The Colonial Announces Newly Appointed Board Member

Print Story | Email Story
Pittsfield – The Colonial Theatre announced today the appointment of Jodi Kennedy to its Board of Trustees. Kennedy is general manager of global communications for SABIC Innovative Plastics. She has more than 20 years of experience developing and leading internal and external communications strategies in manufacturing, financial services and technology corporations.

“The Colonial is off to a great start. Now that we’ve transitioned from a construction project to capital campaign fund raising and an actively programmed theater, we are eager to expand the skills and talents of the dedicated advisors who are helping us realize success. Jodi Kennedy is an outstanding community member who is enthusiastic about The Colonial Theatre’s future. She is dedicated to ensuring that the Colonial remains a treasure for all of the people of Berkshire County,” said Gary Scarafoni, President of The Colonial Board of Trustees.

“The Colonial Theatre navigated the always challenging path through the renovation process largely because of the dedication and perseverance of an enthusiastic group of community volunteers. The mission of this performance center will always be to serve the people of the Berkshires. To do that effectively we need to continually attract community representatives who will effectively represent our communities and advocate for the long-term success of the theater. We are so pleased to announce this wonderful new addition to our Board of Trustees,” said Colonial Executive Director David Fleming.

Kennedy joined SABIC Innovative Plastics from Textron in October 2007. In her current role, she is responsible for leading SABIC Innovative Plastics’ global communications team in developing, executing, and managing all internal and external communications strategies worldwide, including public relations, crisis communications, advertising, internal communications, corporate social responsibility, digital communications, and industry trade shows. Kennedy is also responsible for leading the company’s branding efforts and managing major communications initiatives with and across other SABIC businesses and SABIC corporate headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Prior to joining SABIC Innovative Plastics, Kennedy was the director of internal communications for Textron, a $13 billion global multi-industry company with approximately 40,000 employees in 32 countries serving the aircraft, industrial and finance sectors. In this role, Kennedy led various communications efforts across the business. Most notably, she led communications for Textron's business transformation that is resulting in improved business performance. Prior to Textron, Kennedy held numerous roles of increasing responsibility in media relations and investor relations with large corporations including American Power Conversion and Fleet Financial Group (now Bank of America). She began her career as a television news reporter and anchor at WJAR-TV in Providence, R.I. and WLTZ-TV in Columbus, Ga.

Kennedy earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Connecticut. She conducted post-graduate studies in broadcast journalism at both Emerson College and West Virginia University, and completed the Executive Leadership Program, Thunderbird, at the Garvin School of International Management.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories