■David A. Sikop, of 56 Stilson Ave., has been selected “employee of the month” for December by the University of Massachusetts physical plant department. A custodian at Gorman House, Sikop was honored for his “outstanding work performance.”
■Named vice presidents at a quarterly meeting last night of the board of trustees of the Florence Savings Bank were Alexander W. Borawski of Strawberry Hill and Eric Stahlberg Jr. of 122 South Main St. President Stanley Clark said this morning the men will serve in an “inactive capacity” in the bank and will meet with the trustees four times a year.
■Nicole Marie Ely, the first baby born at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in 1999, arrived a month early but a day late in the new year. Nicole was born Saturday at 3:43 a.m. to Dina Kamansky and James Ely, of Northampton, a month ahead of schedule. It is unusual for the first baby of the year to arrive on the second day of the year instead of New Year’s Day.
■At its first meeting of this new year, the City Council will be asked to approve a measure allowing the Police Department to keep money generated from gun permits, in order to help cover the rising cost of issuing permits for firearms. Members of the Finance Committee have already given an initial nod to Police Chief Russell P. Sienkiewicz’s request to create a revolving fund.
■Northampton will hold its inauguration ceremonies this year at night and in a different venue in an effort to be more welcoming to the public. The swearing-in will be held at the Senior Center on Conz Street. Northampton District Court Judge W. Michael Goggins will serve as master of ceremonies.
■Easthampton Mayor Karen L. Cadieux beamed as she received a standing ovation from the audience after uttering the final words of her oath at a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday. Approximately 80 people crowded the City Council chambers to watch the inauguration at noon, despite the snowy weather.