That's Life: Memorial Day Regrets

By Phyllis McGuireiBerkshires Columnist
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On Memorial Day, a friend I happened to meet was holding four red carnations. 

"I planted flowers at the cemetery yesterday, and today I'll give a carnation to each of the veterans who live in my building," she said. Then she added that she hoped no one would misunderstand, thinking she wanted to capture the interest of any of the four veterans.
 
I told her I was glad she had not let that possibility prevent her from being so thoughtful.
 
There have been times in my life when I hesitated performing what others call an act of kindness, but which I think of as a purpose born in the heart.
 
Once, I rejected a lonely widower's invitation to dinner, because I feared people might "talk" about our being together. My fear was not unfounded as I had heard people gossiping about a widower and a single woman who simply exercised together, taking walks in the countryside.
 
Tongues wagged, too, when a married man and a married woman were seen in a hotel together, waiting to be seated in the dining room. Should the man and woman have worn a sign informing the public that their spouses, who graduated from the same high school, were to join them as soon as they returned from a class reunion event? 
 
I abhor gossiping, but occasionally at social events, I find it impossible to avoid people who seem to take pleasure in repeating what would best be kept to themselves, or embellishing the truth to make it scintillating.
 

I was a coward not to have dinner with the widower. He was a kind gentleman, and when his wife and my husband were alive, we all enjoyed each other's company. But I cannot undo the past, and I will never again have a chance to accept an invitation from him. He died in a veteran's home three years ago.
 
Memorial Day, when we honor those who served our country, I thought of him. In the future, I will do my best not to worry about what people might imagine.  
 
Since this year Memorial Day fell on my wedding anniversary, I found myself wishing I could correct any errors or omissions I committed as a wife.
 
After all, in the scheme of things, what did it matter that Bill did not call to tell me he would be late for dinner? When he forgot his key to the front door, was it really such a bother to open it for him?

If he failed to dry the dinner dishes, why did I not just thank him for everything else he had done to help me that day? 

And why did I not tell him more often that I loved him? But, I should not torment myself. He knew I loved him and I knew he loved me.
 
And every time Bill gave me a rose, attended a wake in my stead, made a cup of tea for me, just because I looked tired, fetched my wristwatch when I unwittingly left it in the bathroom after taking a bath, it was an unspoken "I love you."
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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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