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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. |
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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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Council's Latest Attempt at Veterans' Benefit BlockedBy Tammy Daniels - August 13, 2008
iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS — The mayor once again torpedoed attempts by the City Council to adopt a state law giving an extra benefit to military veterans disabled while working for the city.
Mayor John Barrett III vetoed what councilors had hoped was a suitable compromise measure approved three weeks ago. It was the second time the mayor had used the veto to prevent the city paying out an estimated $57,000 to the 14 or so veterans who fall under the state law.
"You can approve it and say we would like to see these conditions put upon it but according to the Legislature, you have accepted divison two of this law," said the mayor at Tuesday's City Council meeting. "You can say anything ... but it means nothing. You have accepted it."
The council has been grappling with the two-part legislative measure for two years. The law allows municipalities to adopt one or both parts of the law, both regarding veterans' benefits. The city adopted the first part two years ago; the second part, which offers retroactive benefits, has been a bone of contention between the councilors and the mayor for months.
The council has tried on several different compromises, all geared to reduce the city's payout over a number of years and have the North Adams Contributory Retirement Board make the upfront payments.
Three weeks ago, the council adopted the measure with the caveat that the Retirement Board agree to pay the benefit and be reimbursed by the city over a 20-year period.
But the mayor said the city solicitor didn't think the conditions would get the city off the hook for the money. Barrett also raised doubts that the Retirement Board could fulfill any conditions set by the council.
"You also should ask the Retirement Board if they can do this with PERAC," he said. "I don't think they have the authority to do that."
PERAC, the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, has oversight of the local Retirement Board.
Councilor Michael Bloom, who had not attended the last meeting, moved to vote the issue up or down. "I don't think postponing it two more weeks will make a difference," he said. "Let's dispense with this and move on."
Councilor Richard Alcombright, who had proposed the amended version three weeks ago, wasn't ready to concede defeat yet and urged that council to delay a vote until the Retirement Board could weigh in on the issue.
"If they do make a satisfactory arrangement we can come back," he said, adding if the board didn't, the vote was moot.
The head of the Retirement Board had verbally agreed to some sort of arrangement two years ago but his board had never raised or voted on the issue. Chairman Alan Marden, who also sits on the Retirement Board, said it would be benefit issue would be taken up this month. The board meets monthly but no date had yet been set for August's meeting.
"I don't want papers handed to me on the 26th," said Councilor Lisa Blackmer, because that wouldn't be enough time to make an informed decision.
Councilor Gailanne Cariddi, who crafted a couple compromise attempts including the first one vetoed, said it was worth holding off until the Retirement Board sought its own opinion and decided the issue. Then, she said, it "would be official."
The council voted 7-1, with Bloom the only naye, to postpone action on the veto until September. Councilor Clark Billings was absent.
Energy Awareness
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Take Charge Project being spearheaded by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
The initiative seeks to raise awareness and educate individuals and businesses to energy-saving measures and alternatives.
The project, under the coordination of Morgan Goodwin, had a successful launch at the National Night Out event last week. Goodwin said he was worried no one would come to the project's information booth. Instead, there was a line and the initiative exceeded its goal of signing up participants.
A press conference on the project will be held at the library at 11 a.m. on Thursday with local leaders including the mayor in attendence; there also will be an information table set up at the Mayor's Downtown Celebration next Wednesday. |
There is no such thing as compromise in John Barrett's lexicon. Unless the Mayor can take credit, there is absolutely no reason for him to back down.
He vetoed it and the council will never garner the cojones to override it because they have at least four of the members are afraid of Barrett's wrath. They don't want snotty little off-the0record comments given to reporters or any pet issue that they have to be squelched by the corner office.
The mayor lives for this kind of conflict. It makes him feel tough and most of the councilors are happy to oblige. | | from: Anon | on: 08-13-2008 |
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