News & Notes: Sleety Day Ahead; N.A. to Set Tax Rate
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The coldest air of the season dropped into the Berkshires Monday morning and, 24 hours ago, temperatures were struggling to make it out of the single numbers.
The lowest temperature we heard about was from an automated weather station in Lenox that reported 2 degrees just before 6 a.m. yesterday. Today will start off cold but the National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., is watching another fast-moving storm that will deposit more light snow along with sleet and freezing rain before changing to all rain.
This may make driving and walking hazardous until the change over to all rain this afternoon
North Adams City Council to Set Tax Rate
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams City Council will meet tonight and take a look at a tax rate recommendation from Mayor John Barrett III along with additional information relative to the levy limit for fiscal 2009.
Also on the agenda tonight is a recommendation to reduce the budget to $34.2 million and two orders, one appropriating $200,000 from the sale of land to balance the 2009 budget and the other to appropriate $665,510 from certified free cash to the Department of Public Safety to balance the this year's budget.
Downing's Idling Bill on Governor's Desk
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On the coldest day of the season so far, the state Senate enacted legislation filed by Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, to prohibit school buses, commercial and personal vehicles from idling on school property.
An Act to Improve School Campus Air Quality complements existing programming administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection and addresses additional concerns including public health and transportation costs. The bill, filed in September 2007 and co-sponsored by 48 legislators, now sits on Gov. Deval Patrick's desk for his signature.
Commissioner Recommends Renewal of BArT's Charter
ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School is likely to have its charter renewed by the state.
In a letter sent home to parents of BArT students, Executive Director Julia Bowen said a state review found that families and students have consistently expressed high levels of satisfaction with the school and tbat the school is financially stable, well managed, well governed and faithful to its mission.
Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester did say that while the school has not met its academic performance goals yet, sufficient efforts are being made to address any current deficiencies. Chester has recommended that his board renew the charter.
