Governor Patrick Announces Summer Town Hall Meeting Tour

Print Story | Email Story
BOSTON – Keeping to his commitment to encourage civic engagement and to be Governor of the whole Commonwealth, Governor Deval Patrick announced today he will embark on five-week town hall meeting tour across Massachusetts, starting on Tuesday, July 8.

The meetings are part of the Administration’s efforts to make state government accessible for all people in the Commonwealth. The Governor will host 11 town hall meetings in addition to four public Cabinet meetings.

“As we continue to rebuild our economy and our people, it’s important that all our residents feel part of these initiatives,” said Governor Patrick. “I look forward to hearing from all of my constituents on issues they care about most, and how the state can be a better partner to local communities.”

The town hall-style meetings will be open to the public, giving residents a chance to talk directly to Governor Patrick about issues they care about most, such as education reform, health care and the economy.

Governor Patrick will also assemble his Cabinet Secretaries and some Commissioners for four public Cabinet meetings in different regions of Massachusetts, giving the public more opportunities to ask questions and raise important matters in their communities.

Town Hall Meeting Schedule:

All starting at 6:00 p.m., locations TBA

· Tuesday, July 8: Salem

· Thursday, July 10: Hull

· Wednesday, July 16: Amesbury


· Thursday, July 17: Holyoke

· Monday, July 21: Milton

· Wednesday, July 23: Webster

· Tuesday, July 29: Rehoboth

· Wednesday, July 30: Athol

· Monday, August 4: Great Barrington

· Monday, August 11: Hyannis

· Saturday, August 23: Boston – Caribbean Day Parade (2 p.m.)

For more information, visit www.mass.gov/governor/townhall.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settled neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

View Full Story

More Great Barrington Stories