Bird Observatory Director Speaking at Pittsfield Green Drinks

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The director of Berkshire Bird Observatory, Ben Nickley, will speak at the September Pittsfield Green Drinks hybrid event on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m.

Nickley will discuss BBO's current research projects and will also show some of the many pictures of birds in hands captured this year and relate stories from BBO’s pilot spring, summer, and fall seasons at Jug End State Reservation. The in-person Pittsfield Green Drinks will start at 5 p.m. at Berkshire Environmental Action Team's Environmental Leadership & Education Center, 20 Chapel St.

Nickley is a researcher with a passion for birds and the natural landscapes that they are an integral part of. Over the past several years, Ben has traveled across North America to conduct field studies in many exceptional places and attended college and grad school along the way.

Nickley hopes to garner continued support from the Berkshire community to ensure the longevity of BBO as a social, scientific, and conservation institution.

Thanks to a donation, BEAT will offer one meal to each in-person attendee. If you plan to join the in-person event, stay for the presentation, and would like to reserve a free meal, you must RSVP at www.tinyurl.com/Sept22-Green-Drinks. If you plan to attend the virtual event, you must register at www.tinyurl.com/Zoom-Sept22-Green-Drinks.

Pittsfield Green Drinks is an informal gathering on the third Tuesday of the month. These nights are free and open to everyone with any environmental interest. The drinks aren't green but the conversations are. 

Pittsfield Green Drinks is sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team

For more information, contact Chelsey Simmons at chelsey@thebeatnews.org or  (413) 464-9402.


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Lanesborough ZBA Member Mark Siegars Resigns

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Heated Zoning Board of Appeals meetings, which have already led to two lawsuits against the town, have now resulted in the resignation of a board member.

The board's former chair, Mark Siegars, resigned from his position on Monday, after being removed as chair by the Select Board for his conduct a month prior, The Berkshire Eagle reported. 

iBerkshires has reached out to the town administrator for confirmation. 

Emotions have run high following contentious ZBA meetings held over the past several months, culminating in both businesses involved filing lawsuits against the town. More information here.
 
The rift started to develop in January during a meeting to determine whether the Lanesborough Local Country Store's sign on its vintage pickup truck violated town bylaws. The board ultimately voted to uphold the building inspector's citation.
 
The meeting resulted in two complaints to the town, following the nearly 40-minute discussion that had short bursts of yelling in between. 
 
The meeting was not recorded by the board or by LCATV and the town requested iBerkshires share its recording to provide the Select Board additional context surrounding the few complaints. 
 
It is not iBerkshires.com's policy to share unpublished recordings or meeting notes. However, iBerkshires.com did write an article outlining the argument.
 
According to The Eagle, all Zoning Board of Appeals meetings will now be recorded to ensure transparency. 
 
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