Cariddi Hosting Information Forum on Ballot Questions

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — State Rep. Gailanne M. Cariddi of North Adams is hosting an informational forum this week on ballot questions.

The event will be held Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the third floor of the North Adams Public Library.

Cariddi will explain the four referundums being presented to voters in the Nov. 4 general election: eliminating gas tax indexing, expanding the bottle bill to cover noncarbonated beverages, prohibiting casinos and instituting earned sick time.

The forum will give the public an opportunity to learn about the questions and how residents and communities will be affected. Each of the questions will have a distinct impact on both public and private enterprises.

Cariddi welcomes 1st Berkshire District residents to attend.  For questions, call 617-722-2450 or 413-664-6812. More information on the questions can also be found here.

Question 1: Eliminating Gas Tax Indexing

Do you approve of a law that would reverse a current law that funds road and bridge repairs?

This proposed law would eliminate the requirement that the state's gasoline tax, which was 24 cents per gallon as of September 2013, (1) be adjusted every year by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index over the preceding year, but (2) not be adjusted below 21.5 cents per gallon.

Question 2: Expanding the Beverage Container Deposit Law

Do you approve of a law that would include a deposit fee on non-carbonated beverage containers?

SUMMARY



This proposed law would expand the state's beverage container deposit law, also known as the Bottle Bill, to require deposits on containers for all non-alcoholic non-carbonated drinks in liquid form intended for human consumption, except beverages primarily derived from dairy products, infant formula, and FDA-approved medicines. The proposed law would not cover containers made of paper-based biodegradable material and aseptic multimaterial packages such as juice boxes or pouches.

Question 3: Expanding Prohibitions on Gaming

Do you approve of a law that would reverse the law currently in effect on gaming?

SUMMARY

This proposed law would (1) prohibit the Massachusetts Gaming Commission from issuing any license for a casino or other gaming establishment with table games and slot machines, or any license for a gaming establishment with slot machines; (2) prohibit any such casino or slots gaming under any such licenses that the Commission might have issued before the proposed law took effect; and (3) prohibit wagering on the simulcasting of live greyhound races.

Question 4: Earned Sick Time for Employees

Do you approve of a law that would allow employee to earn sick time?

SUMMARY

This proposed law would entitle employees in Massachusetts to earn and use sick time according to certain conditions.


Tags: ballot,   election 2014,   referendum,   


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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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