Windsor News: Town Clerk Runs Again, Rabies Clinic Set

By Noah HoffenbergiBerkshires Correspondent
Print Story | Email Story

Photo by Kirsten Lewis
WINDSOR, Mass. — Veteran Town Clerk Evelyn Bird has taken out papers to run again for the post that she's held for 17 years.

"I'd like another term and make it 20. I truly enjoy it and I'm looking forward to three more years. I love it. I love being the town clerk. I enjoy the people," said Bird on Saturday. "If you want to know something, ask me. If I don't know something, I'll find out who does, and they'll be able to tell you if I can't."

So far, Bird is running unopposed.

Bird, of 3 Hinsdale Road, moved to the town when she married her husband, Leslie, in 1983, but traces her roots in Windsor to her grandmother, who was born in town.

In other election news, Selectwoman Barbara Giusti will not be seeking a third term, said Bird.
Peter Fusini, of 1128 Main Dalton Road, has taken out papers to run for Giusti's three-year seat. This is his first run for office in Windsor, Bird said.

Selectman Steven Markowitz's term doesn't expire until May 2010, and Selectman Stephen Bird Sr. — Evelyn Bird's stepson — completes his term in May 2011.

Hugh Ferry has taken out papers for tree warden, a one-year term. He's held that post for more than three decades, said Bird.

Also open in this year's uncontested elections are: moderator, one year; constable, three years; library trustee, three years; two Finance Committee seats, three years each; two Cemetery Commission posts, three years; and Planning Board, five years. March 23 is the deadline to turn in nomination papers to run for office in Windsor.

Papers can be picked up at the clerk's office during regular office hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondays, or by calling Bird at 413-684-3977.

Bird said there are about 660 registered voters out of Windsor's 900 or so residents. Petitioners need 32 signatures of registered voters to complete a nomination form. The election will be held on May 11 from noon to 8 p.m., and the annual town meeting will be held May 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.


Rabies Clinic on Monday
■ The town will host a rabies clinic on Monday, March 9, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Windsor Fire Station on Route 9. The cost is $10 for each pet.

During the clinic, the town clerk will also be available to process dog licenses, as the deadline for renewals is rapidly approaching on April 1. The cost is $5 for spayed and neutered pets and $10 for unfixed animals.

Bird said there is a $10 late fee for dog licenses that aren't filed by the deadline.
She canceled the annual Top Dog Contest for lack of interest. In the contest, a dog was chosen as the town's No. 1 dog — with an appropriately numbered license to prove it — through the judging of pet photos sent in with license renewals. She said she received only a couple of submissions this year.

Contra Dance
■ There will be a community contra dance held in the Town Hall on Saturday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Windsor Cultural Council, the contra dance is a traditional folk dance — popular in New England and across the globe — in which participants dance with a number of different partners.

Tim Van Egmond will be the caller; David Kaynor and Susan Conger will play fiddle; and Susie Secco will play the keys. Dancegoers need not be too gussied up; casual dress is acceptable.

The event is free and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Marcella Bantjes at 413-684-0153, Katherine Caffrey at 413-684-3722, or Ann Koczela at 413-684-4727.

Senior Luncheon
■ Windsor seniors will hold their monthly lunch on Wednesday, March 11, at 11:30 a.m. at Town Hall. The lunch will consist of corned beef and cabbage, provided by the male members of the luncheon group.

Organizers recommend attendees to wear green to the event.
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.

View Full Story

More Windsor Stories