 Pittsfield Council Sets FY26 Tax RateThe City Council has set the fiscal year 2026 tax rate: $17.50 per $1,000 of valuation for residential property and $36.90 for commercial, industrial, and personal property.  North Adams' Average Tax Bill Climbs $126; McCarron Sworn in as CouncilorThe City Council on Wednesday approved a split tax rate that maintains a shift of 1.715 to business and commercial properties. Pittsfield Tax Rate Drops, But Bills May RiseThe administration has presented a split rate that would increase the average single-family home's annual bill by about $220. Lanesborough Tax Rate Up 3%The Select Board has adopted a single tax rate that will increase the average homeowner's annual bill by about $350. Adams Sees Tax Rate Drop; Property Tax Bill to Rise 2%The Board of Selectmen set a split tax rate, which means $15.63 per $1,000 valuation for residential and a 30 percent shift at $21.50 for commercial, industrial and personal property with Selectman Joseph Nowak voting no. Dalton to Decide Budget Changes, CBRSD AgreementFour articles are to authorize funding for specific projects and address budget changes and the fifth will revisit the Central Berkshire Regional School District's regional agreement. Unpaid Mall Taxes Won't Increase Lanesborough Tax RateAt the previous meeting, town officials discussed some $500,000 missing from the road district's approved budget for fiscal 2026.  Half-Million Unpaid Mall Bills Could Fall on Lanesborough TaxpayersThe Select Board has agreed to an executive session with the road district and Finance Committee, if possible, to discuss how they will account for more than $500,000 missing from the approved fiscal 2026 budget. Adams Town Meeting Set Tuesday; Workshop Scheduled ThursdayTown meeting members will vote on $19,530,254 spending plan for fiscal 2026, plus capital purchases, grant authorizations, and a new compensation plan. Pittsfield OKs $226M Budget for FY26On Tuesday, the unanimous vote was taken quickly after four nights of departmental budget hearings over the last month. North Adams Finance Approves Public Services BudgetsThe anticipated budget is projected is up about $3.4 million, largely driven by material expenses, wages, and insurance. North Adams Finance Begins Review of Fiscal 2026 BudgetThe Finance Committee began its review of the proposed $52 million fiscal 2026 budget on Wednesday. Pittsfield Begins Review of $226M Budget for Fiscal 2026On the second night of fiscal year 2026 budget hearings, the City Council preliminarily approved 11 departmental budgets in 40 minutes. Pittsfield's $226M Budget Mostly Personnel, Expenses, Debt ServiceMayor Peter Marchetti said the $226 million fiscal year 2026 budget is mostly personnel, expenses, and debt services.  Williamstown to Apartment Dwellers: Don't Smoke 'Em if You Got 'EmWilliamstown town meeting Thursday decided to implement a ban on smoking or vaping tobacco products in apartments with more than four units and to limit the number of days in a year that home can be rented as an "Airbnb."  Pittsfield Council Preliminarily OKs School BudgetThe City Council kicked off budget season on Wednesday with a preliminary approval of the Pittsfield Public Schools' $86 million spending plan.  Dalton Chief: Budget Cuts Would Affect Staffing, Response TimesPolice Chief Deanna Strout warned Monday night that significant cuts to her budget would mean losing officers, K-9s and community policing programs. Clarksburg Total Budget for FY26 Up 5.6%The annual town meeting will be presented a total budget for fiscal 2026 of $5,386,082, up $286,598 or 5.6 percent over this year. Clarksburg School Cuts $39K More Out of BudgetThe school budget for fiscal 2026 has been reduced by another $39,000, bringing the percentage increase down to 3.98 percent. At the same time, the tuition proposed for prekindergarten was lifted.  Nearly 5% Budget Increase Proposed For PittsfieldThe city's operating budget and water/sewer rates are on Tuesday's City Council meeting agenda.  Dalton Nixes Police Budget, High School Site Change; Suspends Town MeetingWith another dozen articles still left, voters elected just before 11 p.m. to suspend the annual town meeting and reconvene on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Pittsfield School Committee Adopts $86M BudgetThe School Committee on Wednesday adopted a $86,450,361 budget for fiscal year 2026 that includes an $18 million city contribution and more than $68 million of anticipated Chapter 70 funding. Clarksburg School Officials Cut Fiscal 2026 Budget by $90KThe cuts include a reduction in hours in the school for the dean of students, cutting the tuition to Drury High by a third, imposing tuition for 4-year-olds in prekindergarten and trimming supplies and training. Dalton Fire District Approves Tentative BudgetThe Fire District's Prudential Committee approved an anticipated budget of more than three million during its meeting on Wednesday. Lanesborough Facing Over 6% Budget IncreaseTown Administrator Gina Dario said the operating budget's 6.27 percent increase is the highest in her three years as town administrator. |
