Nate Black looks at a research tank filled with Atlantic sturgeon with his two sons Wesley, then 4, and Luke, 6, inside the physiology wet lab at last year’s open house of the Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory in Turners Falls.
Nate Black looks at a research tank filled with Atlantic sturgeon with his two sons Wesley, then 4, and Luke, 6, inside the physiology wet lab at last year’s open house of the Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory in Turners Falls. Credit: STAFF File Photo/DAN LITTLE

Fish lab open house set for Saturday

TURNERS FALLS — Find out what goes on at the Silvio O. Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, through an open house on Saturday.

The lab is operated by the United States Geological Survey, and studies how fish are affected by dams and changes in water temperature, and their movements up and down the river and between saltwater and freshwater, according to a press release from the lab.

The fish lab is at 1 Migratory Way. The open house will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Fire Department hires, promotes within

TURNERS FALLS — After the retirement of Deputy Fire Chief Leon Ambo, two firefighters have moved up in the ranks and a new one has been hired.

According to a press release from the Turners Falls Fire Department, Ambo joined the department’s call force in 1987, and joined the permanent force in 1991. His last day was Oct. 8.

To fill the deputy chief position, Brian McCarthy was promoted from his previous position of captain. McCarthy joined the call force in 2005, and the permanent force in 2009. He lives in Turners Falls.

Luke Hartnett was promoted to captain from his previous position of firefighter. Hartnett joined the call force in 2012, then the permanent force in 2013. He had previously served on the Erving Fire Department. He lives in Millers Falls.

William Ingram, of Amherst, was also hired as a probationary firefighter. Ingram has also served on the Leverett Fire Department and the Hadley Fire Department.

Students grade new administration highly

TURNERS FALLS — Students are pleased with the new administration team at Turners Falls High School, the Gill-Montague Regional School Committee learned this week from Student Representative Kaitlyn Miner.

The four top administrators at Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School — Principal Joanne Menard, Assistant Principal Tom Gaffigan and Deans of Students Mike Duprey and Rebel McKinley — are all new to Turners Falls this year, although all have previous experience in education.

“I think, and the student body thinks, that the administration is taking a step in the right direction,” Miner said at the School Committee’s meeting Tuesday. Specifically she pointed to the administrators’ weekly meetings with students as a positive point.

“Maybe even more than one step in the right direction?” said committee member Mike Langknecht.