image description

Lanesborough Select Board Sees New Member, Chair

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

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." 
 


Tags: appointments,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Panel Supports Councilors' Privacy, Lake Management Commission

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Councilors believe they have the right to keep their home address off work documents

Last week, the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee voted to remove city councilors' addresses from public documents and create a Lake Management Commission for Pittsfield's waterbodies. 

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant, Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody, Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, and Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham submitted a request to remove councilors' addresses from city documents and websites and replace them with 70 Allen St., or City Hall, to improve safety. 

"As we know, especially over the weekend, there's just increasing violence in America at every level, from the president right on down. Governors, judges, mayors, city councilors," Conant said. 

"I feel that we can increase our security by stopping using our home addresses on city-issued websites and paperwork." 

City Solicitor Jeffrey Grandchamp pointed out that this will not prevent the city officials' addresses from becoming public, as their addresses are listed elsewhere as residents. 

Conant proposed to make it optional. 

Councilors couldn't find anything in the city code that requires them to use home addresses. Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey pointed out that when you run for office, the City Clerk verifies your address and residency. 

"Looking at what other communities do, it does, again, look like we're kind of in the minority in terms of how much information we're putting out to the public," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi observed. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories