NORTH ADAMS - Area students are being given a chance to send a message to Northern Berkshire residents - but they have to do it in less than five minutes.
Northern Berkshire Community Television Corp. is asking middle and high school students in its coverage area to create public service announcements. The winners will be aired on the public access station's Channel 16.
"It's our first [student competition] and we're doing it encourage students to show what they're doing in the schools," said Joanne Hurlbut, coordinator of the station's education programming. "They are coming up with a lot of creative ideas."
Most local students have increased access to computer and video technology; the contest is designed to encourage their creative side and give them a chance to show what they've been learning or what they're interested in. If equipment is unavailable, they may be able to use the station's cameras and equipment. Call 413-663-9006 for more information.
"This shows the positive side of the things they're doing," said Hurlbut, adding it's a chance for youngsters to share their skills and knowledge with family and friends along with a wider audience.
There are two time categories, one minute and three to five minutes; winners will be chosen in two age categories, middle and high school. Beyond that, there's no limit to what the entries can cover - although they do have to be appropriate for the general viewing audience and comply with copyright laws.
"They can be anything. We're not putting any restrictions on it," said Hurlbut. "The topics are wide open - it can be a project they're working on [in school] like the environment, or about a dance group they're in or about a fundraiser. It usually has to be a pretty focused project. They have to tell a story in a minute."
The longer PSA can be no less than three minutes and no longer than five. They must be submitted in DVD, digital tape or VHS formats at the station in Western Gateway Heritage State Park by Friday, Dec. 14.
Individuals, teams, classes or groups can submit PSAs. Submissions will be accepted from North Adams, Adams, Clarksburg and Cheshire, and also from Savoy and Florida even though they are outside the coverage area. Most students in those towns attend high schools in the station's coverage area.
"We really want to be as inclusive as possible. We're just hoping we get an interesting group of submissions," said Hurlbut.
A panel of judges will decide the winners in each category. First-place winners will receive $100 and second place, $75. Those submissions and third-place honorable mentions, 12 in all, will be aired by the station. The prizes will be awarded Dec. 21.
Hurlbut said fliers had been sent out to area schools and that a number teachers and groups have indicated they will be submitting entries. She just wants to remind youngsters that the deadline is coming up.
For contest rules, go to www.nbctc.org and click "Education" in the right hand column.
Send or drop entries off at Northern Berkshire Community Television Corp., Heritage State Park, Building 6, North Adams, MA 01247. Include the following information with your submission: name(s) of participants, address, contact information, grade level, and type of entry.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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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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