Letter: Support Bond for Mayor

To the Editor:

I have struggled with whether or not to write this letter, and as I write it, am still struggling with the right way to say what I want to say. I am not a political person, and hope that I don't get the backlash that some do for putting their opinion forward. I was born and raised here in North Adams and John Barrett III was my teacher in fourth grade when he was elected, so I have experienced many elections, some more tumultuous than others.

This mayoral election has been a bit stressful for me since I know both candidates and many of their supporters, on both sides. I worked for Jennifer Macksey and I work closely with Lynette Bond currently. I have felt a bit of pressure to be loyal to someone I worked for and the assumption my vote is going in that direction. I do appreciate Jennifer's support of me while I worked under her so I hope that message does not get lost here.

Both of these women have great qualities to lead our city and I'm confident that we will be just fine with either one sitting in the corner office.

For me, working with both of these women, it is coming down to the style of leadership. I see one as being a bit more cut and dry, and the other having a softer approach to issues but gets the job done. I have seen both exert power just in different ways. I know our city needs a bit of both of these type of leaders, but each of us have our own preference.

After watching the campaigns unfold, keeping an eye on the social media posts, the campaign letters, and the style of outreach, I will be casting my vote for Lynette Bond. Lynette's leadership style and experience outside of city government is just what I think our city needs.

Bonnie Howland
North Adams, Mass.

Clarksburg OKs $5.1M Budget; Moves CPA Adoption Forward

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
08:44PM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Newly elected Moderator Seth Alexander kept the meeting moving. 

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The annual town meeting sped through most of the warrant on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments. 

 

Close to 70 voters at Clarksburg School also moved adoption of the state's Community Preservation Act to the November ballot after a lot of questions in trying to understand the scope of the act. 

 

The town operating budget is $1,767,759, down $113,995 largely because of debt falling off. Major increases include insurance, utilities and supplies; the addition of a full-time laborer in the Department of Public Works and an additional eight hours a week for the accountant.

 

The school budget is at $2,967,609, up $129,192 or 4 percent over this year. Clarksburg's assessment to the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District is $363,220.

 

Approved was delaying the swearing in of new officers until after town meeting; extending the one-year terms of moderator and tree warden to three years beginning with the 2025 election; switching the licensing of dogs beginning in January and enacting a bylaw ordering dog owners to pick up after their pets. This last was amended to include the words "and wheelchair-bound" after the exemption for owners who are blind. 

 

The town more recently established an Agricultural Committee and on Wednesday approved a right-to-farm bylaw to protect agriculture. 

 

Larry Beach of River Road asked why anyone would be against and what the downside would be. Select Board Chair Robert Norcross said neighbors of farmers can complain about smells and livestock like chickens.