Updated Numbers in Greylock School Vote

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The unofficial numbers for the school project debt exclusion vote have ticked up just a tad.  
 
They now stand at 1,450 yes to 1,315 no, a difference of 135 votes. 
 
A handful of provisional ballots are still to be confirmed but not enough to make any difference in the results. 
 
The turnout was 2,766 of the city's 9,872 registered voters, or 28 percent. City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said she was very happy with the numbers, noting the primaries lackluster showing of 12 percent. 
 
Unofficial Results
  YES NO BLANKS TOTAL VOTERS PERCENT
WARD 1 280 336 0 616 2,040 30.20
WARD 2 269 243   513 2,045 25.09
WARD 3 217 187 0 404 1,664 24.28
WARD 4 406 298 0 704 2,107 33.41
WARD 5 278 251 0 529 2,016 26.24
  1,450 1,315 1 2,766 9,872 28.03
The narrow vote hearkens to a similar contentious debate back in 2013 over borrowing for the $30 million Colegrove Park school project. That passed by only 137 votes with 2,645 ballots cast. 
 
This week's vote saw 98 voters coming in to the clerk's office for early voting, compared to 11 in last month's primary. Leonesio said 1,540 ballots were mailed by request with a return of about 69 percent. 
 
There had been questions about signatures and inactive voters. The clerk said some ballots were returned without signatures on the outside envelope, less than one percent, and efforts were made to have these confirmed but some voters did not respond. 
 
Those who did not submit their city census forms so were removed to the "inactive" list in June. They were able to vote Tuesday by confirming their identity at the polls. That table had been quite busy and more staffing is expected for the coming general election. 
 
iBerkshires committed an error in updating on the election by referring to a "recount." This was incorrect and the problem was actually a tape calculator that was acting up, causing the number to be off. Another calculator was put into service and the numbers matched up. iBerkshires regrets the error. 
 
A few "no" voters referenced "irregularities" but Lenoesio said there was nothing out of the ordinary.  
 
The polls were busy and staff were aware of importance of the outcome. 
 
"We were double-checking, triple-checking, ensuring the process was what it needed to be," she said. "The integrity of the election is what matters to us."
 
Voters are encouraged to double-check their registration status online at the secretary of state's website or by contacting the city clerk's office prior to the general election. 
 

Tags: brayton/greylock project,   debt exclusion,   

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Companion Corner: Chino at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There is a sweet and fluffy girl at No Paws Left Behind waiting for her new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.  

Chino, short for cappuccino, was brought to the shelter about a month ago. She is three years old and medium-haired.

Kennel assistant Claire Morin introduced us to her. 

"She came here because they just decided they didn't want a cat anymore. Since she's been here, she's been super friendly and has no issues with anything at all. She's medically up to date, and she is ready to go." 

Chino is quite tame and interested in being held and shows her belly to those around her.

She can go to a home with other animals and with any age.

"Chino's so easygoing; she gets along with everyone. So she's free to go home with children. She's free to go home with pets. She's been around cats and dogs, and she would be very easy to go into any home." 

Chino likes to play with you as well as likes to explore her surroundings and lounge in the cat tree.

"She's so easygoing; she loves this cat tree that we have here. She's very curious, looks all around when we let her out. She loves treats, and there really isn't anything that we can't say that she doesn't like." 

Chino will be a great addition to any family who wants her and will play with her.

"I just think she'd be a perfect addition to any home because she's just so easygoing and so friendly." 

You can visit Chino at No Paws Left Behind.

 
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