BCC to Host 7th Annual Not Your Average Dog Show

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Dogs of any breed or mix, with or without credentials, will have a chance to be the center of attention on Sunday, Feb. 10, during the Berkshire Community College Foundation’s seventh annual “Not Your Average Dog Show.”

Organizers specifically emphasize that the show is “not just for purebreds.” The fun family-oriented event is scheduled from 12:30 to 4 in the Paterson Field House on Berkshire Community College’s main campus on West St. in Pittsfield. Dogs must register in order to participate. Pre-registration is suggested as categories fill up fast. Admission to view the event is by donation and all proceeds benefit the college’s Annual Fund.

Categories and sponsors include “Best Trick” Berkshire Gas; “Best Smile” Dr. Ed Helitzer; “Fastest Tail Wagger” Legacy Banks; “Best Dressed Female” Credit Union of the Berkshires; “Best Dressed Male” Country Curtains; “Looks Like Owner” Greylock Animal Hospital; “Best Hair” The Clip Shop; “Best Fetcher” The Berkshire Eagle; “Earresistible Ears” Greylock Insurance Agency; “Best Kisser” Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital; “Best Rescued Dog” Greylock Federal Credit Union and “Mystery Mutt” sponsored by the Berkshire Humane Society will challenge the judges as they must guess the breeds of the dog.

“Most Photogenic,” sponsored by Limelight Productions, is open to both dogs and cats. Those interested in this category must submit a favorite photo of their pet. The picture must be received by Feb 6. Eligible pictures will be posted during the show and the picture that receives the most votes by the audience wins. Vendors will have pet related items for sale and non-profit agencies will provide information pertaining to pet services. Refreshments will be offered for sale by the BCC LPN program. Local businesses have donated items for a raffle. Dan Dillon, Relationship Development Officer at Greylock Federal Credit Union will emcee, and Gene Dellea, President of the BCC Foundation, will be the “Ring Master.”

The cost to pre-register a dog is $12 if received by Feb. 6, $15 after that date and the day of the show. Each registered dog may be entered in two categories. Registration fees are non-refundable. Judging will be done by representatives of the sponsoring businesses and community volunteers.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times. All dogs must have up-to-date rabies shot. Females in season should not participate. For more information or to request a registration form, call Ann at 236-2185, visit the BCC web site www.berkshirecc.edu or e-mail aphillips@berkshirecc.edu.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.

Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.

The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.

Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is  appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.

Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.

Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.

The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.

The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.

Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.

Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years. 

He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.

Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.

Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve  a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.

Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.

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