Eileen Barrett Cancer Support Group Sets Meetings

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NORTH ADAMS - The Eileen Barrett Women's Cancer Support Group will meet on Thursdays, Jan. 17, Feb. 7, March 13 and April 3 in the Clark House at North Adams Regional Hospital from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m.

The first hour will feature local singer and talent Bernice Williams, who will teach stress reduction and relaxation through music and movement.

There will be a refreshment break with healthy snacks and beverages before the second hour of "Conversations for Caring and Sharing" begins. This support group session is offered to any woman in active treatment for cancer. The support group meets in a confidential setting, facilitated by Maggie Bittman.

"The Eileen Barrett Women's Cancer Support Group is very excited to have Bernice Williams join us. Women really respond to her. Relaxation and stress reduction is important when you are healthy, but it becomes imperative when you are not healthy," said Reach for Breast Health Program Manager Polly Macpherson. "We are equally excited that Maggie Bittman, who has been facilitating the conversations for caring and sharing, has agreed to continue to do so. Both Bernice and Maggie are amazing women."

Women who are interested in attending the Support Group should call Macpherson at 413-664-5170. As space is limited, early registration is encouraged.

REACH for Breast Health is a comprehensive breast health program serving the women of North Berkshire County. Macpherson is a certified breast health navigator. The Eileen Barrett Fund supports the group. It is also supported in part by a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation Inc. and individual gifts and contributions.

The REACH Community Health Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of Northern Berkshire Healthcare. Its mission is to improve the health and wellness of the Northern Berkshire community through education, outreach, programming and advocacy in collaboration with community members and organizations.

For more information on the Reach for Breast Health Program or the Reach Community Health Foundation, call 413-664-5170.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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