BHS appoints Director of Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

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Dr J Mark Peterman
Pittsfield – Berkshire Medical Center announces the appointment of J. Mark Peterman, M.D., a widely respected Interventional Cardiologist as the Director of the BMC Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. Dr. Peterman is fellowship trained in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology and Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Peterman joins Cardiology Services at Berkshire Health Systems, a team of highly trained cardiology providers serving the Berkshires and surrounding communities. He is partnering with Jeffrey Leppo, M.D., David Finck, M.D., William Levy, M.D., Kyle Ann Cooper, M.D, Lisa Massie, M.D., Roberta Erena, M.D., Philip Bhark, M.D., Martin Broder, M.D. and Physician Assistants John Henry, Rebecca Takis-Smith and Robert Tebben in providing a broad range of cardiology services, with a practice located in the BMC Medical Arts Complex, 777 North Street in Pittsfield and at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington. Dr. Peterman has served as a Cardiologist with Baystate Medical Center in Springfield since 1989, practicing with RiverBend Cardiology Group and has recently accepted a position with the full-time faculty at Baystate Medical Center as an Interventional Cardiologist. His area of special interest involves the use of percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty) for the treatment of an acute heart attack. Dr. Peterman previously served as Medical Director for the Intensive Care Unit at Cooley-Dickinson Hospital in Northampton from 1982 to 1986, and was on the medical staff at Cooley-Dickinson from 1979 to 1986. He also worked for Amherst Internal Medicine during that time period. Dr. Peterman received his Medical Degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He completed his internship and residency training at Baystate Medical Center, where he also received his fellowship training in Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Peterman is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and an Interventional Cardiologist with the Baystate Medical Education and Research Foundation at Baystate Medical Center. Appointments with Dr. Peterman or any of his colleagues can be made by calling 395-7580.
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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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