A Look Back, April 16

50 Years Ago

The Northampton School Committee last night voted to grant tenure to 22 teachers, on the recommendation of Supt. John M. Buteau, and to reappoint 40 more. None of Buteau’s recommendations was rejected.

■Five area men have recently been enlisted in the Marine Corps and will shortly leave for basic training at Parris Island. The five are: Michael and Gerard Couture, of Florence; Kevin Houle, of Easthampton; Norman Landers Jr., of Williamsburg; and Steven Marshall of Florence.

25 Years Ago

■Northampton High School’s graduation will be tuned up and toned down this year in response to criticism of the length, rowdiness and high jinx that punctuated last year’s ceremony. Students will all be asked to sit together in the audience, graduates will be called in alphabetical order, and awards will be presented in a separate ceremony.

■Starting this fall, students at Northampton High School will be able to take afternoon art classes at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School in Hadley. Charter school administrator Robert Brick said that the school will open its music, theater, dance and visual arts classes on a space-available basis to Northampton students for no charge.

10 Years Ago

■Northampton Fire Chief Brian Duggan announced his retirement Tuesday, saying the department has become a professional, modern, highly trained force and a regional leader in the field. The timing of his departure — his final workday will be July 24 — is prompted by family needs, he said.

■Joyce Chunglo kept her seat on the Hadley Select Board and former member Gerald Devine rejoined the board in the annual Town Election Tuesday. In the other major contested race, attorney Linda Sanderson replaced longtime former Town Treasurer Constance “Connie” Miedzkowski as treasurer. Mieczkowski retired in January after nearly 26 years in that position.