Letter: North Adams Going to Pot

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To the Editor:

Well, it looks like the city maybe close to accomplishing another nail in the moral structure of our society by possibly passing marijuana legislation allowing the sale of such an unhealthy product in the city and possible allowing sales to take place on our Main Street.

This writer is amazed that this legislation might pass and has, thus far, drawn little opposition. It is my belief that the sale of this drug is chiefly about money while disregarding the overall effects on the people who will use it for recreational purposes.

Certainly, the use for medical purposes should be allowed but, if those who feel that a more sophisticated group of people will be drawn to the city than they are sorely wrong. Let's face it folks, the city of North Adams appears to "going to pot" and I am not just referring to marijuana.

Stand up for our children and community and, speak out to eliminate any such sales. We already have plenty of problems now and, an additional one which has scientific proof of danger needs to be understood and acted on by concerned citizens. Just say NO!

 

Vincent Melito
North Adams, Mass,

 

 


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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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