CHESHIRE, Mass. — With the town's 225 anniversary around the corner, the Selectmen are seeking community input for possible festivities.
The town will celebrate its bicenquasquigenary this coming March and already a group of citizens is forming to plan multiple events.
"We would like to initiate a committee being formed and we already have a bunch of people interested," resident Justin Kruszyna told the Selectmen on Tuesday. "It's up to you guys but we brain stormed about our events and everything we would like to do and help and assist."
Kruszyna said a group of residents, who have organized events such as the Cruise Night, the Cheshire Cheese Fest and block parties, gathered earlier this month and agreed that they would like to have multiple events throughout next year.
"In our little brain storming session, we were looking at smaller individual things," resident Barry Emery said. "Maybe a concert one month, something else the next month and I think we came up with about half a dozen ideas."
Before officially forming a committee, the Selectmen thought it might be beneficial to see if there is any more interest in the community.
Kruszyna said the group is holding another brain-storming session on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall annex.
"We want to put it out there and if anyone else is interested, they are more than welcome to join us," he said. "It is coming up quick. Seven months is March."
The town was incorporated in 1793, nearly three decades after it was first settled by largely Rhode Islanders as the "New Providence Purchase." The town was nearly called Vernum but at the last, the name Cheshire was determined upon.
In other business, Chairman Robert Ciskowski said he wanted to tighten up the selectmen's meeting agendas and possibly hold meetings solely focused on town business.
"Every year it seems like we run out of time doing the budget ... because we try to take care of the needs of the public on a walk-in basis," he said. "As an officer of a $5 million business, I feel like I am taking care of pot holes or animal complaints and I am not sure if I am giving enough time towards long-term planning."
Normally the selectmen field residents' concerns as they walk, pausing the meeting, and sometimes meetings run as late as 9 p.m.
Selectman Edmund St. John IV suggested holding informal workshop meetings every other week during which residents can freely speak and hold business meetings on the other Tuesdays that will adhere more strongly to an agenda. Open Meeting Law requires boards stick to discussing only agenda items except in limited cases.
"I like that idea," he said. "I think it would make formal meetings more effective."
Ciskowski added that he wants to extend this organization to other departments and boards to improve communication in Town Hall. He said it may be beneficial to schedule meetings with other departments and boards.
"Maybe not meet with entire boards ... but possibly invite the chairman in for five minutes to touch base," he said. "We may all be in Town Hall but sometimes we just don't communicate."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Cheshire Tag Sale and Bazaar
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Cheshire Community Association (CCA) announced the return of the Cheshire Community Tag Sale and Bazaar for its second year.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9 AM to 1 PM, the event offers a day of treasure hunting, local craftsmanship, and treats at the Cheshire Community House located at 191 Church St, Cheshire.
Attendees can explore a variety of offerings, including handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles, and food options. The hot food truck, operated by the Berkshire Lodge of Masons AF & AM, will be stationed in the courtyard, serving up treats throughout the event.
One of the highlights of this year's event is the fundraising raffle, with all proceeds set to benefit the Cheshire Food Pantry. Participants can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes, supporting a worthy cause that serves the local community.
Registration for vendors interested in participating in the bazaar is currently open, with fees ranging from $10 to $30. Cheshire residents looking to showcase their items from home can have their locations advertised on the event map for a fee of $10. The deadline for registration is set for Friday, April 26, 2024.
Registration forms can be obtained from various locations across Cheshire, including A to Z Printing, Cheshire Community House, Cheshire Library, Cheshire Glassworks, Cheshire Senior Center, the Cheshire Community Association Facebook page, and the Cheshire Town website.
For more information about the event, including vendor registration and sponsorship opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to contact Jenny Gadbois at (413) 841-0844 or via email at jlgadbois@icloud.com.
Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more
Pittsfield High's Matt Dupuis and Lee's Bella Kotek Sunday completed a Berkshire County sweep at the State Bowling Championships at Bowlero.
click for more
Emily Holian’s strike to open the 10th frame of the Wildcats’ second game against Worcester Tech all but assured Lee a team title at Bowlero Chicopee.
click for more
Hoosac struggled to get into rhythm on the offensive end until Joey McGovern got the 3-ball working. McGovern finished the game with 21 points including a triple in the fourth quarter that cemented him in the record books. It took him nearly the whole game but he was able to join the 1,000-point... click for more
Pittsfield High's Eliza Mullen won state title and in the giant slalom and slalom, winning the former discipline by 1.6 seconds and the latter by nearly 2.7 seconds.
click for more