Three Arrested In Great Barrington Drug Investigation

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Great Barrington Police officers made three arrests related to an ongoing narcotics investigation Wednesday, Jan. 27, 
 
Officers conducted two motor vehicle stops in the early afternoon and arrested Aaron Strampach,34 of Great Barrington, and charged him with distribution of a class A drug and trafficking a controlled substance of more than 36 grams. Joshua Brendline, 34 and Sherri Simmons, 29, both of Copake New York, were arrested and charged with Possession of a Class A substance.
 
A large amount of cash and a substance believed to be mostly fentanyl were seized.  Field analysis suggests it is trafficking weight.  All three were booked at the Great Barrington Police Department and released on their personal recognizance. They will be arraigned in Southern Berkshire District Court next week. In addition to the two traffic stops, officers executed a search warrant on a local hotel room and Strambach's vehicle.  
 
Lead Investigating Officer Christopher Peebles was assisted by Officer Andres Huertas and Officer Bradley Lupiani. Additional Officers that assisted in the arrest are Officer Tim Ullrich with K9 Titan, Officer Joe O'Brien and Officer Elias Casey. The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney's Office also provided assistance in the investigation.
 
"I congratulate the officers in their great investigative work. We are happy to get these drugs off of our streets." Chief Storti said.
 
 
 
 
 
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Crosby/Conte Statement of Interest Gets OK From Council

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Architect Carl Franceschi and Superintendent Joseph Curtis address the City Council on Tuesday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With the approval of all necessary bodies, the school district will submit a statement of interest for a combined build on the site of Crosby Elementary School.

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously gave Superintendent Joseph Curtis the green light for the SOI to the Massachusetts School Building Authority by April 12.

"The statement I would make is we should have learned by our mistakes in the past," Mayor Peter Marchetti said.

"Twenty years ago, we could have built a wastewater treatment plant a lot cheaper than we could a couple of years ago and we can wait 10 years and get in line to build a new school or we can start now and, hopefully, when we get into that process and be able to do it cheaper then we can do a decade from now."

The proposal rebuilds Conte Community School and Crosby on the West Street site with shared facilities, as both have outdated campuses, insufficient layouts, and need significant repair. A rough timeline shows a feasibility study in 2026 with design and construction ranging from 2027 to 2028.

Following the SOI, the next step would be a feasibility study to determine the specific needs and parameters of the project, costing about $1.5 million and partially covered by the state. There is a potential for 80 percent reimbursement through the MSBA, who will decide on the project by the end of the year.

Earlier this month, city officials took a tour of both schools — some were shocked at the conditions students are learning in.

Silvio O. Conte Community School, built in 1974, is a 69,500 square foot open-concept facility that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s but the quad classroom layout poses educational and security risks.  John C. Crosby Elementary School, built in 1962, is about 69,800 square feet and was built as a junior high school so several aspects had to be adapted for elementary use.

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