News & Notes: Show Me the Money

By Larry KratkaBerkshire News Network
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The Longer You Wait, the More It Costs

PITTSFIELD — The City Council will meet tonight at 7:30 with a light schedule but two issues may cause more than a few sparks.  

First, the council will take a look at a recommendation from one of its subcommittee to award $250,000 in GE development money to the Berkshire Museum instead of the $500,000 originally proposed by Mayor James Ruberto. The mayor is apparently onboard with the reduction. But the decrease will affect the museum's ability to meet a Kresge Foundation matching grant that was awarded last fall.

The 105-year-old museum has to raise $9.5 million for its "Windows on the World" capital campaign by May 1 to get the grant. Executive Director Stewart Chase told the council last week that $8.9 million has been raised so far. The Berkshire Museum recently completed the first phase of its renovation program and needs $10 million to complete the second phase.

The other major issue is a proposal by Ruberto that asks the City Council to use an additional $1.1 million dollars of GE economic money for the long-awaited Richard Stanley cinema on North Street.  

It seems that the price tag for the project is now up to an estimated $22.3 million — roughly twice the last public estimate. If built, the six-screen cinema would be located in the former Kresge building on North Street.

Ruberto says the cinema would be the final major project in the revitalization of the downtown area. During his 2007 campaign, Ruberto said the cinema would be built during this term and there are 20 months left with no construction ready to go.

The GE Economic Development Fund is part of the consent decree hammered out between GE, Pittsfield and state and federal agencies over the cleanup of PCBs that gives the city $1 million a year over 10 years. The fund is in its eighth year.

Cell Phone Ban Hung Up

PITTSFIELD —  A lot of local police departments are urging lawmakers to enact a ban on cell phone use while driving but it may not happen this year.  

State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing's office in Boston told the Berkshire News Network that the House version of the bill passed by 107–47. It was then sent over the Senate side of Beacon Hill, where nothing has been done with it ... at least so far.  

Downing's office said the current chairman of the Transportation Committee, Sen. Steven Baddour of Essex, is questioning the merits of the bill and, as a result, no decision has been made if and when the ban would appear on the Senate's agenda this session.  

However, some local stores are already running ads for cell phone "hands-free" devices and urging motorists to get ready for the new law. While using hands-free devices is recommended while driving, there may not be a cell phone ban put into effect this year.

Spring Cleaning: Garage (And House) Sale

PITTSFIELD — Winter is a tough time to sell real estate but with spring finally here, real estate companies are gearing up for what they hope will be an improved sales season.  

In fact, on Saturday, May 3, real estate companies in the Berkshires will be holding what they're calling an "open house extravaganza." On any given weekend, hundreds of prospective homebuyers look for open-house ads in the paper to take a look at a property they like. Open houses are a good time to take a leisurely walk through a home with no strings attached, say real estate agents, just sign in and that's that.  

Now that spring is here, real estate agents are hoping that the May 3 event will jump-start a sluggish market.

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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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