NORTH ADAMS - Since no solutions have been proposed from the federal government, it's up to individual states to facilitate change and combat the effects of global warming and climate change, say state legislators.
State Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, D-Taunton, chairman of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, will hold a hearing on utilities and energy Sept. 24 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, as part of a statewide tour to get residents' opinions on the best legislative solutions for environmental change.
"In the face of federal inaction, states need to take strategic steps to curb global warming," said state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, who is co-sponsoring the event. "Our over-reliance on fossil fuels has gotten us into this situation and now we want to build a comprehensive strategy across the commonwealth."
The hearings will provide an opportunity for citizens across the state to discuss what actions will directly affect their lives and livelihoods.
"The committee will see and hear what the concerns are from residents in Western Massachusetts when facing the challenge of what to do about global warming," said Downing. "In the Berkshires, [the committee] will hear about funding for agricultural preservation restrictions, about preserving what we consider a pristine environment, and finding ways to do all that while also protecting economic growth."
The public is invited to share perspectives and to help the committee outline initiatives that would best benefit all communities in the state.
"The committee will be addressing different concerns from different regions but this is about what Massachusetts can do to speed up the process of acknowledging the global warming issue and meeting the needs of our citizens," said Downing.
The hearing will take place Monday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in MCLA's Murdock Hall, Room 218.
Jen Thomas can be reached 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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