Clarksburg Resident Running Write-in Campaign

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Jeff Levanos
CLARKSBURG — A town native has stepped forward to run a write-in campaign for a vacant three-year seat on the School Committee.

Jeff Levanos, owner of Jack's Hot Dog Stand in North Adams, decided to run after learning the incumbent, Sheila Cooke, had declined to stand for the office.

Levanos, 50, said he'd been interested in serving on the board but wasn't interested in trying to oust a member.

"I didn't have any problems with the way the school is run," Levanos said on Friday. "But when I found out there was a vacancy, I decided to go for it."

He didn't find out in time to get his name on the town election ballot, however, so he's running a write-in campaign and trying to get the word out.

Levanos attended Clarksburg School and graduated from Drury High School in North Adams in 1976. With his son, Joey, now 12, he feels he has more time to devote to serving the town.

He said he isn't running on a particular issue other than ensuring the school continues to provide a good education to the town's children.

"I want to make sure the school maintains the quality it has always had," he said. "I went there and got a solid education that prepared me for Drury."

He's looking forward to working with the other School Committee members on issues such as the proposed renovation of the aging school. Levanos said he wasn't up on all the details of the proposal but noted the "new addition" was put on when he was in third grade.

"If we can afford it. ... I think the school is the center of our town," he said. "This is a great place to live and this is a great school and the school is worth it.

"I'm really excited about serving on the board."

There are no races on the ballot this year. Incumbents have returned papers for most of the positions, including Lily Kuzia for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Also running are Ernest Dix for tree warden; Bryan Tanner for moderator; Linda Hurlbut for three-year library trustee and Denise Chesbro for one-year library trustee; Joseph Mondia, three-year seat on the Board of Health; Joseph Bushika, three-year War Memorial trustee; Melissa McGovern-Wandrei, three-year term as tax collector; Marie Allard, three-year term as treasurer; Carol Jammalo, two-year term as town clerk; David Sherman, five-year Planning Board seat.

The town election will be held Tuesday, May 20, at the Clarksburg Senior Center off Cross Road. Elections have been moved from Town Hall because of the construction of a new police station on its ground floor.
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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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