National Fire Prevention Week

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The Pittsfield Fire Department in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services is pleased to announce that National Fire Prevention Week will be celebrated October 5-11, 2008.

This year’s theme “Prevent Home Fires,” focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires - cooking, heating, electrical and smoking materials.

Nearly 75% of building fires and two-thirds of fire deaths occur in the home – the place we feel safest. “This year's theme 'Prevent Home Fires' reminds us to find and fix fire hazards in the home,” State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said. “The place where we spend the most of our time should be a sanctuary of safety and not a cause of concern.”

The Pittsfield Fire Department will be holding its annual “OPEN HOUSE” on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Fire Department Headquarters Station which is located at 74 Columbus Ave in beautiful downtown Pittsfield. The Open House runs from 11 AM to 2 PM.

All members of the public are invited to visit with the local Firefighters and learn what can be done to

PREVENT HOME FIRES

In 2006, United States Fire Departments responded to almost 400,000 home structure fires of which, many could have been prevented by taking some simple and easy precautions like candle safety, safe cooking practices, home heating precautions and many other fire safety practices.

Bring the kids, meet and talk to “BOOTS” the Fire Dog. Enter the Safe House and learn what everyone can do to be FIRE SAFE. Come and meet and Talk to the Firefighters on duty that protect our City every single day, and see all the special equipment used for firefighting. Kids can sit inside real Fire Engines and have their pictures taken with their new bright red Fire Chief Helmets on. Come and find out what you can do, to make your home safe and prevent home fires.
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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