FLORIDA - Christine Dobbert has no idea what to expect when she takes over as town administrator in less than a week.
"I really have no idea what it's going to be like," said Dobbert on Wednesday. "I'm going into this blind. Excited, but blind."
Set to assume her new duties on Jan. 2, Dobbert said she looks forward to working closely with those in her community and working to give back to the town she's come to love.
"I absolutely love living here. Where my house is, I have the most spectacular views - all around us is gorgeous. I just love the small-town atmosphere and this is my way of giving back," said Dobbert, a North Adams native who moved to the mountain town after a 10-year stint in Maryland. "This is where I live and where I plan on living for the rest of my life."
Following a four-month search, Dobbert was selected to replace former Town Administrator Susan Brown, who left the post in August to become the executive assistant to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President Mary K. Grant. Dobbert was chosen out of a pool of 17 candidates.
The mother of three, Dobbert said the biggest attraction to the position was being able to stay closer to home. Calling it a "hometown job," Dobbert said she likes the idea of getting involved with the local politics.
"I'll be close to home and this job forces you to stay informed and make decisions when it comes to the affairs of the town," she said.
The biggest issues, said Dobbert, will be the Hoosac Wind Project, a $44 million, 20-turbine wind farm proposed for Bakke Mountain and Crum Hill in Monroe and the proposed renovation of the Whitcomb Summit Hotel and Cabins into a condominium-style vacation resort.
Other issues include Internet accessibility, attracting businesses and roads and education, Dobbert added.
As she prepares to leave her five-year position as the office manager for Campoli & Monteleone law firm in Pittsfield, Dobbert said she's eager to "jump right in and get going."
"There are going to be days that run really, really smoothly and there will be days where I'm going to want to strangle someone and there are going to be days where I'll say 'Wow, I really made a difference today.' It'll run the gamut," she said.
With only six days until she takes on the position, Dobbert will take the time to ready herself for new challenges and adjust to the idea of working just minutes away from home - and all alone.
"It's going to be so peaceful and quiet. That's what I like," she said.
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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.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
