
This year, the market will be getting its fruits and vegetables from nine to 10 farms, Water said, in locations that range from Westhampton to Conway.
Payment for the shares can be done in one lump sum or over three payments. The low-income option works out to be $5 a week, the mid-income option is $10 a week and the fair-price option is $15 a week. Customers also can select an option for $20 a week, which is a fair-price option plus gifting a low-income option to another family.
The farm share also can be paid for with SNAP benefits, and the program is part of the HIP program, meaning money will be put back on an EBT card when used to pay for the program. Buying from the market itself also qualifies for the HIP program.
Those who want more fruits and vegetables can purchase additional shares. Water said last year the market had 80 farm shareholders and 20 to 30 people who shopped at the market regularly. Information on the mobile market and farm share and how to sign up can be found at www.hilltownmobilemarket.info or by calling 413-824-1840.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.