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Public Forum Set on Mount Greylock Building Project

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Mt. Greylock Regional School Building Committee will hold a public forum on the current building project on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Williamstown Elementary School auditorium.

“The committee invites all members of the public to learn in more detail about the project and to ask questions,” committee co-chair Paula Consolini said. “We want citizens to be as informed as possible before voting on the project.”

In Williamstown, that ballot vote will take place on March 1 along with the presidential primary. The ballot vote in Lanesborough is scheduled for March 15. The project will also be discussed at a special Lanesborough town meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. at Lanesborough Elementary School.

After a decade of local effort, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in 2014 invited the Mt. Greylock District into the process by which the authority guides districts through building projects and reimburses a significant portion their expenses.

Based on the school’s educational plan, studies of the current building, and input from the public, the district is proposing a project that would renovate the gym, the auditorium, and the structure that connects them; take down the academic areas; and replace the latter with a new wing.



The school district’s share of the project cost is expected to range between $31.5-$35.5 million after state reimbursement.  That cost would be split between the district’s two member towns: one-third to Lanesborough and two-thirds to Williamstown.

The votes (on March 1 in Williamstown and March 15 in Lanesborough) will be on whether to exclude payments on this debt from the limitations of Proposition Two and a Half. Each town has to approve that exclusion by a simple majority for the project to move forward.

The Feb. 11 meeting follows a school-wide band and orchestra Valentine's Day concert in the auditorium, which starts at 5 p.m. and is open to the public.
 

 


Tags: MGRHS school project,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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