A Look Back, April 12

50 Years Ago

■After three years of helping others through short-term counseling and referral services, the Northampton Hotline is beginning to have problems of its own. According to Hotline director, Floyd Ashlaw, unless more funds and volunteer operators are found, there is a danger that some of the services will have to be curtailed.

■Amherst College President John William Ward has ordered across-the-board cuts for all non-academic departments in an attempt to reduce a $348,000 budgetary deficit. Higher oil, water, sewer, food, and electricity costs added an unexpected $400,000 to a previously balanced budget, Ward said.

25 Years Ago

■A judge in Cambridge Friday upheld Northampton’s decision to award the $26 million high school renovation project to the second low-bidder, Aquadro & Cerruti. The judge ruled that the lawsuit brought by Eastern Contractors Inc., of Framingham, which was the low bidder on the project and claimed it should have been awarded the contract, had no merit.

■Northampton will sponsor a panel Monday on year 2000 computer issues, focusing on public safety. The event offers residents a chance to hear about the city’s readiness for anticipated computer glitches and its use of contingency plans.

10 Years Ago

■With many anticipated visitors to Amherst this weekend, including those attending the 23rd annual Extravaganja rally on the town Common Saturday, and the possibility of spring-like weather, the police and fire departments are preparing to handle issues that arise, such as loud parties that generate noise complaints and overconsumption of alcohol requiring medical attention.

■There will be no change in the start time at Northampton High School in the fall. Revisiting a decision made last year to move the school bell at NHS from 7:30 a.m. to between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. by September, the School Committee voted Thursday to request more study of busing needed for that change.