Lanesborough Employee Charged in N.Y. Embezzlement

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — In late June, the town's administrative assistant was arrested for allegedly embezzling more than $325,000 from a New York business. 

“On June 30, 2025, New York State Police in Schodack arrested Corrine R. Bradley, 49 of Averill Park, N.Y., for grand larceny in the second degree, possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and falsifying business records in the first degree,” a July 9 press release from the New York State Police reads. 

Bradley was appointed to the position at the April 28 Select Board meeting.  She was described as a “more than qualified candidate” to replace the previous administrative assistant, Beth Carroll. 

Town Administrator Gina Dario on Friday said the town has become aware of the charges and is engaging with legal counsel.

State troopers said a privately owned business in Rensselaer County, N.Y., had reported that a former employee stole “a large sum of money” from the company. 

Bradley reportedly managed the finances for the business, and she is alleged to have overpaid herself and forged signatures over a period of three years, resulting in the theft of more than $325,000,” State Police wrote. 



She is also accused of forging the business owners' signatures on legal paperwork without the victims' permission or authorization.

She was arrested at her home in late June, later arraigned at the Sand Lake Town Court, and released on her own recognizance.

The administrative assistant preserves the minutes at all Select Board meetings and other meetings if necessary, and prepares and issues licenses that have been approved by the Select Board and appropriate agencies and accepts and records fees for licenses issued by the Select Board, building inspector and related inspectors, the town website reads. 

Additionally, The administrative assistant supports the town administrator, Select Board, and town boards and committees and is charged with the preparation of the annual town report.” 
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Pittsfield Proposes 2.64 Tax Rate Hike

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2027 is less than 40 cents per $1,000 valuation for residential properties and would increase the average property tax bill by about $146 per year. 

On Tuesday's City Council meeting agenda is a request from the mayor and Board of Assessors to use a residential factor of .8245 at a shift of 1.75, resulting in a residential tax rate of $17.88 and a commercial, industrial, and personal property tax rate of $37.95.

These matters are typically referred to the Committee of the Whole for deliberation. The proposed rates for residential and commercial are 38 cents and $1.05 more, respectively, from FY26. 

The average residential home, valued at $316,792 in FY27, has increased by about $1,500 from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $5,664.24 in yearly taxes.

This is a 2.64 percent, or $145.88, increase. 

The average commercial property worth $239,600 saw a $100 increase in value from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $9,092.82 in yearly taxes. This is a $255.27, or 2.89 percent, increase from the previous fiscal year. 

The FY27 tax levy of $124,468,317 is a $5.3 million increase from the previous year, or 4.45 percent. There is about  $388,000 in excess levy capacity, $2.3 million in new growth, and the levy limit is $124,856,412. 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 11 single-family homes were added to Pittsfield's housing stock this fiscal year, increasing the city's total assessed value by $19,987,600 to $3,592,737,600. 

The city lost five two-family homes in 2027, and that housing type decreased by $3.2 million in assessed value, now worth $384,620,400. 

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