State Releases Additional Aid For Cities and Towns

Staff Reports01:17PM / Monday, October 10, 2011Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON, Mass. — After closing the 2011 books, the state is giving $65 million back to cities and towns.

State Sen. Benjamin Downing, D - Pittsfield, announced the updated figures on Friday and municipalities should expect the money by the end of the month. The money will be distributed to ensure that no city or town receives less in direct aid than it received in Fiscal Year 2011, according to Downing.

"This additional payment represents a commitment my colleagues and I made to our communities back home during the Senate’s budget debate in the spring to provide as much Local Aid support as possible this fiscal year," said Downing. "I hope this additional funding will help cities and towns advance projects and provide local services this year."

An additional $1.5 million will be distributed to the 48 western communities of Downing’s Berkshire, Hampshire and Franklin Senate District. The payments will be made by the State Comptroller by October 31, 2011.

Additional payments to the cities and towns of the Berkshires:

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And North adams gets what?
from: Question	on: 10-10-2011 03:42PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (6)

And North Adams gets what?
from: question	on: 10-10-2011 04:06PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (7)

Lets be transparent and tell how much North Adams received. It would be nice for some of it to go for the new school before any of it is given away.
from: RealWayne	on: 10-10-2011 06:57PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (6)

North Adams received $271,000 more, funds expected to offset the $424,000 deficit for fiscal 2012. The amount is listed on the document in the story.
from: Editor	on: 10-10-2011 07:09PM I Agree (5) - I Disagree (1)

You have to scroll down to see the towns after Monterey, that's what the arrow thingy is for.
from: Silly	on: 10-10-2011 09:34PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

So it would be fair to day the 2012 deficit is now @150k yes?
from: Question	on: 10-11-2011 07:29AM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

This shows that the over 1800 people that voted down the override were correct not the mayor and most of the city council.
from: RealWayne	on: 10-11-2011 08:18AM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (3)

So I dont want to hear anymore about how Mayor Alcombright has to be elected because we have a huge deficit......another scare tactic.....it is $151k.
from: Enough	on: 10-11-2011 09:17AM I Agree (5) - I Disagree (4)

So what will the mayor use a platform now? Vote for me so I can tax you more for the Alcombright School of Scare Tactics?
from: Platform	on: 10-11-2011 12:40PM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (4)

Billsville didn't get very much. Other smaller towns got more. Is this a result of something they did or didn't do? Just askin.'
from: Williamstown	on: 10-11-2011 01:06PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (1)
Editor: The amount of local aid doled out is based on a complex equation. Williamstown doesn't historically get as much as some of the other towns, and therefore doesn't rely on it as much.
I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

The editor is wrong when she states North Adams has a deficit of $400,000 plus. This figure is based upon what the city will need when it sets its tax rate in November. There cannot be a deficit if the tax rate hasn't been set. The Mayor is confused on this and thus the press reports incorrectly. In fact the City can use this money in many different ways including special projects, or for pay raises which the Mayor has promised the unions after the election is over!
from: wrong	on: 10-11-2011 03:12PM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (2)

Would the editor know if, when the $400k deficit is calculated, is that using the current tax rate or the levy limit. Just wondering. Keep in mind if the $271 is not used to pay the deficit, the defecit remains.
from: Comment	on: 10-11-2011 04:49PM I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)

LitNet Opens Pittsfield Location, Seeks Tutors

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
08:17AM / Sunday, September 06, 2026

LitNet has been serving English language learners for 35 years.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For 35 years, the nonprofit Literacy Network has helped adult learners, particularly immigrants, build English and literacy skills, and its new Pittsfield location makes these services more accessible than ever.

Last week, Literacy Network, also referred to as LitNet, started expanding into its new space in Crawford Square, located at 37 North St.

While LitNet primarily serves Spanish-speaking adults, it also works with learners who speak Portuguese, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Eastern European languages such as Ukrainian and Russian.

The organization is maintaining its offices on Park Street in Lee. Executive Director Leigh Doherty said the added 1,500 square feet of space will allow the program to expand upon many of the things it has been doing for years.

The space will serve as a public tutoring hub in Central Berkshire, offering rooms for one-on-one tutoring, classes and workshops, and a welcoming area for learners to read and study. The larger, more visible location will also allow for expanded evening and weekend hours, making it easier for learners and tutors to connect and for community members to discover the program.

Popular workshops include an English for business class, an advanced English book club, and an idioms and slang class to learn the nuances of English, Doherty said. "We listen to our learners."

The feedback the adult learners provide based on their need has helped shape the programs classes and services, she said.

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