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Health departments in Pittsfield and Lanesborough are advising residents to avoid swimming in Pontoosuc Lake until it can be tested for a cyanobacteria bloom.

Boards of Health Issue Advisory on Algae Bloom in Pontoosuc

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has identified visual evidence of algae in Pontoosuc Lake that may exceed the department's guidelines for recreational water bodies in Massachusetts.   
 
Guidance from DPH's Bureau of Environmental Health has prompted the Pittsfield Health Department and Lanesborough Board of Health to issue a public health advisory emphasizing that swimming and boating is not advisable until test results for presence of a cyanobacteria bloom are available and can be confirmed early next week; until this determination, the advisory for no swimming and boating in the lake is in effect, stated the city's Public Health Director Gina Armstrong.
 
As of Thursday, July 25, the DPH has advisories listed for eight harmful algae blooms in the state, from Cape Cod to central Massachusetts.
 
Per recommendations from the state:
 
People are advised to avoid contact with the water in the affected area.  When in doubt, it's best to keep out. 
 
• Individuals should not swim, paddle, boat, or fish in any section of the waterbody where the water is discolored or where you see foam or mats of algae on the water's surface. 
 
• People should rinse off with fresh water immediately if they or their pet comes into contact with the water.  If they believe they or their pet are experiencing any adverse health effects, they should contact their doctor or veterinarian immediately 
 
According to Marc Nascarella, chief toxicologist for the DPH, blue-green algae flourishes in hot weather and nutrient-laden storm water. As the region experiences more hot days and heavy rainstorms, harmful algal blooms will become more common.
 
Algae blooms can change the water's appearance from slightly discolored to resembling pea soup or thick paint.  Blooms frequently appear blue or green but could be another color, such as brown or red.  You cannot tell if a bloom has toxins by looking at it.  Algae blooms can also give the water a bad odor or taste. 
 
For additional information, the public is encouraged to visit the following websites:

Tags: algae,   health advisory,   Pontoosuc,   

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Central Berkshire School Officials OK $35M Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a $35 million budget for fiscal 2025 during its meeting on Thursday.
 
Much of the proposed spending plan is similar to what was predicted in the initial and tentative budget presentations, however, the district did work with the Finance subcommittee to further offset the assessments to the towns, Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said. 
 
"What you're going see in this budget is a lower average assessment to the towns than what you saw in the other in the tentative budget that was approved," she said. 
 
The fiscal 2025 budget is $35,428,892, a 5.56 percent or $1,867,649, over this year's $33,561,243.
 
"This is using our operating funds, revolving revenue or grant revenue. So what made up the budget for the tentative budget is pretty much the same," Director of Finance and Operations Gregory Boino said.
 
"We're just moving around funds … so, we're using more of the FY25 rural aid funds instead of operating funds next year."
 
Increases the district has in the FY25 operating budget are from active employee health insurance, retiree health insurance, special education out-of-district tuition, temporary bond principal and interest payment, pupil transportation, Berkshire County Retirement contributions, and the federal payroll tax. 
 
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