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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.

Write-Ins Needed for CBRSD Committee Vacancies

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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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.  
 
Voters will have many decisions to make during the Nov. 5 elections, including a new president, five ballot questions, and a new state representative for the Third Berkshire District.
 
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. 

Tags: CBRSD,   election 2024,   

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Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 
 
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 
 
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 
 
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center
 
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 
 
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
 
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