David Butler arrived in Pittsfield this afternoon as part of a three-day cross-state bike ride to raise awareness about youth affected with HIV/AIDS.
Pittsfield - Kicking off his bike/run tour in Pittsfield this afternoon, Dave Butler left the worst of his journey behind him.
Butler arrived back in the state at 4 a.m. after an unexpected series of layovers and delayed flights pushed back his arrival from California. Originally scheduled to start off the “Keep the Alive II†tour to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS on the New York/Massachusetts border, Butler’s itinerary was updated to accommodate the one hour delay Butler was forced to make after his bicycle’s tire went flat on the way to the city.
“You’re late,†Mayor James M. Ruberto quipped when Butler arrived at City Hall at 12 p.m. He was scheduled to arrive at 11 a.m.
Butler, the founder and CEO of the Save Haven Project, is biking across Massachusetts on Routes 20, 7 and 2 in an effort to “re-light†the public’s interest in outreach for youth affected by the spread of HIV/AIDS. Along the way, he’ll meet with community leaders and project coordinators to publicize events and presentations that promote education and prevention.
The Safe Haven Project is a Northampton-based charity that sponsors free camps across the United States to children living with HIV or AIDS, along with programming aimed at social outreach to villages in Ghana, West Africa.
The staff of the HIV/AIDS program at the American Red Cross of Berkshire County were also present at City Hall to lend their support to Butler’s three-day ride.
“We came out to support Dave and acknowledge that there are services in the community to help people with HIV or AIDS,†said Kristina Biasin, a home-based health services nurse at the Red Cross. She was joined by Kelly Pizzi, the director of the program and Pat Wood, the case manager.
The Berkshire Red Cross’ HIV/AIDS Client Services Program is the only service of its kind in the county to provide aid to individuals living with HIV. The program offers comprehensive case management and home-based health services that focus on helping patients maintain finances, providing support groups and informing clients of their health options.
“The whole issue of AIDS is something we all have to be incredibly sensitive to, and the Red Cross has been active here in Berkshire County to address this issue,†said Ruberto.
Butler said he firmly believes in the role of local organizations in helping tackle the global epidemic.
“It’s great to hear that there are people in the local community working on this. There are some people here in Pittsfield who have the same heart and compassion but not the same notoriety or celebrity as Bono or Oprah,†said Bulter, referring to U2 frontman Bono and famed TV show host Oprah Winfrey, celebrities both known for their contributions to fighting the spread of the AIDS epidemic.
As Butler prepared to get back on his bike - named “Black Lightning†- and move onto Greenfield (where he’ll stay tonight), Ruberto sent him off with kind parting words.
“I’ve always believed that in order to have any organization be successful, [that organization] has to be based on value. This ride is the ultimate demonstration of value and compassion,†said Ruberto.
Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23.
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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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