Arthur Alpert, left, Michael Case and Bonny DiTomasso were thanked by Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis and Chair Richard Peters for their service on the Central Berkshire Regional School Committee. The three are not running for re-election.
DALTON, Mass. — Last Thursday's Central Berkshire School Committee meeting marked the end of term for three members, who have decided not to run for their seats again.
The committee said goodbye to Vice Chair Bonny DiTomasso and members Art Alpert and Michael Case.
These members have given their time and passion to improve the district, committee Chair Richard Peters said.
"Their support has been invaluable to the families and students at Central Berkshire [by] making sure we have the right resources and their input around their knowledge about teaching and learning and social, social and emotional learning," Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said.
They will also decide how to fill eight School Committee seats, six of which will require write-in votes.
Dalton has three open committee seats, while Becket, Hinsdale, and Washington each have one. Since no candidates are running for these positions, they will need to be filled through write-in votes.
The Peru and Windsor seats also have vacancies. Peru's Planning Board member Kimberly Wetherell is running for the Peru School Committee seat, and School Committee member Elizabeth Lounsbury is running for re-election in Windsor.
DiTomasso, Alpert, and Case were presented each with a floral arrangement.
DiTomasso has been on the committee for 8 1/2 years, Alpert for six years, and Case for almost 13 years.
Case said he learned a lot about small-town politics, how to work with others, and gained an appreciation of community during his tenure.
A highlight of DiTomasso's time on the committee was getting Wahconah Regional High School built $2 million under budget during a pandemic.
Alpert said school boards often get a bad reputation, but this school committee has worked together for the betterment of the school community, the children, and the staff.
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State Wins $130M to Advance West-East Rail
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Some $130 million in federal monies is being invested into passenger rail along the so-called Knowledge Corridor and for laying the groundwork to establish West-East Rail from Albany, N.Y., to Boston.
The funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project was announced on Friday by Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern.
The project is part of the state's Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Years 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station.
"This is a major win for Western Massachusetts and a big step forward for West-East Rail," said Healey in a statement. "This $130 million investment in Springfield will help us improve transportation, reduce congestion and connect more communities to jobs, housing and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Congressmen Neal and McGovern, and all of our partners for helping us secure this critical funding and move us closer to expanded passenger rail service across Massachusetts."
The project will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service. This work is expected to improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs.
"Building West-East rail is a once-in a-lifetime investment to connect Massachusetts' communities and our regional economies like never before. It will mean lower costs, less congestion, and access to opportunity for families across the state," said Markey. "I'm proud to have secured this $130 million in federal funding alongside Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern, bringing our total federal investment to more than $280 million to date, which will build the track to this more affordable, cleaner, better connected future."
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