Mount Greylock to Host Nature-Based Program for Youth

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LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Mount Greylock State Reservation has scheduled a free public interpretive program, the "Discover Greylock Explorer's Club," for Friday, March 20. 
 
The event will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and is based at the park's Visitor Center.
 
The program is designed for children ages 8 and older, including homeschoolers, though younger siblings may attend. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Activities are slated to include map and compass orienteering, tree and animal track identification, and environmental games.
 
Organizers stated the program will be held primarily outdoors, weather permitting. Participants are advised to prepare for variable late-winter conditions by wearing warm layers and waterproof footwear. The use of trekking poles and traction devices or snowshoes is recommended. Attendees should also bring water and food.
 
While the program is free of charge, registration is required. According to park officials, inclement weather will result in the cancellation of the event.
 
For registration or weather updates, the Visitor Center can be reached at (413) 499-4262.
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CBRSD Makes Cuts to Lower Town Assessments

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — School officials say reductions in the Central Berkshire Regional School District's budget will be felt, but remain optimistic that it will not prevent them from being "the best regional district in the state."
 
Throughout the budgeting season, officials said they strived to keep the seven member towns informed amid contractual increases outside their control and concerns with a state aid funding formula described as "remarkably wrong."
 
The initial budget was about a 9 percent increase, but with "strategic reductions" the district was able to cut that down to 2.99 percent, bringing the total budget to $37,740,005. 
 
"This was no small feat," said Paul Farella, district's Finance Committee chair.
 
In earlier budget drafts, towns voiced concerns over significantly higher assessments, which ranged from approximately 7 to 15 percent, compared to prior years, when it was about 2 to 7 percent. 
 
With the revised budget, projected net town assessments are: 
  • Becket for $2,859,205, an increase of 5.49 percent
  • Cummington for $670,246, an increase of 5.11 percent 
  • Dalton for $10,106,445, an increase of 5.86 percent
  • Hinsdale for $3,277,495, an increase of 10.54 percent 
  • Peru for $1,083,751, an increase of 6.11 percent 
  • Washington for $826,774, an increase of 6.64 percent
  • Windsor for $995,438, an increase of 9.37 percent
"[The cuts] will be felt, but we believe that it is what is necessary for the time being to not overburden our towns while still being able to provide a quality education to our community," Farella said. 
 
Delivering high-quality education while responsibly managing public funds in a district, which like many rural areas, faces financial constraints is a duty Superintendent Michael Henault said he takes very seriously.
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