Williams College volleyball, MIT Invitational

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CAMBRIDGE, MA - The Williams College volleyball team (7-7) split two matches on the first day of the MIT Invitational, setting up a spot in tomorrow's silver bracket. The Ephs began the day by extending their win streak to three with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-17) win over Endicott but could not sustain the momentum in a 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 16-25, 25-12) loss to Springfield.

"We are continuing to improve but we still have a lot more work to do to get where we want to be," said assistant coach Joel Williams.

Against Endicott, the Ephs were especially strong on the block and in the service game. Junior co-captain Chelsea Kubal and first year Aly McKinnon both smashed a team-high four aces and recorded 10 digs, while sophomore Eleanor Levine posted 6 blocks. Sophomore Emily Avis led the offense efficiently with 20 assists and also tallied 13 digs, while junior Whitney Hitchcock and sophomore Nicole Ballon-Landa both had 3 blocks.

In the second match, the Ephs were able to jump out to leads early and force ties late in both the first and second set but were unable to win either.  While the Ephs won the third set convincingly, it was not enough to capture the come from behind victory against Springfield.

Despite the loss, the Ephs were able to produce some impressive numbers. Sophomore Kate Anderson smashed a team high 14 kills to go along with 5 blocks, while Levine added another 6 blocks to her total for the day. McKinnon and junior Andrea Scioscia led the defense with 11 digs and 7 digs respectively, while Ballon-Landa added 7 kills and 3 blocks. Avis also recorded 33 assists.

The Ephs now look forward two matches tomorrow in the fifth place silver bracket. Day 2 action begins at 10 AM with a match against Wellesley, followed by the Eph's final match at 2 PM against either Bates or Smith.
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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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