Letter: Tom Bernard for Mayor

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To the Editor:

I am writing today to share my support for Tom Bernard for mayor on Nov. 7. I have gotten to know Tom well over the past eight years and have come to respect his knowledge, willingness to listen, thoroughness and thoughtfulness. Tom has a passion for North Adams that starts with his family and extends to the community as a whole.

The role of a mayor has many facets. At times you must be a cheerleader for your community; Tom has that energy. Oftentimes you must be a strict leader with the ability to set standards and willingness to hold people accountable; Tom has that ability.

A good mayor must understand all perspectives, even if you do not always agree, it is imperative to understand all viewpoints; Tom possesses that vision. Our future growth will rely on a leader that is able to navigate challenges, hurdles and even roadblocks; Tom possesses the agility to do that.

Our region will be faced with the need to find new collaborations and even thoughtful consolidations; Tom possesses the relationship building skills to accomplish that. Our next mayor will need to possess a variety of skills, strengths and knowledge. I believe that person is Tom Bernard.

Please consider all the skills and assets Tom Bernard will bring to City Hall and to our community as our next mayor when you vote on Nov. 7.

Glenn Maloney
North Adams, Mass.

 

 

 


Tags: election 2017,   


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Clarksburg Gets 3 Years of Free Cash Certified

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town officials have heaved a sigh of relief with the state's certification of free cash for the first time in more than three years.
 
The town's parade of employees through its financial offices the past few years put it behind on closing out its fiscal years between 2021 and 2023. A new treasurer and two part-time accountants have been working the past year in closing the books and filing with the state.
 
The result is the town will have $571,000 in free cash on hand as it begins budget deliberations. However, town meeting last year voted that any free cash be used to replenish the stabilization account
 
Some $231,000 in stabilization was used last year to reduce the tax rate — draining the account. The town's had minimal reserves for the past nine months.
 
Chairman Robert Norcross said he didn't want residents to think the town was suddenly flush with cash. 
 
"We have to keep in mind that we have no money in the stabilization fund and we now have a free cash, so we have now got to replenish that account," he said. "So it's not like we have this money to spend ... most of it will go into the stabilization fund." 
 
The account's been hit several times over the past few fiscal years in place of free cash, which has normally been used for capital spending, to offset the budget and to refill stabilization. Free cash was last used in fiscal 2020.
 
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