A Look Back, March 16

Table of Contents

Tape decks and other electronic equipment valued at more than $2,000 were taken in a weekend break-in at the Radio Shack store in the Hill and Dale Mall. Thomas R. Whitney, manager of the store, said that the thief or thieves pried open a metal wall on the side of the shopping center to gain access to the store.
The Rev. R. Leroy Moser was elected pastor of the First Church of Christ Congregational yesterday by the congregation. Mr. Moser, who had served as the church’s interim pastor since September 1975, accepted the “call” of the congregation. He becomes the 26th pastor to serve the church since it was organized in 1661.

A new report evaluating the city’s Department of Public Works, citing “inbred resistance to change” within the department, recommends eliminating or reducing the role of its guiding body, the Board of Public Works. The report suggests making the public works department directly accountable to the mayor and the City Council, rather than to the Board of Public Works, as is the practice now.
The Northampton City Council voted to approve a residents-only parking ordinance that would require residents to pay a minimal fee, such as $10, for a permit to park on the streets, and would sell temporary permits at market rates.

A regional board tasked with advising the state in matters pertaining to the Quabbin has voted in favor of the rattlesnake island plan, with a minority opposed. The 45 seats set out for spectators filled quickly Monday for a meeting of the Quabbin Watershed Advisory Committee, with spectators eager to weigh in on the plan to introduce a population of endangered timber rattlesnakes to the reservoir’s largest island, Mount Zion.
Tissue paper party decorations were the focus of a celebration at Easthampton High School Monday afternoon, but the gathering was less than traditional. Advanced Placement calculus student used the objects as rotational solids in a hands-on demonstration of rotating a region in space, during Pi Day — an annual celebration of the mathematical constant pi.