Clarksburg Approves Debt Exclusion for School Roof

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Update: The debt exclusion vote passed 200-50 on Wednesday. Turnout was about 20 percent and Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau described the balloting as going smoothly with "a steady flow" of voters through the afternoon and evening. 
 
The vote means that the $500,000 borrowing to fix the elementary school roof passed at town meeting last month will not be calculated as part of the town's Proposition 2 1/2 levy capacity, but as a separate charge. 
 
Originally posted June 24, 2025, at 12:57 p.m.: CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Voters will decide whether to exclude a half-million dollar borrowing for the school roof from Proposition 2 1/2. 
 
The vote on Wednesday, from noon to 7 at the Community Center, follows the approval of the borrowing at town meeting on May 29. 
 
Town meeting authorized the borrowing of $500,000 and also approved the use $113,371 from the school roof stabilization fund. The bid from D.J. Wooliver & Sons was $399,000, but town officials secured up to $613,000 to cover any unexpected expenses. 
 
The school roof has been a concern for years, ever since a new school project was defeated in 2017. A $500,000 earmark for the roof by former state Sen. Adam Hinds was nixed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority because the school is not up to educational building standards.
 
The issue became more critical earlier this year when the roof began leaking and buckets appeared in the classrooms. Town and school officials had broached the possibility of another school project, but the urgency of the roof's condition prompted the decision to borrow. 
 
A yes vote on Wednesday means repayment of the borrowing will not be calculated as part of the Prop 2 1/2 levy limit. The five-year borrowing is expected to add $200 to the average property bill, declining each year starting in fiscal 2027. 
 
This vote is similar to the debt exclusion vote held in 2019 for a five-year borrowing of $1 million for road and school repairs. 
 
The roof will be replaced this summer while school is out. It's expected to take about two weeks. 

Tags: Clarksburg School,   debt exclusion,   roof,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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