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RegionObama TransitionDaily DigestMeetings
The Drury High School Council meets Tuesday, Jan 13, at 6:30 in the conference room. Agenda items include AYP, school grant, laptop initiative and PowerSchool updates. |
Steve Decker cleans up in front of BankNorth on Wednesday.
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More Snow
The Berkshires received several inches of snow this morning, but not enough to close schools, unlike yesterday's sleety mess. Temperatures will drop into the 20s this afternoon. A few more snow showers are expected through the weekend.
We have reports that the roads are very slippery to take care in the evening commute. |
Duff'em If You've Got'em
 North Adams Regional Hospital went smoke-free Monday — so did all its sister sites, from Sweet Brook to Northern Berkshire Family Practice to the Women's Exchange. No ashtrays, no smoking: No butts about it. |
Wanted: Eagle Eyes
MassWildlife's annual eagle count runs Dec. 31 to Jan. 14. Anyone sighting one of the regal birds in Massachusetts is asked to participate.
Send date, time, location and town of eagle sightings, number of birds, whether juvenile or adult and observer's contact information to Mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. |
| Need to contact iBerkshires? Here's how. |
Like to Write?
 iBerkshires accepts submissions about local events, news and opinion pieces. There are openings for freelance work, too, for qualified candidates. E-mail tdaniels@iberkshires.com to find out more. |
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Other StuffMars Rovers Mark 5 Years
 Spirit and Opportunity have been trekking the red planet for half a decade. Spirit hit the 5-year mark on Sunday; Opportunity will on Jan. 24. |
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Special Meeting, Special Events Slated in WilliamstownBy Tammy Daniels - August 13, 2008
iBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN — A $6,200 drop in expected revenue at the transfer station last year means a special town meeting will have to be held to move the money from one account to another.
Rather than open up the school for "what amounts to a journal entry," Town Manager Peter Fohlin proposed the Selectmen hold the special town meeting during their regular meeting on Sept. 8.
"There are no taxpayer dollars involved," said Fohlin. "And no good argument for raising fees."
In fact, the transfer station account is showing a plus — just in the wrong column.
One of the town's three enterprise accounts, the transfer station supports itself through fees. The revenues generated are used toward the town's annual budget. At town meeting, voters appropriated $190,685 in anticipated transfer station receipts for fiscal 2009; but the account came up short, only $184,564.
That won't fly with the state Department of Revenue, which reviews the town's accounts before it can set its tax rate, said Fohlin. "They want to make sure all our accounts are in order."
That means the town has to add $6,200 to the revenue account — but it won't have to raise rates to cover the gap. "Not only did the revenues go down, the disposal costs did as well," said Fohlin.
The transfer station is actually showing a profit of $20,000 because people are apparently being more conscientious in reducing the amount of trash they're tossing out.
"I agree it's certainly much more efficient to have our town meeting right here," said Selectman Richard Steege. Chairwoman Jane Allen said the proposal was "remarkably creative."
"It also gives an answer to what we're inevitably asked: 'How much does it cost to run a town meeting,' we can say 'nothing,'" said Fohlin.
The town has no quorum rule, so even if no registered voters attend, the board can vote the issue. The town moderator and the town clerk or her substitute will have to attend. Voters are, of course, welcome to attend.
The Selectmen also:
Signed a lease agreement with Williams College and license agreement with Cal Ripken Baseball to allow the construction of a grandstand and concession stand at Bud Anderson Field on Stetson Road. Town meeting authorized $93,000 from Community Preservation Act Funds in 2006 for the construction.
The field is owned by Williams College but because the money was from CPA funds, the town must have physical rights to the field, requiring the lease. The license will allow Cal Ripken to build and operate the structures on the land. The group will still have to go through the permitting process.
In response to questions from Selectman David Rempell, Fohlin said the town has no responsibility for maintainance or upkeep or to provide utilities but does have responsibilities to the college should the structures fall into disrepair. "The college does have the right to tell us to fix it or tear it down," said Fohlin. He estimated it would take a day for town crews to dismantle them.
Heard a presentation by Leslie Reed-Evans of Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation about an "Amble and Scramble" on Sept. 20 at the foundation's Sheep Hill headquarters on Route 7.
The event will include lots of different hikes, activities and refreshments. The goal is for it to become the organization's signature annual event, she said. "We hope it will become a really fun community event."
Agreed to write a letter to the state Highway Department supporting the 4th annual Hoosic River Ride on Saturday, Aug. 23. The event will be based at Bennington (Vt.) College this year but one of its three loops will swing through Williamstown - down Route 7 South and over Petersburg Pass.
MassHighway requires communities be aware of events occuring along their roadways, said organizer Lisa Carey Moore, and provide permission in writing.
Heard an update on plans for a "Haunted Williamstown" event to be held at Eastlawn Cemetery on Oct. 31. Coordinator Julianna Haubrich said a wide range of organizations were to be involved in the effort, including the Milne Library, Rural Lands Foundation, Inkberry, House of Local History, Wild Oats Cooperative.and Main Street Stage.
Steege wondered at the "appropriateness of having this in the cemetery and the chapel." Haubrich said the House of Local History was helping frame it so it wouldn't be "disrespectful." She expected to return to the Selectmen to keep them updated on the progress.
Approved a beer and wine package store license for Wild Oats Cooperative. Manager Michael Faber, who will hold the license, said the store is looking forward to offering locally produced brews and wines.
Allen noted that Faber had no experience in selling alcohol: "I want to let you know how serious that job is."
"I take it very seriously," said Faber. "My name is on the license."
He planned to take Training for Intervention Procedures, or TIPS, and educate staff as well.
Warned the state primary election, which will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the elementary school from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters will chose U.S. senator and representative, councillor, state senator and representatives, and register of probate party candidates to proceed to the general election in November.
The last day to register to vote in the primary is Aug. 27.
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