Democratic Primary Election Slated Tuesday

Staff reportsiBerkshires
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There's an election Tuesday. No, really! It's the state Democratic primary.

Berkshire County voters will be able help decide which Democrat will go on to face Republican challengers in the November election for U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

Nine-term incumbent U.S. Rep. John W. Olver is being challenged for the Democrat nomination by Stockbridge attorney Robert Feuer.

The winner will face Republican Nathan Bech of West Springfield, an Army veteran who runs his family's property management business, in November.

Four-term incumbent U.S. Sen. John Kerry is being challenged by Gloucester attorney Edward O'Reilly. The winner will face Republican Jeff Beatty, founder of an anti-terrorism consulting firm, in November.

Kerry and O'Reilly participated in one debate; Olver and Feuer have not met.

The names of candidates for Senate, House, councillor, state senator and representative, register of probate and county commissioners and treasurer will all be on the ballot but the only primary races are for the congressional seats.

For more information on the candidates and their positions: Olver, Feuer, Kerry and O'Reilly.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

North Berkshire

Adams: Adams Memorial Middle School, 30 Columbia St.
Cheshire: Community Senior Center, 119 School St.
Clarksburg: Senior Center, West Cross Road
Florida: Town Office, 379 Mohawk Trail
Hancock: Hancock School, Route 43
Lanesborough: Town Hall, 83 North Main St.
New Ashford: Town Hall, 199 Mallory Road
Savoy: Senior Center, 720 Main Road
Williamstown: Williamstown Elementary School, 115 Church St.
Windsor: Town Hall, 1927 Route 9

North Adams
Ward 1: Conte Middle School
Wards 2 and 5: St. Anthony's Parish Center
Ward 3: Ashland Street Apartments
Ward 4: Greylock Elementary School

In Adams, the Council on Aging is offering rides to the polls between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. for those who need transportation. Call 743-8333 to arrange a ride. Voters can park on the south side of Valley Street when arriving to cast their ballots.

In Williamstown, drivers are reminded to park in the School Street parking lot at the elementary school.

Central Berkshire

Becket: Town Hall, 557 Main St.
Dalton: Precincts I & II, Dalton Community House

Hinsdale: Town Hall, 39 South St.
Lenox: Town Hall, 6 Walker St.
Peru: Community Center, 3 East Main Road
Richmond: Town Hall, 1529 State Road
Washington: Town Hall, 8 Summit Hill Road
 
Pittsfield:
Ward 1, Precinct A: Reid Middle School, 950 North St.
Ward 1, Precinct B: Reid Middle School, 950 North St.
Ward 2, Precinct A: Morningside Community School, 100 Burbank St.
Ward 2, Precinct B: Somerset Fire Station, Somerset Ave.
Ward 3, Precinct A: Providence Court, 379 East St.
Ward 3, Precinct B: All Souls Church, 51 Pembroke Ave.
Ward 4, Precinct A: Herberg Middle School, 501 Pomeroy Ave.
Ward 4, Precinct B: Williams School, 50 Bushey Road
Ward 5, Precinct A: St. Teresa Parish Center, 290 South St.
Ward 5, Precinct B: Fire Station, 331 West Housatonic St.
Ward 6, Precinct A: Columbus Arms Housing, 65 Columbus Ave.
Ward 6, Precinct B: Silvio O. Conte Community School, 200 West Union St.
Ward 7, Precinct A: Fire Station, 54 Peck's Road
Ward 7, Precinct B: Capeless Elementary School, 86 Brooks Ave.

South Berkshire

Alford: Town Hall, 5 Alford Center Road
Egremont: North Egremont Fire Station, 175 Egremont Plain Road
Great Barrington
Precincts A, B, D: Searles Middle School, 79 Bridge St.
Precinct C: Housatonic Community Center, Main Street
Lee: Crossway Village gym, 21 Crossway
Monterey: Monterey Fire Hall, 417 Main Road
Mount Washington: Town Hall, 118 East St.
New Marlborough: Town Hall, 807 Mill River Southfield Road
Otis: Town Hall, 1 North Main St.
Sandisfield: Old Town Hall, 3 Silverbrook Road
Sheffield: Town Hall, 21 Depot Square
Stockbridge: Town Hall, 6 Main St.
Tyringham: Town Hall, 116 Main Road
Washington: Town Hall, 8 Summit Hill Road
West Stockbridge: Village School, 21 State Line Road

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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