PITTSFIELD - Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and the Berkshire chapter of the Western Massachusetts Homebuilders Association is inviting the public to a dedication ceremony Sept. 9 for a rehabilitated home on Jubilee Hill.
The house will be sold to Courtney Hamilton, the granddaughter of longtime owners Shirley and Randolph Hamilton. The ceremony will begin at the Christian Center, 193 Robbins Ave., at 1 p.m. and tours of the house at 31 Division St. will follow.
Shirley and Randolph Hamilton raised their seven children and numerous foster children at the house. According to one of those children, Cheryl Nolan-Wallah, the house sat vacant for a couple of years before the Hamilton children realized that none of them was in a position to take responsibility for the needed repairs. They remembered that their mother had spoken of giving the building to Habitat for Humanity, and made contact with the local affiliate, which accepted the property in about 2002.
At about the same time, Courtney Hamilton had begun her required "sweat equity" hours as the head of a Habitat Partner Family. While she helped to renovate and build Habitat houses for other partner families, she began to wonder about the Division Street property, where she had often visited her grandparents and celebrated holidays as a child. She wrote a letter to the Habitat board, explaining the memories and family tradition associated with the house, and asking whether she could purchase that house when she finished her sweat equity requirements. The board, which had not been aware of the connection, soon replied that the house would be sold to her when it was completed.
Hamilton grew up in her mother's home, but would often visit her father's parents. "I know growing up, I didn't always feel like a Hamilton," she said. "I went to family functions but I never felt as close as the other cousins. Having the Hamilton house, keeping it in the family, makes me feel more like a Hamilton.
"My mother and I would go up to visit at least once a week when I was growing up," she continued. "I still see my grandfather sitting outside in his car. When I turn the corner, I still see my grandmother sitting in her dining room. My grandmother would read my mother's tea leaves. When I walk in the house, I still see the old floor plan; I still remember the way it was."
The Division Street house is the 16th home built or rehabilitated by Habitat in Pittsfield since the local chapter began in 1993. Significant work on this property, including a new roof, was provided by the Berkshire Chapter of the Western Mass. Homebuilders Association. The interior of the home was gutted, and rebuilt according to a design by Ben Szalewicz, when he was associated with Blueline Design. (He now works at Centerline Architects in Bennington, VT.)
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Congratulations on a job well done! When I was in high school I knew a Hamilton family in that area. All of my memories of then are happy ones. I think what you are doing is wonderful! Congratulations again, for the happy story!!
My most heartfelt congratulations to the new homeowner. She has worked so vey hard for this and should be incredibly proud, just as I am of her. She would be most wise to remember to never let anyone take that away from her, no matter what. No one dseserves this more than Ms. Hamilton.
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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