New Hampshire Man Killed by Tree Falling on Truck in Lenox

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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LENOX, Mass. — A New Hampshire man was killed during a severe thunderstorm on Tuesday when a tree fell on his truck.

Police Sgt. Michael Smith and Officer Tyler Bosworth were dispatched at a about 5:20 p.m. to a report of a tree on a vehicle in the area of Fox Hollow Road, south of Old Stockbridge Road on Route 7.

Police reported that a 2020 Ford F-150 pickup truck has been traveling in the southbound lane when a "very large" tree fell into the travel lane and landed on the vehicle.

The operator, 56-year-old Darrin Cawthron of Derry, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the only occupant in the truck.


There were no reported witnesses to the accident and no other vehicles were involved. Route 7 was closed for about five hours from the intersection of Summer Street in Lee to the intersection of Kemble and Plunkett Street in Lenox.

Several first responders assisted the Police Department including the Fire Department, Lee Police Department, the Stockbridge Police and Fire Departments, and Lee Ambulance.

The State Police Divisions of Investigative Services and Collison Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the Department of Transportation also provided assistance.
 
The accident remains under investigation but police say it appears that the cause of the crash was weather related.

At least 15 roads in the town had reported trees and wires down due to high winds from thunderstorms that broke across much of Southern Berkshire on Wednesday afternoon.


Tags: bad weather,   fatal,   MVI,   

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Pittsfield Rent Board OKs $30 Rent Increase for Lake Onota Village

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Lake Onota Village owner Richard Baldwin answers a question for resident Amy Booth.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Rent Control Board last week approved a $30 per month rent increase for Lake Onota Village following a public hearing that spanned two meetings. 
 
A number of residents from the mobile home park attended the meeting expressing their disapproval of owner M.H. Communities request for a hefty rent hike citing issues with the lots maintenance.
 
The owner's application to the board requested a 63 percent rent hike, or more than $200 per month, spread out over three years, but before the first meeting, it was revised to 29 percent, or $153 per month. 
 
After the first Rent Control Board meeting in March, co-owner Richard Baldwin said the company worked to "shave" its operating expenses down.
 
During the board's meeting on Wednesday, the owners again revised its request, dropping it to a $33 per month rent increase year-over-year over three years. 
 
The board approved a $30 increase.
 
M.H. Communities reviewed its operating expenses and removed revenue and some nonrecurring expenses, such as advertising, Baldwin said. 
 
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