Clarksburg Appoints Interim Administrator; Election Papers Available

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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Selectmen Jeffrey Levanos and Chairwoman Lily Kuzia appointed an interim town administrator and approved a used-car license.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday night approved Deborah Choquette as the interim town administratort.

Choquette, the town's administrative assistant, was approved by Chairwoman Lily Kuzia and Selectman Jeffrey Levanos to replace retired Town Administrator Thomas Webb until a new administrator is officially voted in.

The board is expected to interview at least two more candidates for the position Thursday evening, March 6. Three candidates were interviewed last Thursday.

In addition to approving Choquette, the board approved Thomas Rotolo to hold a Class Two used-car license for selling cars from his home. The license has been approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals, but with stipulations.

Rotolo can have no more than three vehicles outside for sale at one time and all others must be stored inside the garage. No advertisement or attention-seeking devises can be used, and he must erect a 6-foot fence to shield visibility from the road.  All repairs and materials are to be stored in the garage at the 685 Walker St. location.

The board also approved an extension to May 1 for a Wells Avenue resident to stay in the home the town had taken last year.

Levanos added that there is an opening on the Finance Committee and three openings on the Zoning Board of Appeals for one member and two alternates. Any one interested in serving should contact Town Hall.

The board also discussed the election schedule and deadlines. The town election will be held on May 27.

The last day to obtain nomination papers will be April 4, and the last day to submit nomination papers will be April 8. Papers can be picked up in the town clerk's office on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. or by leaving a message for appointment with Town Clerk Carol Jammalo at 413-663-8255 or ClarksburgTclerk@gmail.com.

The last day to object or withdraw will be April 24. The last day to register to vote in the election or at town meeting will be May 5, and the last day to post published warrants will be May 20.

The following seats up for election and current incumbents are:
    Tree Ward - 1 year  (Ernest Dix)
    Moderator - 1 Year  (Bryan Tanner)
    Board of Selectman - 2 Years  (Vacant)
    Board of Selectman - 3 Years  (Lily Kuzia)
    Library Trustee - 3 Years  (Linda Hurlbut)
    Board of Health - 3 Years  (Paula Wells)
    War Memorial Trustee - 3 Years  (Joseph Bushika)
    School Committee - 3 Years  (Jeff Levanos)
    Planning Board - 5 Years  (Audrey Matys)


Tags: town administrator,   town elections,   

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Clarksburg Gets 3 Years of Free Cash Certified

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town officials have heaved a sigh of relief with the state's certification of free cash for the first time in more than three years.
 
The town's parade of employees through its financial offices the past few years put it behind on closing out its fiscal years between 2021 and 2023. A new treasurer and two part-time accountants have been working the past year in closing the books and filing with the state.
 
The result is the town will have $571,000 in free cash on hand as it begins budget deliberations. However, town meeting last year voted that any free cash be used to replenish the stabilization account
 
Some $231,000 in stabilization was used last year to reduce the tax rate — draining the account. The town's had minimal reserves for the past nine months.
 
Chairman Robert Norcross said he didn't want residents to think the town was suddenly flush with cash. 
 
"We have to keep in mind that we have no money in the stabilization fund and we now have a free cash, so we have now got to replenish that account," he said. "So it's not like we have this money to spend ... most of it will go into the stabilization fund." 
 
The account's been hit several times over the past few fiscal years in place of free cash, which has normally been used for capital spending, to offset the budget and to refill stabilization. Free cash was last used in fiscal 2020.
 
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