PITTSFIELD - Elder Services held its 33rd annual meeting on Oct. 24 at the Wahconah Country Club, with more than 180 people in attendance.
The organization welcomed four new board members, Elaine Christopher, Karen Gold, Terrence Hanlon and Joseph Tirrell, who were elected to serve two-year terms. Officers elected to one-year terms for 2007-2008, are President Barbara I. Kie, Vice President Sully Garofano, Treasurer Christopher King and Clerk Carole Siegel.
Richard J. Matthews, who retired from his position as board president, was named board member of the year.
Elder Services has more than 120 full and part-time staff, 13 of whom were honored with longevity awards, ranging from 5 to 20 years.
Executive Director Robert P. Dean gave his annual report, part of which is excerpted here:
"Here at Elder Services, we recognize the overwhelming preference of Berkshire County seniors to continue to live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible ... and, if or when they need long-term care services, to receive those services at home. At the heart of Elder Services is a commitment to honor this preference with all the resources available to us.
During the past year, we served more seniors than ever before, supporting them in their desire to continue to live in their own homes and communities, with dignity and independence, and to achieve the highest quality of life. Elder Services staff worked tirelessly to ensure that each senior received the services they needed.
Many thanks to our staff and volunteers, who together are the heart and soul of this great agency. Although we serve more than 10,000 seniors, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities a year, we serve one person at a time, with care and compassion, thanks to your dedication and commitment. You are truly outstanding. You are without equal."
Matthews, the event's main speaker, spoke on "Two Very Different Worlds," in which he contrasted his for-profit and non-profit work experiences.
"I have enjoyed two careers over the past 50 years. First, I spent almost 40 years working in the 'for-profit' world, where the 'bottom line' drove the daily operations," he said. "In 1996, I retired from that world and, soon after, I joined Elder Services as a volunteer shopper, later volunteering as a nursing home ombudsman. I was then hired as an Elder Services case manager, and since retiring from that position in 2001, I have served as a member of the board of directors. I feel very fortunate and proud to have been a part of such an outstanding organization, and I wish them continued success in future years."
Established in 1974, the nonprofit agency, serves more than 10,000 seniors, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers a year, offering Meals on Wheels, information and referral, in-home supports, housing programs, protective services and elder intervention, money management, volunteer services, caregiver supports, Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE), monthly Berkshire Senior newspaper, and the Berkshire Senior cable TV show.
For more information on volunteering or services, contact Louisa Weeden or Robert Dean at 413-499-0524.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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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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