Clarksburg Master Plan Community Meeting

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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town of Clarksburg is hosting a community conversation on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Community Center to discuss the results of the recent master plan survey and gather additional feedback on the town's future.

Clarksburg is developing its first Master Plan since 1965. The plan serves as a basis for policy decisions for the next 15-20 years. The forum provides another opportunity for residents to share their vision and ideas about the town's long-term priorities.

"This is a great opportunity for residents to share their ideas and desires for the community and build consensus about the town's future.  I encourage all residents to attend these forums and provide comments to ensure this truly is the community's plan," Town Administrator Ron Boucher said.

A total of 124 residents responded to the survey between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 asking the reasons they choose to live in Clarksburg, what they want to see in the future, and where the town should prioritize future investments. The survey addressed the topics of education, open space and recreation, economic development, housing, historic resources, land use, transportation, agriculture, and town services.

The survey, public forums, and stakeholder interviews inform the committee's development of long-term goals and actionable steps for town officials and stakeholders to enact the community's vision.

The Feb. 5 forum is the second of three community conversations regarding the development of the plan. The town will also accept written comments later in the spring, when the plan will be posted for public comment on the Town's website.

For more information contact Town Administrator Ron Boucher at townadministrator@clarksburgma.org and/or Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Community Planner Andrew McKeever at amckeever@berkshireplanning.org


Tags: BRPC,   master plan,   

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Pittsfield Schools Officials See FY27 Budget for 13 Schools

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Right after the School Committee voted to close Morningside Community School, members saw how it will affect the fiscal year 2027 budget

The $87,200,061 budget for FY27 remains, but funds that would have gone to Morningside are following students to four other schools. 

"As we look at the high-level totals, you notice that the total budget amount is the same. We only have so many dollars to work with. Even though that doesn't change, the composition of spending changes," Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance Bonnie Howland explained. 

Mayor Peter Marchetti, chair of the School Committee, said this year's budget process was "extremely confusing," because of coming changes within the Pittsfield Public Schools, including the middle school restructuring. 

The proposed FY27 budget for the School Department includes $68,886,061 in state Chapter 70 funding and $18 million from the city.  A 13-school plan, excluding Morningside, saves in instruction, school services, and operations and maintenance, allowing those funds to be reinvested across the district. 

Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee released a budget that brings an additional $858,660 to PPS. This includes a rate of $160 per pupil minimum school aid, and Fair Share Amendment earmarks secured by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and state Sen. Paul Mark. 

Morningside's pupils will be reassigned to Allendale, Capeless, Egremont, and Williams elementary schools.  For fiscal year 2027, the district had allocated about $5.2 million for Morningside.

Officials identified school's lack of classroom walls as the most significant obstacle, creating a difficult and noisy learning environment that is reflected in its accountability score.

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