UCPWMA Hosts HOWL 2 Go Dueling Pianos Fundraiser

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, April 24, the United Cerebral Palsy of Western Massachusetts (UCPWMA) is organizing HOWL 2 Go Dueling Pianos at the Berkshire Hills Country Club.
 
The event aims to raise funds for the UCPWMA Assistive Technology PATCH Scholarship Fund.
 
HOWL 2 Go Dueling Pianos features two musicians performing popular songs while engaging with the audience. Attendees can request songs, and bids are accepted for song selections. The event supports the UCPWMA Assistive Technology PATCH Scholarship Fund, which aids members who may not qualify for certain government services but are living on fixed incomes with other forms of government support, such as SNAP or WIC, to apply for Assistive Technology devices.
 
Tickets for the fundraiser are $30 per person, including appetizers, or $350 for a table of 10, also including appetizers. A cash bar will be available. Tickets can be purchased through EVENTBRITE, and more information is available at ucpwma.org.
 
 
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Lanesborough to Vote on 34 Articles at ATM

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Voters will decide 34 warrant articles at the annual town meeting on June 11.

The Select Board endorsed a long list of articles during its regular meeting on Monday, most without discussion. 

A $11,846,607 spending plan has been proposed for fiscal year 2025, a 4.3 percent increase from the this year. The budget includes a net increase of $237,129 in education costs for the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School, less than the $271,478 increase in FY24. 

Three articles are related to short-term rentals, or Airbnbs: To impose a local excise tax of up to 6 percent of the total amount of rent for each occupancy, a 3 percent impact fee on "professionally managed" short-term rentals, and a 3 percent impact fee on short-term rentals in two- or three-family dwellings.

"These are the proposed language as provided by town counsel," Town Administrator Gina Dario explained.

Included in the 34 articles is one citizen's petition, which the board was not required to endorse. If passed, this petition would increase the Select Board from three to five members with an annual election of the chair. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in that election would serve a three-year term, the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes would serve a two-year term, and the candidate receiving the third highest number of votes would serve a one-year term, with three-year terms to follow.

Two articles needed clearance from the Planning Board before coming to the Select Board, one being a request to amend the town's zoning bylaw to raise the cap on accessory dwelling units from 900 to 2,500 square feet.  

The proposal is in response to the lack of housing availability in the community and is the second go-around.

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