News & Notes: Oil Prices Down; Wendy's Reopens

By Larry KratkaBerkshire News Network
08:53AM / Wednesday, November 19, 2008Print Story | Email Story

Home Heating Oil Update

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Let's take a look at home heating oil prices and it appears that the downward trend for heating oil prices is slowing down.

Oil prices in North Adams range from $2.84 to $2.99 ... down a little from last week. Home heating oil prices in Pittsfield range from $2.89 to $2.97. Dalton has the only heating oil company in the Berkshires still charging above $3 a gallon — $3.05 to be exact. Great Barrington has the lowest home heating oil price in the Berkshires with $2.80 a gallon.

Prices are compiled by NewEnglandOil.com. Check oil prices every day at iBerkshires.com.

Wendy's Restaurant Reopens at Berkshire Crossing

PITTSIFIELD, Mass. — You would think that people had never seen a square hamburger before but apparently, a lot of people wanted to see one for the first time or enjoy a square burger once again.

Lines formed at the reopened Wendy's Restaurant on Hubbard Avenue at Berkshire Crossing in Pittsfield this past weekend and many people waited in line to sample the menu. One employee of an Allendale Shopping Center store told the Berkshire News Network he was anxious to try out the Wendy's menu but the line was too long. He said he’d try again soon.

The Wendy's Restaurant was one of many that suddenly closed last summer when the franchise owner couldn’t meet payroll. The restaurant was eventually taken over by the home company.

Downing Appointed to Relief Commission

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing has been appointed to represent the Senate on the Special Municipal Relief Commission.

The commission examines the feasibility of innovative local revenue-generating measures in an effort to provide revenue relief to municipalities. Senate President Therese Murray said she chose Downing because he understands that every community across Massachusetts is struggling to make ends meet and that she was confident that the Pittsfield Democrat will bring an important voice to the discussion of how cities and towns can find some economic relief.

The commission is made up of 14 members and consists of seven state senators and seven state representatives. Downing represents 48 Western Massachusetts communities — more cities and towns than any other member of the Senate.

Bard College Professor Charged With Weed Operation

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The head of the economics department at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., which operates Simon's Rock college in Great Barrington, has been ordered to appear before a judge in the New York town of Gallatin.

Kristine Feder, 54, was arrested Friday for allegedly growing marijuana at her Gallatin home after state police did a well-being check at her home. A caller reported to the police that she had not seen Feder in several days and one of her pets was roaming around. But when police entered the home on Friday, instead of finding Feder, they say they found 16 marijuana plants ranging in size from 18 inches to 7 feet tall. Feder has been charged with third-degree criminal possession of marijuana and unlawfully growing cannabis.

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Reality sinks in when the head of the economics department at Simon's Rock has to start her own "Victory Garden" in order to save a "dime" or two. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk Editor: She's not at Simon's Rock.
from: Jus Wondering	on: 11-19-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

The cost of home heating oil in Berkshire County is outrageous. The very same web site Larry uses to check our prices also shows prices across New England, and we have, by far, the highest costs in Massachusetts. In Springfield, the cost is close to $2.20 a gallon, and we're still paying nearly $3 a gallon. Time for Larry to stop just reading the news and actually call some of these places and ask why they are charging so much more for oil than any other suppliers in the state.
from: BGT	on: 11-19-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

you hit the nail on the head, bgt. where is the press on this issue? northern berkshires and in particular north adams is one of the poorest areas of the region yet price gouging is the norm around here. from grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations to heating oil dealers prices seem to be higher here than anywhere else. where is the outrage? better yet, where is our fair mayor who likes to beat on the gas stations about price gouging? we have yet to hear a peep out of him on this very crucial issue! why is he not throwing one of his classic tantrums on local oil dealers threatening to involve the attoreny general or feds in an investigation? my suggestion to all those who locked in at $4.59 a gallon; STOP PAYING! pay cash to a new dealer. what are they going to do, sue us all for backing out of an untenable situation? the courts will come down on the side of the consumer as they always do. screw your oil co. before they screw you even more!
from: so true	on: 11-19-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Actually, she isn't the head of economics at Simon's Rock. She's at Bard, which is a separate institution that simply owns Simon's Rock, and is in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. It's kind of misleading to say it has anything to do with Simon's Rock.
from: tim	on: 11-20-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
04:21PM / Monday, June 08, 2026

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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