The Northern Berkshire Community Partnership for Children is joining in the nationally celebrated "Week of the Young Child", April 3-9. This year's theme is "Children's Opportunities - Our Responsibilities."
The Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize that children's opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment--at home, at child care, at school, and in the community--that will promote their early learning.
To mark the annual celebration, the Partnership will be hosting various children's and family programs. All programs and events are open to families and children, to early childhood programs and to family day care providers. For more information please call the Partnership at 413-664-4615.
Puppet Show
Sunday, April 3rd from 1:00-2:00pm
Adams Community Center
East Street, Adams
In this fun-filled 40 minutes, master puppeteer and puppet maker Michael Wolski shares the charming world of William K. Whiskers. One by one, Whiskers introduces us to many of his favorite friends. Meet Isabelle, a tiny puppet who lives in a tea kettle and bakes cookies; Billy Take The Garbage Out, a marionette who lives behind the fence with his dog, an old singing shoe and many others! Recycling is a prominent theme in Whisker's world. Can you guess what he makes from a discarded bucket, oven mitt, an egg beater and a toilet plunger? You'll be amazed! Sponsored by Northern Berkshire Community Partnership and Youth Center Inc.
Story Hour and Book-making
Tuesday, April 5th from 6:00-7:00pm
Adams Free Library
Park Street, Adams
Children’s librarian Holli Jayko will read aloud a story. Then parents and children can use a variety of materials (paper, crayons, stamps and stickers) to create their own storybooks! For preschool-aged children. Sponsored by Northern Berkshire Community Partnership and the Adams Free Library.
Can I Scribble With You?
Wednesday, April 6th from 6:30-8:30pm
Lanesborough Elementary School
188 Summer Street, Lanesborough
Workshop for parents, teachers and child care providers. Gain valuable insight into children’s scribbling and early drawing. Learn how scribbling is the building block for writing while discovering the scribbling alphabet! Sponsored by Northern Berkshire Community Partnership and Lanesborough Elementary School.
Ooey-Gooey Night
Thursday, April 7th from 6:00-7:30pm
Brayton Elementary School Cafeteria
20 Barbour Street, North Adams
Come play in our ooey-gooey concoctions. Slime, goop, clean mud, jelly crystals, silly putty and more! Aprons are given out but children should wear clothes that they won’t mind getting wet or dirty. For preschool-aged children. Sponsored by Northern Berkshire Community Partnership.
No Strings Marionette Company Performance
Friday, April 8th at 9:30am
Cheshire Elementary School
191 Church Street, Cheshire
Parents are invited to bring their children to view this FREE performance of “Wasabi: A Dragon’s Taleâ€. Call 664-4615 for more info. Sponsored by Northern Berkshire Community Partnership and Cheshire Elementary School.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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