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Lanesborough Select Board Sees New Member, Chair

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board welcomed a new member on Monday and elected Deborah Maynard as chair.  

Last week, just under 4 percent of the town's registered voters turned out for the election of a Select Board member, two Finance Committee seats, and more. Jason Breault secured a three-year seat on the board, replacing Timothy Sorrell, who did not stand for election. 

"It's great to have Jason on board. I'm really happy," Maynard said. 

On June 17, 98 of the town's 2,573 registered voters turned out to Town Hall for the election. Breault had 66 votes, and there were 27 write-ins. 

Juli Ann Baker and Vera Yvonne Farrell secured three-year terms on the Finance Committee, and Eleanore Goerlach was elected as a library trustee. 

At the beginning of the Select Board meeting, Chair Michael Murphy indicated that he is "certainly willing and interested in continuing [as chair], but that really is up to the three of us together." Recognizing that Murphy's term expires in 2026, Maynard indicated her interest in becoming chair, and said, "in case this is your last year and you don't go on to another one, I would like somebody here to help me out in case I mess up." 

Maynard was elected chair 2-1 with Murphy voting in opposition.



"My first thought is, I didn't even take the chair out until I completed three years of my first term, and I think that's important to complete a full term before you take another responsibility on," he said. 

Maynard was elected last year, filling the seat left vacant by longtime board member John Goerlach.

in other business, Town Administrator Gina Dario said a review expiring commission and board terms are done at the end of the fiscal year and individuals holding those positions are contacted to see if they are interested in being reappointed. 

There are vacancies in the Board of Health, Tree and Forest Committee, and the Board of Assessors, and there could be other vacancies if people decide not to be reappointed. 

"So if people are interested at any point in understanding more about any particular committees, I really encourage them to reach out to me in the first instance, or go directly to that committee chair," Dario said. 

"We will keep the list of vacancies updated on the committee's web page, on the town website. We've done a really good job in trying to give that visibility."

Maynard said some young people have expressed interest in getting involved in town government. She urged newcomers to town and longtime residents to get engaged. 

"Come on and see what our town is all about," she said. "Get involved." 
 


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Pittsfield School Committee Requests Redacted PHS Report

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee and City Council have requested a redacted report of the Pittsfield High School investigation that concluded last spring. 

On Wednesday, the committee approved member Ciara Batory's request to release the PHS investigative report with proper redactions by Feb. 18.  The previous day, City Council members made the same request, but left the deadline up to the School Committee. 

Five past and present PHS staff members were investigated for alleged misconduct, and allegations were found to be "unsupported," according to executive summaries released by the former committee. 

"The fact that the City Council has urged transparency here speaks volumes. When another elected body looks at a situation and says the public deserves answers, we should listen because trust isn't built by asking people to take our word for it," Batory said. 

"Trust is built by showing our work. Honesty will always shine, and secrecy will always create doubt." 

It was noted that the report will be heavily redacted and might provide less information than the summaries. The School Committee will review the document before it reaches the public. 

"In preparation for the meeting, I have been told by legal counsel that what will be released as a redacted version will have less information than what was in the summary report," Mayor Peter Marchetti, chair of the committee, said. 

"That's what I can share." 

Batory asserted that the district cannot move forward by asking families to trust major changes in the district, such as the middle school restructuring, "while holding information they paid for, information that directly impacts their confidence in the system that serves their children." 

"Let me be clear. I'm not asking us to be reckless," she said. "I’m asking for a redacted release, a legal release so we protect students' privacy while giving the community the truth they deserve." 

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