PITTSFIELD – Mayor James M. Ruberto announced today that the City of Pittsfield has begun the annual gas pump inspection process. During the months of June and July the Sealer of Weights & Measures will inspect all 21 gas stations throughout Pittsfield to guarantee that the proper amount of fuel is dispensed at the proper price.
“Last week at the energy public hearing, Senator Kerry mentioned an Exxon Mobil executive crude oil should be between $50 and $55 per barrel; yesterday it reached $124,” said Mayor Ruberto. “Gas prices have just been going up, so it is very important that we make sure the equipment is working correctly so our residents are not being overcharged.”
State law requires that every community inspect gas pumps each and every year. The process to verify all gas pumps start with pumping ten gallons of fuel into a container then weighted to ensure the accurate amount of fuel was dispensed and the correct price is shown. If the pump is functioning properly then a inspection sticker is placed on the pump, if it is not working right, then the pump is shut off until it is properly fixed, only to be inspected again.
“Each year we get phone calls about ‘pump jump’ and that prices don’t match up,” said Paul Vacchina, Pittsfield’s Sealer or Weights & Measures. “Sometimes ‘pump jump’ occurs when a change in temperature overnight creates a slight contraction in the line first thing in the morning. With today’s gas prices ‘pump jump’ can result in a loss of five, 10 or even 20 cents.”
If you have any questions or concerns call Paul Vacchina at 499-9302.
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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