By Cory Willey, Christopher McDermott & Joel Williams Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito paid a visit to several South County towns on Tuesday to discuss a number of topics, including broadband, infrastructure, education and emergency services. In Egremont, Polito was accompanied by state Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield. Broadband was the dominant topic of Polito’s 45-minute visit. […]
By Christopher McDermott GREAT BARRINGTON— The select board has made its final amendments to the marijuana regulations that will go before the town meeting for vote in two weeks. The biggest change, and the one that has been most contentious, is the select board’s position that marijuana cultivation facilities should always need a special permit […]
By Christopher McDermott GREAT BARRINGTON— On the nineteenth anniversary of a the Columbine High School massacre, students from Bard College at Simon’s Rock marched down Great Barrington’s Main Street to express their fears, frustrations and aspirations about the gun violence in schools that stretches back as far as any of these young people can remember. […]
By Christopher McDermott GREAT BARRINGTON — Unless they they can get more than is currently on the table in state budget talks, the Berkshire Regional Transportation Authority will be weighing increased fares and reduced services. At a public meeting at the Great Barrington Fire Department on April 11, BRTA Administrator Robert Malnati explained the possible […]
By Cory Willey MILL RIVER— Anyone hoping to open a marijuana facility in town is going to have to wait. On April 13, the overwhelming majority of 198 residents voted in favor of enacting a moratorium on all applications for marijuana establishments in town through at least Dec. 31, 2018. Through an amendment made on […]
By Joel Williams ASHLEY FALLS — A large solar development at 272 Clayton Road to be carried out by Park Avenue Solar Solutions has been given by the all-clear by the Planning Board. The third meeting for a special permit for Park Avenue Solar proved to be the charm when the Planning Board voted unanimously […]
By Joel Williams LENOX — With newfound uncertainty, the Planning Board has withdrawn a warrant article to regulate short term rentals. The decision came just 24 hours before the select board was set to approve and finalize the warrant article, and just a day after town counsel warned of the issue of “grandfathering,” which would […]
By Christopher McDermott GREAT BARRINGTON — With a budget that town leadership has called “a squeeze,” townspeople voiced competing concerns about tax hikes and service cuts as the select board and Finance Committee gave their recommendations at the annual public budget hearing on April 4. “We’re squeezing a little because we have to,” Select Chairman […]
By Christopher McDermott GREAT BARRINGTON— The select board gave final necessary approvals to the town meeting warrant’s nonfinancial items, but the members are still hoping to amend some proposed marijuana cultivation bylaws on the town meeting floor. The select board and the town’s Planning Board are in disagreement about what the rules on marijuana growing […]
By Christopher McDermott GREAT BARRINGTON— W.E.B. Du Bois’s 150th birthday and an accompanying festival has passed, but a committee focusing on his legacy hopes to have a statue, school or street in the civil rights icon’s hometown bear his name. The Du Bois legacy committee, co-chaired by Gwendolyn Hampton-VanSant of BRIDGE and Randy Weinstein of […]