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Lanesborough Winterfest Returns, Work Planned for Route 7

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town's winter festival will return, and the state plans to repave more than half mile of Route 7. 

Town Administrator Gina Dario delivered several town updates during Monday's Select Board meeting. The second annual Winter Fun Fest hosted by the Community Development Committee is on Sunday, Feb. 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at The Venue at Skyline. 

There will be food, kids' activities, a coffee and hot cocoa bar, a cash bar, and music by Lance Entertainment. The Community Development Committee launched the winter festival last year as a way to get people together the snow season. It is a smaller version of Lanesborough Day, which is held in warm weather. 

"We'd love volunteers," Dario said. 

Residents are asked to email Lanesboroughday@gmail.com with any questions or to volunteer. 

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has advised Lanesborough that a complete resurfacing of the road and sidewalk along 0.682 miles of Route 7 is proposed.  


The project extends from Town Hall north to Bill Laston Memorial Field, and work includes roadway resurfacing, new sidewalks, new guardrails, pavement markings, upgraded utilities and drainage, resurfaced driveway aprons, and erosion control measures. 

There is also movement on the town's effort to craft a new open space and recreation plan. 

The Open Space and Recreation Plan Advisory Committee is working with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission on the town's new plan. Hundreds of people responded to the committee's survey on local priorities, and a community conversation will be held at Town Hall on Jan. 27, where the committee will also discuss next steps. 

"They wanted to thank the community and everyone who responded to the survey. They got about 300 responses, which is a fantastic turnout, especially given other surveys that we've had," Dario said. 

Additionally, all-ages technology training classes will be offered on Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall. Dario explained that this is part of a grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, and the time has been adjusted to capture people who may work during the day. 

In other news, the Select Board voted to have joint meetings with the Finance Committee to review the upcoming budget and meet with department heads. Chair Deborah Maynard explained that this would allow department heads to present their budget to both entities simultaneously over two meetings on March 2 and March 16. 

"One of the agreements, as I understand, was that they would allow some of the standard agenda items for the Select Board and Finance Committee on that joint meeting so that we wouldn't duplicate unless absolutely needed," Dario explained. 


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Pittsfield Ice Rink Now Open

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The long-awaited ice skating rink is finally open for free public skating. 
 
Although late in the season, the rink will be open with posted hours from dawn to dusk, but may be closed at times for maintenance of the ice. 
 
Since the rink is equipped with lighting, the city has no objections to night skating; however, skaters are urged to remain mindful of safety, said James McGrath, park, open space and natural resource program manager.
 
It was previously reported that the city received a grant to offer skate rentals. However, because of the shortened season, this initiative has been postponed to future years.
 
The outdoor 50-by-100-foot refrigerated rink will be able to stay open until the ambient temperature rises above 45 degrees, McGrath said. 
 
This is currently projected to be the third week in March but could be sooner based on the weather conditions, he said. 
 
During the development of this initiative, many event ideas were tossed around however those will also have to wait until future seasons because of the shortened season. 
 
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