Cheshire Firefighters Rescue Ice Fisher from Reservoir

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CHESHIRE, Mass. — Cheshire firefighters rescued a fisherman who had broken through the Cheshire Reservoir ice early Saturday afternoon. 
 
According to reports, firefighters were dispatched around noon on Saturday, Feb 24 after receiving a 911 call from the man's fishing partner.
 
Upon arrival, firefighters found the man clinging to the remaining ice surrounding him. Firefighters put on cold water rescue suits and using ropes, brought the fisherman to safety.
 
Cheshire firefighters took to social media to warn residents to stay off the ice as it is not stable.
 
MassWildlife warns that ice can never be judged by appearance or thickness alone.
 
  • New ice is stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly formed ice may support one person on foot. One foot or more of old, partially thawed ice may not.
  • Ice doesn't freeze uniformly. Continue to check ice conditions frequently as you venture out onto the ice.
  • Avoid traveling onto ice-bound rivers and streams. Currents make ice thickness unpredictable. Many lakes and ponds contain spring holes and other areas of currents that can create deceptively dangerous thin spots.
  • If ice is 2 inches or less stay off.
 
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Hoosac Valley School Committee Defends Budget

By Daniel MatziBerkshires correspondent
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Hoosac Valley School Committee reaffirmed their support of the Hoosac Valley Regional School District (HVRSD) proposed $23 million budget.
 
On Monday night the school committee and school leaders defended the proposed school district budget that the Cheshire Select Board opposed at one of their own meetings in April. Dean backed the budget, which increased by $1,096,525 over this fiscal year, as being as fiscally responsible as possible.
 
"We're doing a lot of great work here, a lot of work that I'm proud of," Superintendent Aaron Dean said. "And I cannot in good conscience recommend doing anything other than moving forward with this budget."
 
During an April select board meeting, the Cheshire selectmen announced that they were hesitant to adjust their proposed municipal budget that included a level-funded HVRSD assessment. 
 
The school district's proposed budget included a $148,661 increase to Cheshire's assessment.
 
The Cheshire selectmen voted to plan for a Proposition 2.5 override. If the HVRSD budget isn't lowered to their liking, the town will be poised for an override vote - essentially putting the school budget increase to a ballot vote. 
 
Monday, Dean said he was confused why Cheshire took such a strong stance against the budget, especially after it had been openly discussed as far back as January.
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