Election 2009: Bianchi hosts Coffee & Conversation at Rose Manor

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Dan Bianchi will be hosting a "Coffee & Conversation" meet and greet at the Rose Manor Community Room on Friday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m.

This meet and greet with Bianchi, currently a city councilor, will provide residents of Rose Manor as well as all members of the Pittsfield community the chance to come and hear his message and have the chance to ask questions. This informal session will provide community members with the opportunity to share their ideas and concerns with Bianchi.

This is the fourth in a series of coffees planned throughout the community in order to introduce Bianchi and gain public input about many of the issues affecting the city of Pittsfield.

Coffee and refreshments will be provided. All members of the community are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the Bianchi campaign site at www.votebianchi.com or call the campaign office at 413-442-2555.

This event is sponsored by The Committee to Elect Dan Bianchi.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Redevelopment Authority Seeks to Attract Veterinarian

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Redevelopment Authority is looking at revamping zoning to make it easier for a veterinarian to open an office. 
 
This was prompted by resident Kevin Herkelman, an animal nutritionist who worked with veterinarians before retiring and moving to the area about a year ago.
 
He and his wife have many animals and found that area vet offices weren't accepting new patients or were booked out for a long time.
 
"When we moved here, we were looking for a vet. We have five dogs and a cat. I used to show dogs and things like that. When we tried to find a vet, we had a hard time even finding people taking new clients. So we ended up going over to Northampton. That's where we still are," he told a recent meeting of the authority.
 
He said it's more difficult to have to travel far, and even if residents have a veterinarian, it's likely in Pittsfield so they have to leave town. 
 
Currently a veterinary office is only allowed in a B1, R1, or I1 zone and must be 100 feet from a boundary.
 
Herkelman and Chair John Boyle have been looking for a suitable location to entice a vet to come to the area but zoning has been an issue as it is very restrictive. 
 
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