PITTSFIELD – The Berkshire Museum has been awarded a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. The grant to the capital campaign "A Wider Window" is contingent upon the museum raising an additional $1.6 million by May 1, 2008.
"We are so proud that the prestigious Kresge Foundation has recognized the importance of this renovation, the strength of our campaign and fundraising capacity, and the support of our community," said Stuart A. Chase, executive director. "This is an important opportunity for the community to show their support to the Berkshire Museum. As we enter the final stretch of this campaign and begin construction on Phase II, we ask everyone who appreciates and benefits from the Berkshire Museum to step up, give, and make this crucial project a reality. By giving now, individuals can know that their contribution goes even farther. All gifts from this point forward will contribute to securing the half-million dollars from Kresge in the final stage of our campaign."
"The campaign has been tremendously successful and we still have more than $1 million to go," said Michael A. Christopher, chairman of the museum’s campaign cabinet. "We are confident that the community will rise to the occasion in recognition of the century of service the Berkshire Museum has provided to generation after generation. At this stage in the campaign, every gift, no matter the amount, counts tremendously. We hope that our community will be inspired by The Kresge Foundation’s stamp of approval to help us achieve this goal."
The campaign has raised 78 percent of its funds from community and private donors, and 22 percent from government sources, including a $670,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund earlier this month.
Construction on Phase II — which includes the climate control (HVAC) system and the 3000-square foot Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation - began officially on Sept. 18. To complete the Phase II renovation and move on to Phase III (visitor amenities including a passenger-operated elevator, improved restrooms and museum shop and an improved education center), the museum must raise funds through private and public donors.
The Kresge Foundation is a $3 billion national foundation whose mission is to build stronger nonprofit organizations — catalyzing their growth, helping them connect with their stakeholders, and challenging them with grants that leverage greater support. The foundation concentrates its programming on capital campaigns as a key opportunity for nonprofit growth. At its September meeting, foundation's board awarded $45.5 million to nonprofit organizations in 29 states and the District of Columbia. The Kresge Foundation has been a driving force in the building of facilities for nonprofit organizations in the United States for 83 years. Its Capital Challenge Grant Program, which awards an organization a financial grant if it raises an agreed-upon amount of funds from private sources, has helped communities across the country build libraries schools, hospitals, museums, community centers and food banks, among other projects.
Key goals of the foundation are to help leverage support from new donors and to solicit higher levels of giving from past contributors. By retaining these new and increased donors, stronger, sustainable organizations are positioned to achieve their missions and strengthen communities.
The museum is at 39 South St. on Route 7. The galleries are open Monday through Saturday, 10 to 5, and Sundays noon to 5. For more information: (413) 443-7171, Ext. 10, or berkshiremuseum.org.
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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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