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 Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday. 

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection. 

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data.  Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost." 

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories