PITTSFIELD - The state and local leaders must break down "the sense of time and distance" between the far reaches of the state if they hope to reinvigorate the economy, said Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray on Friday.
Speaking at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Country Club of Pittsfield, the former Worcester mayor recalled the frustration felt in that city when its problems were pushed aside by Boston and its environs.
"That frustration is real and more palpable the further west you go from Worcester because there's a kernel of truth to it."
Murray, a frequent visitor to Western Mass., said he and Gov. Deval Patrick, who has a home in Richmond, are making sure they're listening and being seen in this part of the state not because of their local connections, but because they heard those complaints over and over again during the campaign.
Many Western Mass. leaders felt shut out during Mitt Romney's administration - the governor rarely made it past Worcester and never set foot in North Adams during his four years in office.
Today's Word: Diversity
Diversity is a critical component in the current administration, Murray said, and that includes geographic diversity. Numerous studies are saying the state has to look beyond geographic boundaries and instead concentrate on investment centers, he added.
"If we are going to reverse the job and population trend in this state, we've go to break down the sense of time and distance," said Murray. "We need to insist on making more and better connections both in our transportation, our road and rail, but also issues of broadband connectivity.
"We need to recognize and nurture centers of excellence in regional economies. We need to recognize and invest in the areas of higher learning both public and private, where appropriate, around the state."
Murray described it as philosophical approach to the administration's aggressive drive to create 100,000 jobs in four years - a Patrick campaign process.
The administration awarded $76 million in Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion grants this year to reward good projects and stimulate the economy, and create and estimated 200 new jobs. Murray said there were $300 million in applications.
The Next Wave
While Patrick has been pushing initiatives in biotech, Murray spoke of renewable energy as becoming "the next wave" that could have as great an impact as biotech and life sciences.
During the 1980s, there was a fallow field next to Worcester Hospital and the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, he recalled. Medical and civic leaders got together to create a biotech park there. "A lot of people in Worcester laughed at that and a lot of people in Boston and Cambridge laughed, too."
Now, that biotech park is the second-largest taxpayer in the city, employing more than 2,000 people and eyeing expansion.
In one example of the payoff in renewable energy, the administration was successful in keeping Evergreen Solar, one of the biggest solar-panel manufacturers in the world, in Massachusetts, said Murray. The company is planning a $150 million facility expected to create 375 jobs in Westborough.
Western Mass. not only has both the intellectual and industrial capacity to nurture such renewal energy development, it is already a leader in many ways, he said, referring to his trip up Jiminy Peak to see the ski area's wind turbine.
The state has provided a number of employment and investment grants to local companies, and Pittsfield received a $150 million to create pre-permitted sites, said Murray.
Murray touched lightly on a number of other development issues, describing the proposal for casinos as being only one part of the economic puzzle. He also said the state is trying to address millions in deferred maintenance of roads, parks and buildings.
The lieutenant governor was introduced by North Adams Mayor John Barrett III, one of his earliest supporters. Barrett said he and other mayors had backed Murray in last year's because he understood the everyday problems of cities, people and small businesses.
Murray described the group as being in Mayor James Ruberto's city and in "John Barrett's county," saying he was not only "a tenacious advocate for his city" but someone who was not afraid to speak loud and clear about county issues as well.
The lieutenant governor spent the morning in Pittsfield, attending the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission breakfast at the Berkshire Hills Country Club and touring the Berkshire Veterans Residence Center on West Housatonic Street.
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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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