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. Meeting minutes, reports and relevant documents are public available online.

Members

  • 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

  • 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

  • John Notsely

    Johns has been on the committee since 1963.

    Term renews 6/2026

  • 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

  • Craig Pedercini

    Term renews 6/2028

Meeting Calendar

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee reports to Prudential Committee and is charged with responsibility for the operation and fiscal oversight of the district. Its five members are appointed by the Prudential Committee. The Finance Committee meets the third Thursday of every month at 4:30 p.m.

Members

  • 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.  

  • Hugh Daley

  • Don Dubendorf

  • 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.

  • Fred Puddester

Community Advisory Committee

The Community Advisory Committee was established in mid-2020 to provide the District with access to and input from the community. Its seven members are selected for their ability to provide a broad range of local perspectives. The group considers all aspects Fire District operations, including staffing, capital equipment, and operations, and can make recommendations and support or oppose the District and Prudential Committee’s decisions, practices and plans. They may also encourage community support for the District. The Community Advisory Committee meets on an as-needed basis. Meetings are posted on the District Calendar and shared on District social media.

Members

  • Jeffrey Thomas

    Chair

    Jeffrey Thomas is a 16 year resident of Williamstown. He is the executive director of Lever, a startup accelerator focused on regional job creation, and has served on the town’s Community Preservation Committee, Economic Development Committee, and Board of Selectmen, among other roles.

  • Markus Burns

  • Susan Schnecki

    Susan has lived in South Williamstown for more than 54 years and is a retired administrator in Williams College’s Department of Music. Her two grown children Mount Greylock High School graduates. She currently serves on the board of the Williamstown Historical Museum and is a past member of the town Planning Board and Historical Commission.

  • Theresa Sawyer

  • Larry Smallwood

  • 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.

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.