Farley-Bouvier Hires New Legislative Aide

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier has hired Lisa Fletcher-Udel as her new legislative aide.

Fletcher-Udel comes to the state representative’s office after having worked in human services for many years. Most recently, she served in a variety of positions at Berkshire Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Prior to Berkshire AHEC, Fletcher-Udel worked in several positions at Elder Services of Berkshire County. For the past year she has been a volunteer at Moments House.

“Lisa graduated from Pittsfield High School and Berkshire Community College, before getting her BA from Fairley Dickson College and returning to work in Pittsfield for many years.”  said Farley-Bouvier.  “Her knowledge of the 3rd Berkshire District, experience in nonprofit management and people skills made her an ideal choice for the position of legislative aide.”

Fletcher-Udel began her position on Dec. 1 Her responsibilities include coordinating the daily activities for Representative Farley-Bouvier, tracking bills through legislature, and receiving constituent requests and maintaining constituent service records.



“I am excited to be working with Representative Farley-Bouvier," she said. "I admire her commitment to the people of the 3rd Berkshire District and her passion for making Pittsfield and the state of Massachusetts a great place to live, work and play.”

Fletcher-Udel replaces Elizabeth Leibinger, who left to take a position at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.  

“Beth built an outstanding reputation for friendly, efficient constituent service.  I heard over and over again from Pittsfield residents how much she helped them,” said Farley-Bouvier.  “She is a bright, capable young woman and I know that she will go far. MCLA is fortunate to have her.”

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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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