PHS Student Spends a Day with Downing

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Sen. Benjamin B. Downing and Junior Achievement Job Shadow Kayla McNeice prepare to attend another meeting in Downing's district office.
PITTSFIELD - Pittsfield High School sophomore Kayla McNeice learned what it takes to be a Berkshire County legislator by spending Friday, Feb. 1, with state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield

Kayla was a participant in Junior Achievement's Job Shadow Day. She accompanied Downing to various meetings in Pittsfield as he carried out his day-to-day business as state senator of the Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin District.

"Kayla McNeice is a bright, engaged student taking an active interest in state government. I hope that the people she met and the experiences she had throughout the day fueled her interest in serving her community," said Downing.

Kayla's interest in politics led her to seek the job shadow experience with Downing. Anticipating that her day would lead to a better understanding of state politics, she also hoped to see what priorities occupy his calendar during a typical work day in the district.

She discovered that city and state leaders regularly meet to pair resources and expertise to further the priorities of the region. She learned about many of the economic development initiatives to revitalize Pittsfield's downtown and the necessary collaboration between state and local government to make these changes happen.

Reflecting on her day with the senator, Kayla said, "I was impressed as I watched Senator Downing evaluate what the people in his district need. I learned that there are many different opinions presented to him on a daily basis, and saw that he truly does his best to understand every person’s point of view when approaching the many issues that affect his district."

Job Shadow Day is a program through Junior Achievement Worldwide designed to provide academically motivating activities that give students the opportunity to experience firsthand how the skills they learn in the classroom directly relate to careers they are interested in pursuing.

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a volunteer network, it provides in-school and after-school programs for students in Grades K-12. Junior Achievement offers educational programs that focus on three key areas: entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy. Today, over 4 million students in the United States are served, with an additional 3.5 million students served by centers in 114 other countries worldwide.
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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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