Pittsfield Farmers Market Opens Saturday

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First Street Parking Lot Across from the Common
Saturdays • 9am-1pm • May 11 - October 26

Join us tomorrow, May 11, for the opening of the NEW Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market! We're taking over just half of the parking lot on First Street across from the Common from 9am-1pm. Not to worry, there's plenty of FREE parking available!

Come by with the family and stock up on some new items and old favorites. We'll even have a coffee booth, fun with food for the kids by Food Adventures, music and a raffle to enjoy while you shop.

Opening Day Schedule:

  • 9am: Ribbon Cutting ceremony with Mayor, Daniel L. Bianchi, along with the Farmers Market partners, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Alchemy Initiative
  • 9am - 1pm: 4-H Club at the Community Booth
  • 9:15am: Magician Eric Durant wandering throughout the Farmers
  • 9:30am: Spinach salad how-to with guest chef Pam Tobin (Executive Director of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.)
  • 10am - 12pm: Music by Berkshire Mountain Breeze
  • 11am - 12pm: FREE WORKSHOP CET presents "Home Composting Made Easy"
The NEW Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market wouldn't be possible without the support of all of the volunteers, hundreds of hours invested by the partners to get it up and running and financial contributions made by our sponsors:
  • Mid-Level Sponsor Greylock Federal Credit Union
  • Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
  • Berkshire Health Systems
  • Massachusetts Cultural Council
  • RB Design Co.
  • BBE Office Interiors
  • MyCom Federal Credit Union
See you tomorrow and every Saturday through October 26 from 9am-1pm! We'll be there rain or shine...

Locally yours,
The Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market
 
Our Mission: The Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market provides a venue for local farmers, food producers, and artisans to come together to bring fresh, locally-grown and produced food and related products to the community. The market encourages direct communication between consumers and producers, fosters community building, and promotes healthy living. The Market is a collaboration between the City of Pittsfield, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Alchemy Initiative.

Farmers & Food Producers:


Berkshire Mountain Bakery

Sourdough artisanal breads
http://www.berkshiremountainbakery.com/
 

Climbing Tree Farm

Pasture-raised pork, grass-fed lamb, cutting boards, photo notecards
http://climbingtreefarm.blogspot.com/
 

Cricket Creek Farm

Artisanal farmstead cheese, butter, buttermilk, whey, fresh baked goods, eggs, beef, veal. Ready-to-eat grilled cheese.
http://www.cricketcreekfarm.com
 

Dutch Desserts

European-style fruit tarts, chocolate tarts, other unique desserts
http://www.dutchdesserts.com
 

Elmartin Farm

Grass-fed beef, pasture-rasied pork
http://wwwid.tripod.com/elmartinfarm
 

For the Love of Pie

Pecan pie, pie tarts (made with 100% local maple syrup)
http://fortheloveofpieco.com/
 

Hancock Shaker Village

Starter vegetables, potted herbs, potted flowers, CSA shares
http://www.hancockshakervillage.org
 

Hilltop Orchards and Furnace Brook Winery

Apples, cider, baked goods, cheese, preserves, wine
http://www.hilltoporchards.com
 

Holiday Brook Farm

Grass-fed & pastured meats, organic veggies, maple syrup, wool yarns
http://www.holidaybrookfarm.com
 

Hosta Hill

Kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh
http://www.hostahill.com
 

How We Roll

Food truck: rolls, popcorn, sweets, drinks
http://www.howweroll-shirecity.com
 

Muttley Crew Dog

Bakery Natural, preservative-free dog treats and cuisine.
 

North Plain Farm / Blue Hill Farm

Chicken, pork products and cuts, beef cuts, eggs, grilled sausages (ready-to-eat)
http://www.northplainfarm.com
 

Nutrition Center

Food Adventures is a hands-on Learning experience for students to learn about nutrition and healthy food choices.
http://food-adventures.org/
 

Row by Row Farm

Vegetables, eggs, broiler chickens
http://www.rowbyrowfarm.com
 

Ryan Landscaping

Flowers and shrubs, annuals and perrenials, hanging baskets, flats and containers, firewood, compost and topsoil
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Landscaping-Lawn-Care/121465531201497?fref=ts
 

Taft Farms

Fruits, vegetables, prepared foods, goats milk soap
http://www.taftfarms.com
 

Windy Ridge Farm

Vegetables, bedding plants, eggs
http://www.windyridgeorganics.com
 

Wyomanock Farm

Varied vegetables, eggs, grass-fed beef
http://www.WyoFarm.com

Artisans:


Ali Herrmann Artwork & Jewelry

Jewelry, watercolors (inspired by botanicals), encaustics and paintings
http://www.aliherrmann.com/, http://www.theotherali.etsy.com

Diane Firtell Designs

Decorative flowerpots, notecards, jewelry, small works of art
http://www.dianefirtell.com

JK Custom Furniture & Design

Cutting boards, cheese boards, Live edge serving boards, Serving trays
http://jkcabinetsandfurniture.org/

Justin Green Massage

Massage
http://www.justingreenmassage.com

Wheel and Loom

Handwoven textiles, pottery, woodcrafts (cutting boards, spoons, and tables)
http://www.wheelandloom.com

 

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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