NBCC's Fall Neighborlies Honor Community Members

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Annie Rodgers, coordinator of Northern Berkshire Neighbors, pumps up the crowd at the Fall Neighborlies Community Recognition Award Ceremony.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Northern Berkshire Neighbors program of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition held its Fall Neighborlies Community Recognition Award Ceremony at Congregation Beth Israel on Oct. 21 to honor and congratulate individuals and groups in the Northern Berkshire communities whose acts of kindness and volunteer efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of their neighbors and the community.

“One of the most wonderful things about living in Northern Berkshire is that we recognize the importance of saying thank you. We say thank you for small acts of kindness, as well as large feats of bravery. And we do it publicly, and say it loudly. We do so because all these kindnesses are what makes Northern Berkshire such a great place to live,” said Annie Rodgers, coordinator of Northern Berkshire Neighbors.

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition staff and Mayor Richard Alcombright presented Neighborlies to the following recipients:

* Business/Agency Support: Corey Paul and Target, Dan Wohler and MCLA’s Student Government Association, Diane Scott, Doug Jones and Images Cinema, Dr. Tom Whalen, Freight Yard Pub, Jen Crowell, Lisa Donovan, Lisa Labonte, MASS MoCA, Mayor Alcombright, Michelle Daly, Oh Crepe, Rick Orell, Terry Blair and BFAIR.

* Community Health and Wellness: Christa Melillo, Kathy Morrissette, Pastor Dave, Amalio Jusino, Amanda Beckwith, Andi Lampiasi, Ann McDonald and Neighborhood for Health, Annie Pecor, Becky and Caleb Miner, Ben Lamb, Beth Piantoni, Christina King, Corinne Case, Cosmo Catalano, Deborah Leonczyk, Ed Sedarbaum, Jeanne Feder, Jennifer Munoz, Jim Moulton, Josh Bressette Commit To Save A Life Inc., Kenna Waterman, Kory Richardson, Libby Moran, Nicole Anagnos, Pat Duteau, Renee Tassone, Tom Bator, Wendy Krom.



* Groups Pulling Together: A. Jordan Smith, Aaron Rothschild, Adam Tobin, Alice Cande, Alice Rudin, Amy Filson and Cole, Andrew Hall, Anna Kronick, Aubrey Armstrong, Barbara Budnitz, Barbara Kaplan, Bill Levy, Brendan Charmichael, Bret Beattie, Caitlin Mayes, Carol Oshinsky, Carrie Crews, Chaim Bronstein, Charlene Bostwick, Cheryl Sacks, Chip and Ellen Halpern, Christina Kelly, David Kelly-Whitney and Jonah Kelly-Whitney, Christine St. John, Christopher Hantman, Christopher Tate, Cindy Polinsky, Daniel O’Connell, David Lachance, David Lane, Sophie, and Hannah, David Pomerantz, David Ranzer, Debbie Wineberg, Diane Pratt, Ed Oshinsky, Elizabeth Cohen, Elizabeth Laurin, Elizabeth Miller, Elma Sanders, Fern Sann, Geoff Pawlowski, Geraldine Pedercini, Grace Bowen, Greg Wolf, Helene Armet, Housing & Maintenance Staff of Brayton Hill Apartments, Isabel Hanson, J. Manuel Gil-Lissen Dominguez and Deborah de Gil, Jacklynn Pellman, Jennifer Mattern, Joan Rubel, Joanne Ranzer, John Hockridge, Jonathan Del Sordo, Jonathan Hanson, Karen Kelly, Kate Seid and Jesse, Kathy Pindick, Kerri Nicoll, Kimberly Murphy, Lauren Gotlieb, Lori Guy and Jeremy, Lynda Field, Lynda Field, Lynne Davine, Madeline Cohen, Magalis & Brent Filson, Marc Gotlieb, Marty Walter IV, Mary Redstone, Matt Shiebler, Maude Rich, Missy Robare and BFAIR, Nate Massari, Nathan Samson, Pat Luczynski, Roberta Saunders, Robin Brickman, Ron Turbin, Ross Ziskind, Sara and Rick Dubow, Steven Green, Sue Hogan, Susan Gold, Tim Shiebler, Tyler Boutiette, Vin Jensen, Vince Teachout, Vivienne and Marc Jaffe, Wendy Penner and Hannah Fein.

* Neighborly Acts: Aleta Moncecchi, Allison Pevay, Chuck Felix, Common Folk Artist Collective, Dick Alcombright, Edward LaCosse, Enid Shields, Isabel McKenzie, Jen Downs, Jon Dinerstein, Judy Sheehan, Kayla Quinn, Mary Ellen LaFountain, Misha Amaral, Spencer Moser, The Shustack Family, Wanda Gyurasz.

* Youth Taking the Lead: Arianna Ames, Ashanti Sampson, Brian Christian, Caitlin Mayes, Castyn Duteau, Emily Cooper, Harmony Knockless and Extended Family, Matthew Tanguay, Paige Dufur, Ryan Goodell.

The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire County, Massachusetts by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community. It places particular emphasis on strengthening neighborhoods and community life; preventing alcohol/substance abuse; fostering economic development; mitigating poverty; supporting positive youth development and building bridges between residents and service agencies. Northern Berkshire Neighbors is a neighborhood development program of nbCC whose mission is to promote community building by bringing together neighborhood residents of all ages to discover and capitalize upon the potential and resources that exist in their communities and neighborhoods. For information, visit www.nbccoalition.org.

 


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North Adams Schools Talk Final Budget Numbers for Public Hearing

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The elementary schools will be phasing in a new math curriculum over the next two years. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The School Committee received the presentation given last week to the Finance & Facilities committee for the fiscal 2025 spending plan.
 
The subcommittee is recommending the budget of $20,357,096, up $302,744 or 1.51 percent over this year. This was expected to be funded by $16,418,826 in state Chapter 70 education funds, local funding of $3,938,270 (up $100,000 over this year) and a drawdown of school funds of $575,237. This will also include the closure of Greylock School at the end of this year and the reduction of 26 full-time positions. 
 
A hybrid public hearing on the budget will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 5:30 at Brayton School, with a vote by the School Committee to immediately follow. 
 
The extra $100,000 from the city will likely not be part of this funding package, warned Mayor Jennifer Macksey, chair of the School Committee. 
 
"Going through all my process on the city side, so to say, with the rest of my departments, it's going to be really hard for me to squeak out the additional $100,000," said the mayor, alluding to a budget gap of $600,000 to $800,000 for fiscal 2025 she's trying to close. 
 
"I just want to be fully transparent with everyone sitting here, and as your School Committee chair, I don't know if the city budget is going to be able to squeak out that $100,000. That number will most likely change."
 
Director of School Finance and Operations Nancy Rauscher said the $100,000 had been a placeholder with administration understanding that it could change.  
 
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