Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity (CBHFH), an active presence in revitalizing Pittsfield neighborhoods since 1993, will hire its first staff members to support what is expected to be a year of substantial growth for the organization. After priding itself for years on its “all-volunteer†status, the organization is now moving into a more advanced phase, and is currently seeking applicants for a full-time Agency Administrator and a part-time contracting Construction Supervisor.
CBHFH is putting the finishing touches on the 16th and 17th homes it has built or rehabbed, has poured a foundation for a new duplex on West Union Street, and is beginning the design process for another duplex on Daniels Avenue. In addition to building homes, the local Habitat affiliate finances mortgages for partner families when they become Habitat homeowners. In the coming year, the organization will team with the high school building trades program and the fledgling YouthBuild program which will result in an accelerated pace for its construction work.
Sara Hathaway, a teacher at Reid Middle School, is President of CBHFH. “If you have been to a Habitat work site, you have seen the power of a motley volunteer crew of retired people, single moms, church members and crabby old guys with hammers,†said Hathaway. “It is amazing to see the beautiful homes and happy families who have benefited from the all-volunteer model over the years. But we realize that we can no longer manage our growing range of responsibilities without the help of paid staff. It is time to invest in professional support to reinvigorate both our office and our construction work.â€
Charlie Cook as the Treasurer of CBHFH notes that, “Habitat’s financial activity is not typical for a non-profit, although we hold fundraisers and look for grant opportunities as many local organizations do. We also function as a construction company and a mortgage lender,†said Cook. “It’s complex, time-consuming work and it has to be done well to be fair to families, donors, vendors and volunteers who work with us. Having staff on hand during the week will help to keep Habitat on track, and allow us to meet new challenges in the year ahead.â€
The full-time Agency Administrator position will assist the organization’s treasurer in paying bills, depositing and acknowledging charitable donations, and sending out payment notices for mortgages. He or she will also support partner families and their volunteer sponsors as they navigate the process of earning their “sweat equity†hours and become new homeowners. Managing correspondence, coordinating real estate closings and some liaison work with the organization’s subcommittees will also be part of the Administrator’s job, who will work 9-5 in the organization’s office on Columbus Ave.
The part-time duties for the Construction Supervisor include coordinating with architects, obtaining permits and certificates of occupancy, overseeing the construction schedule, and ensuring availability of materials and equipment on site. Qualified applicants should have the ability to teach building skills, lead groups, and be able to work well with people of different skill levels. The successful applicant will work with volunteer crews on Wednesdays and Saturdays at sites in Pittsfield.
Applications for the Administrative position and the contracting Construction position will be accepted until the positions are filled. Send a letter and resume to: Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 2717, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
CBHFH is a non-profit organization partnering with families in need to build or rehabilitate simple, decent houses for homeownership. CBHFH works with families and communities, recognizing with respect their dignity, diverse needs, and contributions.
Income guidelines for CBHFH require that qualified families have a reasonable employment and credit record, an income at or below 60% of the median income for the area (the figure changes annually), and currently live in inadequate housing. Selected families in central Berkshire almost always have children. Each family must complete 400 to 500 hours of “sweat equity†work on Habitat construction sites, and the process of preparing a home often takes as long as two years. Much of the value of the finished home is forgiven once the family has paid off the twenty or twenty-five year mortgage.
Prospective volunteers can call the CBHFH office at 442-3181.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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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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