Berkshire Money Managemen Adviser Gains Designations

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DALTON, Mass. — Zack Marcotte, a financial adviser on the Berkshire Money Management team, has been awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation as well as the Accredited Wealth Management Advisor designation. 

The AIF designation signifies specialized knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and the ability to implement policies and procedures that meet a defined standard of care. It is the culmination of a rigorous training program. On an ongoing basis, completion of continuing education and adherence to the Code of Ethics and Conduct Standards are required to maintain the AIF designation. 

The AWMA designation requires completing a course of study encompassing wealth strategies, equity-based compensation plans, tax reduction alternatives, and asset protection alternatives and culminates with a complex exam that encompasses "real life" situations. Designees must renew their designation every two years by completing 16 hours of continuing education.

"The financial world isn't getting any easier for families to navigate," Berkshire Money Management founder and CEO Allen Harris said. "Once upon a time, financial advisors just picked investments and called you once per quarter. People like Zack know that’s old school. Today we find that investors, especially those with more assets, need a suite of services."

A native of the Berkshires,Marcotte began working at BMM while he was still in high school. Over the next decade, he was an integral part of building the firm (literally) from the ground up. He attended MCLA while still working with the seasoned team at BMM and earned his bachelor of business administration. He now serves as a financial adviser specializing in retirement planning.

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

Berkshire Towns Can Tap State Seasonal Communities Resources

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures. 
 
Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).
 
"Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts' cultural and economic fabric, but they're also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round," said
Governor Healey. "That's why we're committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I'm thrilled that we're offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season." 
 
The Affordable Homes Act identified several communities to automatically receive the designation, including:   
  • All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;   
  • All municipalities with over 35 percent seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and   
  • All municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in Berkshire County.  
 
To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes. 
 
In Berkshire County, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown were designated.  
 
As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven't accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration. 
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