NORTH ADAMS - Several Berkshire cultural venues will receive much-needed funds for capital projects and feasibility studies thanks to $16.7 million awarded to non-profits across the state, including North County's two major museums.
Eleven cultural institutions in Berkshire County received grant assistance totaling $2,342,250 from the state's Cultural Facilities Fund. Administered by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and MassDevelopment, the awards ranged from $670,000 given to the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield to $22,000 to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.
CFF grants are used to support organizations and projects that increase tourism, create new jobs, leverage private funding and expand arts and cultural activities in communities across the state.
"The Cultural Facilities Fund is a powerful investment in infrastructure for tourism all across the state. From the Berkshires to the Cape and everywhere in between, this ongoing investment will fuel jobs, enhance tourism, and strengthen our communities," said state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, in a statement released Wednesday.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts and the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute are both poised to benefit from the infusion of fresh funds.
Mass MoCA will use its $429,000 to continue ongoing renovations to the 27,000 square-foot physical plant. According to Katherine Myers, the museum's director of marketing and public relations, the funds will help increase the capacity and efficiency of the building, while also creating a new gallery to house wall drawings by late artist Sol LeWitt in Building 7 on the MoCA campus.
"This is a gift that keeps on giving," Myers said. "We're going to use the money to save money."
At the Clark in Williamstown, a $353,000 grant will go toward the construction of the Stone Hill Center, a 32,000-square-foot wood and glass building to be used for gallery space, a studio art classroom and meeting space. Expected to open in summer 2008, the Stone Hill Center is part of a larger multiyear expansion project.
According to Sally Morse-Majewski, manager of public relations and marketing at the Clark, the grant funds are just part of the overall fundraising efforts.
"Investing in our region’s cultural infrastructure not only fuels the creative economy, but also improves our venues and enriches the cultural experiences unique to our region," said state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, in a statement.
The CFF, created by the Legislature in 2006, received 201 requests totaling $80 million. The MCC and MassDevelopment selected recipients from small, neighborhood-based cultural groups to world-renowned theaters in 35 communities.
Listing of Berkshire County CFF Grant Recipients:
CAPITAL GRANTS
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield $670,000
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, North Adams $429,000
Shakespeare & Company, Lenox $395,000
Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown $353,000
Trustees of Reservations - Naumkeag Preservation Projects, Lenox $200,000
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington $147,000
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Inc., Becket $104,000
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield $84,000
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge $22,000
FEASIBILITY & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Hancock Shaker Village Inc., Pittsfield $37,500
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Inc., Becket $33,750
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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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