Grace Episcopal rector A. Robert Hirschfeld named bishop for NH diocese

AMHERST - A pastor at an Amherst church will be the new bishop for the Episcopal Church for the state of New Hampshire. The Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, rector at Grace Episcopal Church since September 2001, was elected Saturday to succeed Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop to preside over an Episcopalian diocese, which caused a worldwide schism in the Anglican church. Hirschfeld said Sunday that his election, which came on a single ballot vote of both clergy and laity at St. Paul's Church in Concord, N.H., gives him a mixture of feelings.

Briefs

ROAD WORK AHEAD: The Department of Public Works' primary focus this spring is on the area of Atkins Corner, where West Street (Route 116), Bay Road and West Bay Road intersect. DPW workers are assisting utility companies and Baltazar Construction of Ludlow, which is handling the $6 million project, to get the water pipes in place.

Cinda Jones withdraws North Amherst subdivision plans

AMHERST - Three preliminary subdivision plans filed last month by W.D. Cowls for land it owns on Cowls, Montague and Sunderland roads, a tactic used to ensure existing zoning would apply to them, are being withdrawn.

Cinda Jones, president of W.D. Cowls, said Friday that she will ask the Planning Board not to consider the plans, which are scheduled to go before the panel next week.

Amherst Big Y traffic signal nearly ready

AMHERST - A traffic signal for the entrance to the Big Y supermarket on University Drive will be installed early next week.

Department of Public Works Superintendent Guilford Mooring said Friday that Down to Earth Construction Co. Inc. of West Springfield should have the work finished Monday or Tuesday.

Area police news

Amherst

 · Marissa A. Broverman, 21, of Pittsfield, was arrested Friday at 1:45 a.m. on Northampton Road on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Hampshire won't charge roof students

AMHERST - Hampshire College police will not file charges against three students who were rescued by Amherst firefighters after climbing to the roof a campus building Monday night.

College commencements are the Valley’s economic spark plug

NORTHAMPTON - As the University of Massachusetts commencement extended into the early evening last Friday, some who made reservations for tables at the Eastside Grill weren't able to get to the restaurant on time. These people still wanted to have their celebratory dinners and the staff at the Pearl Street restaurant did their best to accommodate them, holding tables and pushing back reservations, as workers continued to keep up with the crowds. That's about the size of it in these parts for the two weekends of local college graduation festivities.