Global Warming, Energy Depletion Course Available at BCC

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Global warming and world energy resources depletion will be the topic of a new course starting this month at Berkshire Community College. The course, “Global Warming, Peak Oil and Humanity” (ENV-128-01), will meet once a week in the evening for four weeks and is open to the public as well as BCC students.

The instructor for the one-credit course, which was not listed in BCC’s spring semester schedule, is Mark Miller, a former editor of The Berkshire Eagle who worked on the daily news summary of the Climate Crisis Coalition in 2005 and 2006.

Classes will be held Thursday evening from 5:30 to 9:15 beginning April 24 and ending May 15. The course will include reading assignments from recent books and articles, lectures, guest appearances by specialists in the topics under consideration, a final exam, and a class project or individual research projects.

Anyone from the public wishing to take the course may do so as a non-degree student without having to apply for admission to BCC. When registering, both degree and non-degree students may also indicate that they are not interested in receiving a grade for the course and simply wish to audit it without have to complete course assignments or examinations. All students, regardless of their status, must satisfy an English prerequisite in basic reading and writing before registering for this course.

For more information, or to register, call BCC’s Academic Advising Center at 413-236-1620; or 800-816-1233 (in Mass. only), Ext. 1620. All registrations should be completed no later than Wednesday, April 16.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Passes FY 2027 Budget, Warrant Articles

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles. 
 
Of the 20 warrant articles, one, Article 7, to use free cash to pay prior fiscal year bills of $941.27 was indefinitely postponed by Moderator David Rolle because the bills were for the fire association.
 
Some 247 of the town's more than 2,600 registered voters filled Lanesborough Elementary School, debating articles during a meeting that lasted more than three hours. 
 
The town's 2027 spending plan is up more than 10 percent, with the main increases from higher enrollment in the regional schools and the McCann Technical School renovation project.
 
Voters approved the assessment of $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School. They also approved Article 11, which was the use of $16,298.48 in free cash for the McCann's roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. 
 
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. Article 5 asked the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses, which passed.
 
Fire Chief Jeff DeChaine spoke to the audience on his articles and the need for a new truck to replace the 1996 fire truck, listed on the warrant articles for a total $813,366, which includes a $100,000 contingency cost on whether a 2026 model-year chassis can be secured before new emissions standards in 2027. If they get the 2026 chassis, that contingency likely won't be needed.
 
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