LENOX — A series of unfortunate events has prevented the School Committee from hiring a full-time superintendent, with the committee opting to suspend their search until next fall. The Lenox School Committee unanimously voted to put the hiring process on pause amid the unforseen circumstances of schools being closed due to the threat of coronavirus […]
EGREMONT — Peak turtle crossing season may not be for a few more months in the Berkshires, but that isn’t slowing local conservation efforts at Mill Pond in Egremont. In fact, the discovery and recognition of an endangered species of turtle at Mill Pond, locally known as Smiley’s Pond, could expedite the fix of a […]
WEST STOCKBRIDGE — A chicken and cattle farm could soon add the cultivation of cannabis to its arsenal of agriculture. Jon Piasecki, owner of Wise Acre Farm in West Stockbridge, has been granted a special permit by the town’s Planning Board for the use of a 4,200 square-foot outdoor marijuana grow operation. Piasecki’s farm, located […]
GREAT BARRINGTON — Concurrent House and Senate legislation has laid down a parallel track toward connecting the Berkshires and Grand Central Terminal with passenger rail. After nearly a half-century break from providing passenger service, the Housatonic Railway could soon serve as a passenger line from Pittsfield to New York City, with potential stops in Lenox, […]
A new state law will go into effect next week that is intended to crack down on instances of distracted driving. Starting Sunday, Feb. 23, the new hands-free driving law prohibits drivers from using any electronic device, including cell phones, unless the device is used in hands-free mode. Drivers who are caught holding their cell […]
BECKET — Chris Swindlehurst says his next car most likely won’t run on gasoline. Instead, the Becket Select Board member will take advantage of Berkshire County’s first municipally-owned electric charging stations. The two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been installed as part of a collaboration with Springfield-based Eversource Energy and the town. James Cater, […]
OTIS — Keeping the streets of this town safe and secure are the combined efforts of the town’s police and highway departments. But keeping both departments fully staffed and competitively compensated throughout a busy winter season has proven to be more of a challenge for the Select Board and the respective department heads. At the […]
LENOX — Tenth- and eleventh-grade classes at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School received a lesson in government and current events with a timely visit from U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Massachusetts. On the morning of Friday, Jan. 17, Neal walked into three classrooms and delivered remarks on his strong value on education and the ongoing […]
MILL RIVER — In what was planned to be a closed-door meeting, a performance review for the town’s treasurer resulted in the employee of nearly four years to be placed on a 90-day probationary period, for the second consecutive time. Given the options to either end or continue the current probationary period, or possible termination, […]
SHEFFIELD — With a score of vacancies on several of the town’s appointed municipal boards, there may be no better time than the present for residents to get involved in local government. The need for volunteer members on specific municipal boards has reached a point, Town Administrator Rhonda LaBombard says, where handling certain town business […]