Crane Fund Donates to Local Oranizations

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DALTON, Mass. — The Crane Fund for Widows and Children has donated funding to 92 organizations around the globe, some in Berkshire County. 
 
Crane Currency associates nominated 36 organization, all of which received funding to bolster their services. 
 
These organizations include Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School, Berkshire County Head Start, Berkshire Workforce Board, South Community Food Pantry, Hinsdale Food Pantry, Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Elder Services of Berkshire County, and more. 
 
The nominations from the associates showcases the collaborative spirit of the Dalton community, a commitment that has helped the organizations become better equipped to fulfill its missions, according to a statement from the fund.
 
"Because of [the fund,] lives are being transformed. [Its] generosity has touched the hearts of the 15,000 people we serve each year — offering hope where there was despair, resources where there was need, and love where there was loneliness. We truly couldn’t do this without [it]," said Katelynn Miner, the founder and executive assistant of the Berkshire Dream Center, as quoted in the press release.
 
The Crane Fund for Widows and Children has long been a pillar of support for the community, providing essential resources to organizations that make a significant impact on the lives of many, the press release states. 
 
The fund is one Crane Currency's, now CraneNXT, three charitable funds. The other two are the Crane Fund, established in 1914, and Crane Foundation, created in 1951. More information here.
 
The Crane Fund for Widows and Children makes contributions to charitable non-profit
organizations that provide direct help to underserved populations in the communities where Crane NXT works or where its associates have a direct connection.
 
Crane NXT has a location in Dalton, which focuses on authentication, security, and detection.
 
Fund officials say it touches the lives of many through its efforts to support issues around food insecurity, affordable housing, education, health, environmental protection, animal welfare, and many other worthy causes.

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Pittsfield's Crosby/Conte Proposal Nearing Designer Selection

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The proposal to rebuild Crosby Elementary School and Conte Community School as a combined facility on West Street is advancing to design.  

On Tuesday, the School Building Needs Commission approved a draft request for services for the Crosby/Conte project and created a designer selection committee to guide the next actions.  The Pittsfield Public Schools are seeking up to 80 percent reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the build. 

Skanska USA Building Inc. was approved as the owner's project manager in early April.  An OPM is a hired consultant who oversees a construction or design project in the owner's interest. 

The next step is to select a designer for the new building; a draft request for services is due to the MSBA by May 14. Applications are due to the district on July 1 and to MSBA by July 9, to be reviewed on July 28. 

"My hope is that we can move the process as quickly as possible, meeting the first deadlines that become available," Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips said. 

The commission appointed seven members to the designer selection committee, including a superintendent's designee, Mayor Peter Marchetti, and co-Chair Frank LaRagione. They will review proposals, about 6-10 are expected, and interview the top three designers. 

School officials in 2024 toured the 69,500-square-foot Silvio O. Conte Community School, which opened in 1974, and the 69,800-square-foot John C. Crosby Elementary School, which opened in 1962. At Conte, they saw an open concept community school that is not conducive to modern-day needs, and at Crosby, they saw a facility that was built as a middle school and in need of significant repair. 

Last month, a statement of interest for repairs to Pittsfield High School was approved. 

Priority areas identified for an SOI to the MSBA Core Program are for the replacement, renovation, or modernization of the heating system to increase energy conservation and decrease energy-related costs, and replacement or addition to obsolete buildings to provide a full range of programs consistent with state and local requirements. 

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