Courtney Hamilton and her daughter, Jordan, will live in the former Hamilton home on Division Street.
PITTSFIELD - When Shirley Hamilton donated her house to Habitat for Humanity in 2002, she hoped it would be occupied by a family who would appreciate it like she and her family had. She never imagined that her own granddaughter would someday call it home.
"My mother always wanted the house to go to someone who would raise their children there," said Marilyn Hamilton, one of Shirley and Randolph Hamilton’s seven children. "By some miracle, it came back to a family member."
On Sunday, the Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity officially dedicated the home at 31 Division St. and handed over the keys to Courtney Hamilton, the daughter of Shirley and Randolph’s son, Roger. Along with her own daughter, Jordan, 5, Hamilton has lived at the residence since Sept. 1 and intends to stick around for awhile.
"We’re not going anywhere," Hamilton said. "I’m glad that my daughter can have a piece of family history to pass on."
Owned by the Hamiltons beginning in 1960, Shirley and Randolph raised their seven children and three foster children in the house. Unable to care for needed repairs, the children passed the property along to Habitat for Humanity, which repaired the foundation, completely renovated the interior and redesigned the floor plan.
At the time the house was donated, Courtney Hamilton was in the process of performing "sweat equity" - hours of labor that homeowners must undergo before they can move into their homes - and was able to work on her grandparents' old house. Nearly three years later, the single-family home is hers.
"It’s a blessing," Hamilton said. "I remember going there as a kid and seeing my grandparents. I mean, the floor plan is totally different but I still see the house the same as when I was a little girl."
"It’s one of the most beautiful houses and Courtney poured her love and effort into making a stunning showcase of a house," said Sara Hathaway, president of the Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.
With only small landscaping work still needed in the front yard of the property, the Hamiltons hope the rebuilt home will bring the family closer together.
"That house was always full of fun, tradition and family. I think Courtney will bring that back," said Marilyn Hamilton.
Working primarily in Pittsfield, Habitat chapter partners with volunteers, families and communities to build or rehabilitate homes for qualified families. Hathaway said the organization typically completes 1 1/2 houses a year.
"This organization builds community like nothing I’ve ever seen in Pittsfield, in the Berkshires and all over the country," she said.
As Habitat prepares to move onto its new projects, Courtney is thankful she can finally settle into the house she worked so hard to renovate.
"It’s been a long process and I’ve shed many tears but it’s been worth the wait," Hamilton said.
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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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