Toy Library Coming to Pittsfield's Onota Lake

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Wahconah High senior plans to build a toy library at Onota Lake Beach to foster community and benefit kids.

On Tuesday, the Park Commission supported Alexandra Bills' toy library proposal as part of her National Honors Society individual service project.  She hopes to see it come to fruition by April, utilizing donated materials and the help of her father for construction.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she explained. "But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

She proposed that it be located on the right side of the staircase at the public beach.  The student will ask a local company to donate lumber for the project, build it with her father who has carpentry experience, and have friends and family members provide toys to fill it.

"I would be checking on it weekly if not daily in the summer to pick up toys," she added. "But there also will be a sign to have 'pick a toy, leave a toy, please pick up after yourself’ so kids can also learn that as well."

Members of the National Honor Society, which is one of the longest-standing and most recognized co-curricular student organizations in the U.S., must fulfill a community service requirement to participate.

Bills pointed out that there will be no rough edges on the structure and it will be child-height so they can access it.  The library will sit on a sturdy surface such as pavers, be affixed to a structure so that it stays in place, and will be stored during the winter time.

Late last year, a sled library was OKed for Clapp Park and came to fruition soon after.  Lending libraries are said to be popular pieces of pubic infrastructure that benefit the community.

• The commission voted to change its meeting time from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m.
   
• The bid for the restoration of Springside Pond was awarded to William. J. Keller and Sons Construction and work will begin in the late spring or early summer.  Plans include sediment removal, dam repair, an elevated boardwalk, and a paved path for accessibility, and are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
   
• The bid for the Taconic High School track was awarded to Mountain View Landscapes and it will be fully reconstructed this spring.

Dalton Resident Ranks Third in National Snocross Race

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:18PM / Sunday, December 21, 2025

Sal LeBeau on his machine with his sister, Kenna, in the black hat, and friend Brandon and his sister Alea.

DALTON, Mass. — At just 16 years old, Salvatore LaBeau is already making avalanches in the national snocross racing scene.

 

Last weekend, LaBeau raced in the Mount Zion Snocross National race in Ironwood, Mich., the first of eight races in the national circuit series. 

 

Competitions take place across national circuits, attracting racers from various regions and even internationally. 

 

Labeau rides for CT Motorsports, a team based in Upstate New York, on a 2025 Polaris 600R. 

 

This is LaBeau's first time competing on the CT Motorsports team. Years prior, he raced for a team owned by Bruce Gaspardi, owner of South Side Sales and Service in North Adams.  

 

Despite a bad first day on Friday when he fell off his snowmobile and didn't make the final, LaBeau carried on with confidence and on Saturday obtained his first national podium, placing in third for the Sport Lite class. 

 

"I'm feeling good. I'm gonna start training more when I come home, and go to the gym more. And I am really excited, because I'm in 11th right now," the Wahconah High student said.