Fire Department oversight and guidance is provided by the Prudential Committee and Finance Committee. Each group’s charge and membership are listed below, along with links to relevant public documents.
Prudential Committee
The Prudential Committee is a five-person board responsible for operation and fiscal oversight of the district. Members are elected to staggered three-year terms via elections held each May. The Committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 4 PM, with dates available on the District calendar.
Members
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Dave Moresi - Chair
Originally from North Adams, Dave has lived in Williamstown with his wife and daughters for more than a decade. He brings experience in commercial construction and management as well as 22 years of experience as a paramedic. He also serves on the board of Northern Berkshire EMS.
Term renews 6/2027
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Lindsay Neathawk - Vice Chair
Elected in 2021, Lindsay is the first woman to join the Prudential Committee.
A Lanesborough native, she has lived in Williamstown with her husband and two children since 2005, and has run her own sign company here since 2010. She has served on numerous local committees and boards, including the Sign Commission, Berkshire Nursing Families and the Williamstown Elementary School PTO, of which she was president.
Term renews 6/2027
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Mike Noyce
Noyce has been on the committee since 2026.
Term renews 6/2029
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Joe Beverly
Joe grew up in Williamstown, and returned here to buy his childhood home in 2000. He spent more than 30 years as a firefighter with the North Adams Fire Department and retired with the rank of lieutenant. He has owned and operated his own electrical business since 1987. Joe has also the been Williamstown’s electrical inspector for the almost a decade. He brings to the Committee his extensive knowledge of construction and fire department operations.
Term renews 6/2028
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Craig Pedercini
Craig is a retired member and chief of the Williamstown Fire Department. He joined the department in 1988 and served until his retirement in 2025, including as Fire Department Chief from 2003 to 2025.
Term renews 6/2028
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee reports to the Prudential Committee and is charged with advising them on all of the district’s financial matters. Its five members are appointed by the Prudential Committee. The Finance Committee meets the third Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m.
View public documents from the Finance Committee’s meetings.
Members
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Melissa Cragg - Chair
Originally from Chicago, Melissa attended college and graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis (AB, MBA) and spent most of her adult life in Detroit. She worked in commercial banking, public finance, served as Treasurer of a large inner city health system, and finally served as Chief Investment Officer of a large single family office. She and her husband retired to Williamstown in 2015. Melissa serves on a number of nonprofit and governmental boards and committees including the Town of Williamstown Finance Committee.
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Hugh Daley
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Don Dubendorf
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David Moresi
Originally from North Adams, Dave has lived in Williamstown with his wife and daughters for more than a decade. He brings experience in commercial construction and management as well as 22 years of experience as a paramedic. He also serves on the board of Northern Berkshire EMS.
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Fred Puddester
Governing Legislation
The Williamstown Fire District was established and is organized by an act of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It has been modified three times since it was enacted in 1912.