PITTSFIELD - In an attempt to address the childhood obesity epidemic, Berkshire Health Systems, in collaboration with the Pittsfield Public Schools and Operation Better Start, is hosting a public forum on Thursday to raise awareness of this pressing issue.
"Obesity is such a hard topic but we're seeing a lot more kids with complicated health issues at a younger age," said Peter Gazzillo, a dietitian and the program director for Operation Better Start, a BHS-sponsored specialty service that focuses on promoting long-term healthful behaviors.
Gazzillo pointed to hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and pre-diabetes as examples of health issues affecting younger populations.
According to Gazzillo and Mark Snowise, the physician adviser for Operation Better Start, education is a critical part of changing the lifestyles of those who are overweight or obese.
"The idea of the forum is to make people aware of what's happening with children and adolescent populations. It's a problem that can't keep happening," said Snowise.
Approximately 23 percent of city elementary school pupils are considered overweight (which occurs when a person's body mass index - a calculation based on height, weight and age - is above 95 percent). Thirty-eight percent are in danger of becoming overweight (those with a BMI between 85 and 95 percent), according to Snowise.
The childhood obesity panel will address some of the factors that lead to obesity in the birth-through-22-years age group and outline the resources available in the community to combat those factors.
"Anyone in the community can come and can express ideas and concerns," said Gazzillo.
Both Gazzillo and Snowise said inactivity is a major reason why the rate of obesity nationwide is on the rise. The average child watches in excess of three hours of television a day and computers make communication and research easier, perpetuating a society that is increasingly sedentary. While there is no one solution to the problem of obesity, encouraging a regiment of nutrition and exercise helps both children and families to control their weight.
"We're going to have to come at this issue from very different angles. The earlier we can get kids to understand that eating right and going outside to play will have positive effects on their health, the better," said Gazzillo.
Operation Better Start helps pass that message on by working with local agencies to implement programs that put an emphasis on healthy lifestyles, personal empowerment and coordination among health-care providers. These services are provided to individuals and families at no "out-of-pocket cost."
"There needs to be an incentive for change and there are people who need some desperate change in their health. We can have a big impact on an entire family through a child," said Gazzillo.
The panel is just one resource available to families in Berkshire County interested in taking proactive steps toward improving their lives.
"[The panel] is just one piece of the puzzle. To combat obesity, you have to make changes as an individual, a family, a community, a state and a country. We're just here to start the conversation," Snowise said.
The forum will take place tonight at 5 at Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 169 Valentine Road.
The panel will include Snowise, a sports medicine specialist; Joshua Weeks, former athletic director, health coordinator and chairman of the ad hoc Wellness Committee for the Pittsfield Public Schools; Dr. Siobhan McNally, pediatrician and environmental health advocate; Pittsfield Family YMCA Executive Director Randy Kinnas; James Ramondetta, owner of Berkshire Nautilus, and Nancy Salvatore, co-owner of Chin Bo Jok Martial Arts Academy.
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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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