McCann Technical School Superintendent James Brosnan explained the changes in the regional vocational school district that will allow it to expand to the City Council. He spoke last week to the Williamstown Selectmen.
Mayor Richard Alcombright told the City Council that 16 to 18 applications and resumes have been received for the post and that he expected to close the search in the next week.
"We did not have a lot of responses," he said, in response to a question by Councilor Alan Marden. The mayor said that after speaking to a retired chief from the eastern end of the state, he believed there were two issues at play.
"No. 1, it's an unusual position because it's kind of a hybrid and, No. 2, is the salary," he said. "We're looking for a commissioner to run a public safety department at a salary that many lieutenants in communities across the commonwealth get. ... It's going to be challenging."
The city is seeking to replace retired Commissioner E. John Morocco who had been working part time while it was determined if his position should be maintained.
"When we get that draft back, we'll know where we're at in respect to what we have to do over the next several years to comply," he said, adding that he would present the information to the council before negotiating any settlement.
In other business, the City Council approved a new agreement with the Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District that will allow Lanesborough and Cheshire to join. Those two towns already tuition students to McCann Technical School at a cost of $16,450 per student.
Superintendent James Brosnan said the school district received a Community Innovation Grant to review and amend the original 1958 document and bring it up to 2012 standards.
"The state is looking at this to be a model program, a model district agreement for other regional schools to use - not just the vocational schools but all regional schools," he said.
All seven municipalities covered by the agreement and Lanesborough and Cheshire have to approve the document. The original six towns of Adams, Clarksburg, Florida, Monroe, Savoy and Williamstown will vote at their town meetings.
Should the agreement pass, the city will see a savings in its share of capital costs of $28,000 for fiscal 2014 as well as reductions in transportation costs with the addition of two more towns. The School Committee will no longer appoint one member but instead all five city representatives will be elected.
"This will make the Northern Berkshire Vocational Regional School District in the true sense of the world," said Councilor John Barrett III.
The council also:
• Approved the appointment of Marilyn DeRosa to the Board of Registrars and the reappointment of Kyle Hanlon to the Redevelopment Authority.
• Approved an application for David Bushey of Williamstown to drive a taxi for Lori Smith and an application for the renewal of a secondhand license to James Montepare for Empire Antiques.
• Postponed a inquiry into adding handicapped parking at certain areas downtown to May 29 to allow the Traffic Commission to do more research.
• Approved and passed to a second reading an ordinance banning parking for about 57 feet on the west side of West Main Street, mostly in front of the flatiron apartment building.
• Referred to the General Government Committee a communication submitted by Councilor Jennifer Breen Kirsch to move council meetings to 6 or 6:30 p.m.
Editor's note: We inadvertently posted an older image of the City Council when this story was published last night. The current image is the correct one.
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
Again, what a "Sham" agreed to file, discussing tightening limits on public speaking, Not one councilor out of Eight 'JBIII, could not bring it up as he was the #1 who disagreed before, No "Moxie" to bring this issue even to committee,just silence the public, how embarrassing to say the least, again Council President Bloom gets his way, and can still "Preach from the pulpit" a clear violation of Roberts Rules. its the old 'Snake Oil Salesman " all over again, Nothing more then ZIPO, The greatest show on Earth live and in living Color, P.T. Barnum said it best "There's A Sucker Born Every Minute" 4-25-12 9 A.M.
Absolutely they are a disgraceful bunch of cowards led by bloom.
so it also appears iberkshires has scrapped getting rid of the new comment system....I told you all it was a bad idea.
Also, Kirsch looked liked an idiot with the like oh my gawd, lets move the meeting time for no reason and the really funny, like oh my gawd lets only like allow people to like trick or treat in like their own neighborhoods. So how would this be enforced? Have to show your "papers"
Since the new rules of Ms. Daniels have taken place, very few comments on this blog, maybe people don't like facebook, twitter and all the rest, or maybe not a lot of good topics to say the least.
I'am wondering if the good citizens of North Adams agree with the New Rules of Order by the Council, so I'll ask this question and hope for a response.
Are you happy with the City Council Rules of Order or would you like to change back to the Old ones, or just change things in some of them?
please email me if you would like to look at change" Tomuchbull61@yahoo.com
It's All Up To You's, It's your City.
Reality:
I agree with you on the gang of Seven and Council President Bloom, they all have there own agenda at heart, its a white wask at best, the citizens don't matter.
What I was trying to say is since you now need a log in name, or facebook or twitter etc, very few people are on this blog. just look at this story anout 10 hits or so, down from the 50 -75 hits on a good story, i berkshires has to be taken a big hit these days. 4-26-12 8:30 A.M.
Editor: Hi Mark, you're confusing the number of comments with actual "hits" of people viewing the story. Don't worry, plenty of people are reading it. The difference is the same three or four people who comment aren't now.
