Lanesborough News: Drop in School Funds
iBerkshires ContributorLANESBOROUGH - The town appears to be on the losing end when it comes to Gov. Deval Patrick's proposed budget.
Despite reports in other media saying Lanesborough will receive an increase, Town Manager Paul Boudreau told the Selectmen last Monday that the town may actually get $65,000 less next year in school aid than this year. He also reported that school-choice numbers are down $105,000; "we apparently are sending out more elementary schoolchildren than we are taking in."
Boudreau also gave the Selectmen quotes for exterior painting for Town Hall and the town kennel; reviewed sample permit application forms for the new storm-water bylaw; indicated that Dan Merson was interested in the position of animal control officer job; said the cost of electricity is 7.2 cents per kilowatt-hour, which could increase significantly by next December, and forwarded a request from a resident to extend the B bus stop to Bradley Farm.
During public comments, Alice Spatz, chairman of the Tree and Forest Committee, reported on the removal of a diseased elm tree on Summer Street across the street from the Champion Elm. She said funds from private donations will be used to have the diseased tree removed.
James Torra of Katherine Street said he has been having significant problems with sediment and flooding. He believes the sources to be from across the street on the north side of Bull Hill Road as well as from a stream orginating from across the street. He was concerned that his septic system as well as his entire property was in harms way and requested the Selectmen's assistance. The Selectmen were to meet with the Conservation Committee later that night therefore they asked Torra to wait for that meeting.
The Selectmen appointed Joe Szcepanik to the Senior Center Building Committee. The committee will meet with a grant consultant on Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m.
The board set a public hearing on Feb. 25 for a new liquor license at the request of Timothy and Wendy Hamilton. The notice will be published in the paper on Feb. 11.
At 8:15 p.m., the Selectmen met with the Conservation Commission to talk further about Macht property on Bailey Road and to continue to address the Torra issue. After much discussion, the Selectmen voted 2-1 to write a request for proposals for Macht, with Macht paying the fee to get his project moving along. The Selectmen also asked the commission to research further on the Torra situation to assist in getting his predicament resolved.
Primary numbers: Of the town's 2,089 registered voters, 777, or 37 percent, voted in Tuesday's primary.
In the Democratic primary, Hillary Clinton received 332 votes and Barack Obama 255; in the Republican primary, John McCain received 91, Mitt Romney 52, Michael Huckabee 14 and Ron Paul 8.
Information provided by Lanesborough Concerned Citizens Newsletter. To receive the weekly newsletter with more Lanesborough news, e-mail ahartheimer@yahoo.com.
