Cheshire Mulls Marijuana Consumption Bylaw

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen is considering a bylaw covering the public consumption of cannabis. 

Police Officer Aaron Goodell brought this to the town administrator after receiving an increase of calls about juveniles in possession of marijuana vapes at Hoosac Valley High School.

Chair Shawn McGrath wondered at last week's meeting if they should consider adding an alcohol bylaw or incorporate both substances into one bylaw. 

The board had an initial draft based on Dalton's bylaws regarding public consumption.

The draft mentioned any public consumption of marijuana was prohibited with a penalty of $300 for each offense and the bylaw may be enforced through any lawful means.

The board members had many questions and suggested that they table the discussion until Goodell could attend a meeting to answer their questions.

In other business, the board was informed that the free cash certifications would bring in $677,991 from the general fund, $204,394 from the Water Enterprise Fund, and $32,071 from the Transfer Station Enterprise Fund.

Town Administrator Jennifer Morse also brought up the state Department of Transportation's Municipal Pavement Program. The state is planning to improve Route 116 in Cheshire and Savoy in fiscal 2028. Morse said the town will not be responsible for the project.


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Adams Sets Special Town Meeting

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — Prior to the annual town meeting in June, there were several unknowns when the budget was being developed. Now that those uncertainties have been resolved, the town will hold a special town meeting to update the budget.
 
The special town meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the Memorial Building gymnasium.
 
The Select Board will sign the warrant on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m., the required 14 days before the special town meeting. 
 
In the last year, Adams has had a high turnover in employees because of retirements and staff leaving to pursue other opportunities. This resulted in several vacancies during budget season. 
 
Town Administrator Nicholas Caccamo conservatively budgeted those positions at previous rates, maintaining each staff member's prior step or grade, as if the roles were filled full time, essentially building a "level-funded service budget."
 
The special town meeting will take place before the tax rate is set, allowing the town sufficient time to prepare the tax bills for mailing in early November, with payments due in late November, he told the Select Board last Wednesday. 
 
"During the FY27 budget discussions, we started that process with a number of vacancies and a number of questions with some of our appropriations, particularly around salaries and health insurance. We've since nearly filled all those vacancies," Caccamo said. 
 
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