Sheriff Candidate Bosley Accusing DA Office Employee Of Ethics Violations.

Berkshire County Sheriff candidate, Dan Bosley, is accusing an employee in the District Attorney’s office, of violating ethics laws. The Berkshire Eagle is reporting that Bosley’s complaint stems from a Facebook conversation on July 8th and 9th. between Assistant District Attorney Dana Parsons and a campaign worker for Thomas Bowler, Jennifer Breen Kirsch. The story goes that Parsons asked Krisch for some Bowler campaign signs….which were eventually dropped at the front desk of the DA’s office on North Street. The State Ethics Commission has ruled that it is illegal for governmental employees to campaign for a candidate on state property…which includes receiving and distributing campaign material…such as lawn signs. District Attorney David Capeless told the Eagle yesterday that while Parsons apparently did receive those signs at the office, he also stressed that this was an individual promoting a candidate without his knowledge or direction, and not an organized effort by the District Attorney’s office. Donna Mattoon of the Bowler campaign said that this was an innocent mistake. Bosley said he has not decided whether or not he will pursue the matter with the state Ethics Commission.

State Rep. Candidate Warns Of Lost Revenue.

1st Berkshire District State Representative candidate, Gailanne Cariddi, is warning that passage of two statewide ballot questions…..coupled with the loss of federal stimulus funds and a vastly depleted rainy day account….could force massive cuts to local aid and other state programs. In a press release sent to the Berkshire News Network, Carridi said that according to projections by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, cutting the sales tax from 6.25 to 3 percent, will result in an annual loss of $2.4 billion. And if voters repeal the sales tax on alcoholic beverages, we are looking at another $100 million per year in lost revenue. According to Cariddi, two areas in need of budgetary belt-tightening are the Legislature and the Probation Department.

Sunday At Six Begins At 4pm Sunday In Williamstown.

The final “Sundays at Six” festival, will take place in Williamstown…on Sunday, and organizers say it’ll be the best yet. The Sunday festival, which actually begins at 4pm, will again feature plenty of food, entertainment and family fun on Main, Latham, Water, Spring and Walden Streets. Musical entertainment will feature a variety of performers, including local and long-time favorites, The Flat Bed Jazz Band. Activities get going at 4pm and extend through Images Cinema’s Family Flicks Under the Stars. This week’s feature is the family favorite, Annie.

Station 100 In Florida Hosting A 60 Mile Run.

The Florida Volunteer Fire Department wants to raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children and has decided that a 60 mile ride through the Berkshires is just what the doctor ordered. So, Iron Station 100 is hosting a 60-mile poker run tomorrow with registration beginning at 11am behind the Adams Fire Department. Cory Adelt, President of Iron Station 100, said kickstands are up at 1pm and hopes that many bikers will take part. For the ones that do, it’ll cost $20 dollars per bike. But the ride is worth it and all the money will go towards the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Pittsfield Firefighters Called To Fairfield Street Fire.

Details are sketchy but Pittsfield firefighters were called to Fairfield Street after a report of a structure fire came in to headquarters. Broadcast reports said that a caller reported flames coming from the structure. No house number was given and police closed off Fairfield Street at the South Street entrance. Fairfield Street is a dead-end road with single family homes on it. Firefighters were called to Fairfield Street at 4:35am. Additional details were unavailable.

Tuesday’s Richmond Train Track Victim Identified.

State Police have released the name of the man who was truck and killed by a CSX freight train on Tuesday afternoon in Richmond. Police identified the victim as 28-year-old Nicholas Van Alstine of Amesbury Massachusetts. Alstine was killed by the northbound freight in the vicinity of Town Beach Road in Richmond, around 4pm on Tuesday. According to eyewitnesses, it appeared that Van Alstine jumped in front of the moving train, and investigators are treating his death as a suicide. The investigation continues by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office.

Conservation Land Celebration In Sheffield Today

Officials from the Department of Fish and Game are joining with other conservation organizations to celebrate the conservation of more than 485 acres of conservation land in the towns of Egremont, Mount Washington and Sheffield at an event this afternoon in Sheffield. Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Mary Griffith will be joined by representatives of The Nature Conservancy, The Berkshire Natural Resources Council – and the land trusts of both Sheffield and Egremont. The event, which is open to the public, will take place at noon today at 257 Jug End Road in Sheffield.

Becket Taps Interim Administrator

Becket selectmen have voted unanimously to appoint Richard Furlong as interim town administrator until a full-time administrator is hired. He replaces Tony Blair, who the select board chose not to rehire after a six-month probationary period. Ironically Blair replaced Furlong a little more than a year ago. Furlong previously served as town administrator from 1995 to 2009. Selectmen also voted to put together a committee to conduct a search for a new permanent town administrator.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Gateway Heritage State Park May Have A Bright Future

Western Heritage State Park in North Adams, was the sight yesterday of the Massachusetts Mayors Association monthly meeting. Berkshire News Network media partner, IBerkshires.com, reports that Department of Recreation and Conservation Commissioner, Richard Sullivan, gave a talk to the mayors and said his department was working closely with Mayor Richard Alcombright to turn Heritage State Park into a new gateway….a northern gateway to Mt. Greylock. The state's has already invested $23 million into rebuilding the roads to the top of Mt. Greylock and another $900,000 in federal funds is being spent for wayside stations, interpretative kiosks and regular signage. Mayor Richard Alcombright said some of that signage money will be used to direct tourists to Heritage Park and visitors will be encouraged to use Reservoir Road to the park's entrance rather than Notch Road. The Mayor would also like to see a visitors center located at Heritage Park.

Patrick Signs Legislation Renaming State Colleges

Gov. Patrick has signed a bill that changes the designations of the state's nine public colleges to universities. Patrick gave his approval yesterday to the law, which will result in six state colleges changing their actual names. The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, is one of three additional schools now designated as state universities, that have chosen to retain their names to reflect the unique opportunities which are offered to students at those schools. In attendance yesterday were university presidents, students, and State Legislators – including State Representative Smitty Pignatelli of Lenox. The legislation is due to take effect in 90 days.

Train Fatality In Richmond Tuesday May Have Been A Suicide

State police from the District Attorney’s office, who are investigating the death of a man on the train tracks in Richmond Tuesday afternoon, said yesterday that it may be a suicide. The Berkshire County DA’s office said yesterday that an eyewitness told investigators that the man appeared to jump in front of the moving northbound CSX freight train. Officials declined to release the victim’s name until his family could be notified. A spokesman for the DA’s office said yesterday that it was unknown when the notification process might be completed.

Pittsfield Finance Committee Gives Ok To Borrow Money To Launch Taconic High School Planning Process

The Pittsfield Finance Committee met yesterday and approved a proposal by Mayor James Ruberto, to borrow up to $200-thousand dollars that would pay for the planning process of a new Taconic High School on the Valentine Road campus. The vote was unanimous by members of the committee. Any project manager that is hired would also hold community outreach meetings ,seeking citizen input on what type of new high school Pittsfield needs. The entire City Council on August 10, will vote on the loan request, 78 percent of which would be reimbursed to Pittsfield by the state. The reimbursement rate would be the same for constructing a new Taconic, along with an future renovating of Pittsfield High School.

Construct Inc. Receiving Homeless Housing

Construct Inc. in Great Barrington has received some grant money from U.S. Housing and Urban Development. H.U.D. Regional Administrator Richard Walega awarded the organization a nearly $48,000 Homeless Aid Grant. Construct’s share of the grant money is part of nearly $4 million in new grants that will assist 20 homeless assistance programs throughout the state of Massachusetts. Construct President, Marilyn Wightman was on hand to accept the grant award.

Conservation Land Celebration In Sheffield Tomorrow

The public is being invited to celebrate the more than 485 acres of conservation land in the towns of Egremont, Mount Washington and Sheffield at an event tomorrow afternoon in Sheffield. The event will be hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, The Berkshire Natural Resources Council – and the land trusts of Sheffield and Egremont. The public event gets underway at noon tomorrow at 257 Jug End Road in Sheffield.

State Wildlife Officials Seeking Public Input Tonight

The Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board seeking input from the public on its habitat management activities within wildlife management areas. Wildlife management area users and other conservation-minded individuals are all invited to attend and take part in an informational meeting tonight in Lenox. The meeting will include a presentation about the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s wildlife habitat management goals, practices and outcomes – and a question and answer session. The meeting is being held at the Lenox Town Hall on Walker Street at 7pm.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

NA City Council Ok’s Mayor Request To Keep Public Safety Commissioner On The Job

The North Adams City Council unanimously backed Mayor Richard Alcombright’s request for legislative action, to keep Public Safety Commissioner E. John Morocco on the job. Berkshire News Network media partner, IBerkshires.com, reports that the North Adams City Council passed the home-rule petition to the Legislature, to override a city ordinance that appears to put Morocco in the uniformed division, because his responsibilities are described as that of police and fire chief — and puts him in line for mandatory retirement. Moracco’s impending retirement has been long considered by some, a good time to reconfigure the Public Safety Department in search of savings. But Morocco's not ready to retire just yet and Mayor Richard Alcombright agrees. Alcombright said restructuring the department may happen but now was not the time to be doing it.

MCLA Getting University Status

MCLA is getting University status. The North Adams transcript reports that the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will officially be one of nine state universities. MCLA President, Mary Grant, however says that the college won’t be changing its name. The school will remain the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to reflect the unique opportunities which are offered to students at the school – one of three of the nine schools choosing to do the same. Grant says that the move will allow the college to remain competitive at a national level. Gov. Patrick is expected to sign legislation creating a state university system. Once signed, the legislation will take effect in 90 days

Otis Firefighter Dies After Fighting Blaze

The Otis Fire department is mourning 70-year-old David Sullivan. Sullivan passed away only hours after helping to battle a structure fire at a residence in Tolland. The Berkshire Eagle reports that Sullivan died at his home late Saturday night a short while after he helped his fellow firefighters from across the region extinguish the blaze. He’s is believed to have suffered a heart attack. Otis Fire Chief, Gordon Pinkham said that Sullivan joined firefighters from Tolland, Sandisfield, Blanford, Granville and Norfolk, Ct. According to the report in the Eagle, Sullivan was found dead the following morning. Sullivan’s colleagues had nothing but good things to say about him. He was well liked and he will be missed.

Unidentified Man Killed While Walking RR Tracks In Richmond

An unidentified man was killed by a northbound CSX freight train in Richmond late yesterday afternoon. Richmond Police Officer Thomas Grizzy, said the man was apparently standing on the tracks several hundred yards south of Summit Road around 4pm, when he was hit by the train…killing him instantly. Grizzy said the engineer sounded the train horn around Summit Road and would not speculate if the man saw or heard the approaching train. The train was hauling almost half a mile of freight and was unable to stop in time. Massachusetts State Police are handling the investigation.

More Free Lake Concerts Scheduled For Tonight In Pittsfield And North Adams

It’s Wednesday and that means its time for more free outdoor concerts at two area lakes. At Burbank Park on Onota Lake in Pittsfield, That Country Band, takes the city stage at 6pm. Boaters viewing “Live on the Lake” from the waters of Onota Lake in Pittsfield will have to do so further off shore. Beginning with tonight’s performance and for the rest of the Wednesday evening summer concert series, all watercraft are prohibited from anchoring with 30 feet of the shoreline line of Burbank Park and the Controy Pavilion, where the two-hour shows take place. The crackdown on boating near the “Live on the Lake” concerts, is the city’s latest effort to make the two-hour shows safer and more family friendly. In North Adams, Bang On A Can takes the stage at 7pm for another free “Concert at Windsor Lake” series. The rain date will be Sunday. The WHOOPEE FM/WNAW “Party in the Park” series of free concerts at Noel Field in North Adams begin on Thursday August 5th with the first band being Whiskey City.

Pittsfield Health Board Puts The Bite On Mosquito Spraying.

The Pittsfield Public Health Department has ordered the halt of the mosquito spraying program. Pittsfield Ward 6 City Councilor, John Krol, said in his latest newsletter, that the program has been halted because the Board of Health is concerned that the public has not received enough information about the program so they may fully understand the pros and cons of the spraying program. In his newsletter, Krol apologized to everyone who supported the project and hopes the Board of Health’s concerns can be addressed so that the program can resume. Krol said the majority of people in his Ward, who answered an online survey, voice support for the mosquito control program.

Pittsfield Planning Major Upgrade On Water Transmission System

The Pittsfield Department of Public Utilities will be conducting what they’re calling a “major upgrade” on what is known as the Cleveland Transmission Water Main. That’s the main water carrier into the City of Pittsfield from the Cleveland Water Treatment Plant. Commissioner Bruce Collingwood said the work will take place on Dalton Avenue at the intersection of Meadowview Drive and will require two lanes of Dalton Avenue to be closed beginning yesterday, thru August 10th. Collingwood said that to accommodate lane closures, traffic patterns will be changed on Meadowview Drive and at the northeast entrance to the Coltsville Shopping Center. The shopping center will remain open during this period of time and be accessible from the Merrill Road Entrance. Preliminary work has been going on for some time in the parking lot of the former K-Mart building.

Lomardi Producers Makes Donation To Berkshire Taconic

Broadway producers Tony Ponturo and Fran Kirmser presented a donation of $6,000 to Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation yesterday, to fund much-needed new equipment for the Weight Room and Music Lab at Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington. They also presented a donation of $1,000 to the Berkshire Youth Football Association, which sponsors of 26 teams and over 700 players from 6 to 14 years old. The donations reflect a portion of the box office proceeds from their play, LOMBARDI. “Lombardi”, stars Judith Light, who you may remember from the hit television show “Who’s the Boss” and Dan Lauria, who played the father on the Emmy award winning show “The Wonder Years”. The play is now previewing at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center before it moves to the Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway this fall.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Williamstown Selectmen Approve Two-Year Agreement To Share A Veterans Agent With North Adams.

Williamstown Selectmen met last night and approved a two-year agreement to share a veterans agent with North Adams and Adams beginning Aug. 1. It's the first of several partnerships the town is promoting with North Adams. Berkshire News Network media partner, IBerkshires.com, reports that the state requires the city of North Adams have a full-time agent but the city doesn't need an agent for that many hours. The concept of sharing was suggested by Mayor Richard Alcombright, who pledged greater North County collaborations when he took office earlier this year. Williamstown and Adams will each have the agent twice a week for 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon; the agent, David Robbins, will work mornings in the city but be available to any veteran in the three municipalities at anytime.

State Says: Property Owners Liable For Snow-Related Injuries.

No matter where you own property in Massachusetts, you are liable for snow-related injuries on your property….whether or not the snow accumulations are caused by Mother Nature or by snowplows. That ruling came from the State Supreme Judicial Court yesterday. The case stems from a law on the Massachusetts books for more then a century that said that property owners who failed to remove natural accumulations of snow on their property, could not be held liable. Yesterday, the court ruled that property owners do have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe.

Sheriff Candidate Tom Bowler Invites Everyone To Wahconah Park Tonight.

Candidate for Berkshire County Sheriff, Thomas Bowler, will throw out the first pitch of the game between the Pittsfield Colonials and Quebec at Wahconah Park tonight, to kick off a night out for campaign volunteers, supporters and anyone who loves the game of baseball. Bowler said this is not a fundraiser for his campaign, just an opportunity for everyone in the area to bring family and friends to the renovated Wahconah Park. He added that ticket prices for general admission, have been reduced to $4 dollars for tonight’s game and box seats are also being reduced tonight to $7 dollars. Bowler said that as a campaign, they decided they needed a night off and there's nothing better on a summer evening in the Berkshires than baseball. Bowler said he is hoping that all of his volunteers, supporters and everyone who hasn't yet had a chance to see the Pittsfield Colonials play, will join them at the ballpark tonight.

Pittsfield Mayor Jim Ruberto Cleared Of Ethics Charges.

Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto had reason to celebrate yesterday….he won’t be penalized for allegedly violating the state’s conflict of interest law in connection with Dan Duquette selling Boston Red Sox World Series tickets to Ruberto six years ago. The State Ethics Commission ruled that Ruberto and Duquette should have avoided the sale of the tickets in the first place. Ruberto and Duquette both faced fines of up to $2000 dollars. Mayor Ruberto has told the Berkshire News Network many times that the sale of the World Series tickets was for the face value of the tickets and nothing more. Mayor Ruberto seemed more jovial then usual yesterday at City Hall and now we know the reason why.

Great Barrington Prescription Drug Roundup Catching On….Williamstown May Be Next.

Recently, Great Barrington police held a very successful prescription drug round up in their town. Now, Williamstown police are thinking seriously about working with the City of North Adams to create a prescription drug collection program that would also include other local towns. If implemented, it could in place in about six weeks. In a five hour period on Saturday July 10th, Great Barrington’s prescription drug collection netted more then 40 pounds of pills, nearly 60 pounds of other items such as ointments and creams and another 26 pounds of medication administering items such as hypodermic needles.

State Wildlife Officials Seeking Public Input

The Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board is looking for some input from the public on its habitat management activities within wildlife management area’s. Wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists, hunters, anglers, birders, wildlife management area users and other conservation-minded individuals, are invited to attend and take part in an informational meeting Thursday night in Lenox. The meeting will include a presentation about the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s wildlife habitat management goals, practices and outcomes…..and a question and answer session. The meeting is being held at the Lenox Town Hall on Walker Street at 7pm Thursday.

Neighborhood Group Unsure About Silt Removal Plans

A group of homeowners in Stockbridge are less than convinced about the plan to remove silt from the Stockbridge Bowl. Estimates from the Stockbridge Bowl Association say that there is at least 85,000 cubic feet of silt in the bowl, which has accumulated over more than a decade. All that time, a series of natural gas pipes have been keeping the silt from drifting off. Published reports say that the Town of Stockbridge and the Stockbridge Bowl Association, is proposing to tunnel a diversion pipe under the gas pipes and dredging a portion of the lake. Opposition is coming from members of the Lake Drive Association – which is made up of about 35 homeowners, who are concerned about the safety of working under the gas pipes.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Adams Man Wins Public Service Award

75-year-old Roy Thompson of Adams, has been named the 2010 recipient of “The Margery and William Barrett Public Service Award”. Thompson has been involved in the local community over the last forty years. In the mid-1960s he played a crucial role in saving a financially troubled local youth basketball league in Adams – and that started off a four decade run of volunteering in the community. Thompson was an official for High School basketball and football – as well as youth sports leagues and semi-professional softball for several years. He was also a member of the Alert Hose Company for 26 years.

Gasoline Prices For The Final Week In July.

Now that we’re into the final week of July, let’s check out gasoline prices. As usual, Berkshire gasoline prices are running slightly above the state’s average…but not much. In North Adams…the average prices of gallon of unleaded regular gasoline is $2.73, $2.69 in Adams and Stamford, VT and between $2.73 and $2.79 in Williamstown. In Pittsfield, the average prices of a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.67 with the lowest price seen over the weekend…$2.65 a gallon. As usual, the southern Berkshires have the highest prices for gasoline. Great Barrington regular gasoline prices range from $2.71 - $2.75 while prices in Lee range from $2.77 to $2.81 a gallon. Regular gasoline in nearby Hillsdale, NY was seen at $2.84 a gallon.

Adams Aggi Fair Returns August 6th – 8th

The first fair of the 2010 season opens on Friday August 6th thru Sunday August 8th when the Adams Agricultural Fair opens for their 36th season. The Berkshire Eagle reports that the fair will feature the usual complement of fair activities such as agricultural and farm animal competitions. Fair officials said over the weekend that there is still plenty of time to fill out entry forms for the various competitions. Such entry forms are available at the North Adams and Adams libraries and the Adams Visitors Center. The Adams Fair is famous for its demolition derby and that will take place on Sunday August 8th. Judging of adult-owned sheep, goats and youth-owned cattle will be held Saturday August. 7 at 10 a.m., followed by a sheep dog demonstration at 12:30 p.m. Pony and horse pull exhibitions will begin at 11 a.m.

Pittsfield Police Investigating Playground Vandalism.

Pittsfield police are investigating the vandalism of playground equipment at several parks in town including Deming, Tucker, West Memorial and other parks. The Pittsfield Gazette reports that vandals set fire to slides and other play equipment Tucker Park. At Deming Park, vandals tried to break into a concession stand operated by a Little League group and destroyed fencing. The story of vandalism at the city’s parks was told during a recent Parks Commission meeting. Police have been asked to step up their patrols of city parks but Maintenance Director Ernie Fortini said that’s an option but not a solution. Meanwhile, Pittsfield police ask anyone who suspects vandals doing damage in any city park, to call them.

What To Do About Cleanup Of PCB’s In Housatonic River.

Federal environmental officials are trying to decide how extensively to clean up cancer-causing agents in the Housatonic River in Massachusetts and Connecticut. General Electric Co. used such toxic compounds, called PCBs, for more than four decades at its transformer plant in Pittsfield. The company has nearly completed the first phase of a cleanup in and around the city, at a cost of more than $400 million. Many people who fish or canoe in the near by Housatonic River, worry that dredging to remove PCBs, could disrupt recreation and spoil the natural beauty of the river. GE is expected to recommend in October, that it take a less invasive approach for the rest of the river cleanup, expected to focus on the river's first 10 miles downstream from the plant in Pittsfield

Testing Finds No Zebra Mussells In Stockbridge Bowl.

There’s good news for those who live or play at Stockbridge Bowl…..recent testing by Massachusetts Department of Conversation and Recreation, found no evidence of Zebra Mussels in the lake. The Berkshire Eagle reports that a team of divers took a look underwater near the town’s boat ramp from 5 to 30 feet and the entire perimeter of the lake was toured by boat while buoys and anchor lines at various locations were also checked. Selectman George Shippy….who is also Chairman of the Stockbridge Zebra Mussel Committee, said that he believes the public should know that the town’s efforts to keep the Stockbridge Bowl free of the mollusks have been successful.

Lee Man Found Not Guilty Of Sexual Assault Charges.

A 29-year-old Lee man was found not guilty of sexual assault charges recently in Berkshire Superior Court. The jury deliberated for about 5 hours over a 2-day period before finding Morton Hankey not guilty of single counts of rape of a child with force and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. The incident was alleged to have involved a girl who is now 16 years of age and allegedly occurred in Lee on June 29, 2008.

Neighborhood Group Unsure About Silt Removal Plans

A group of homeowners in Stockbridge are less than convinced about the plan to remove silt from the Stockbridge Bowl. Estimates from the Stockbridge Bowl Association say that there is at least 85,000 cubic feet of silt in the bowl, which has accumulated over more than a decade. All that time a series of natural gas pipes have been keeping the silt from drifting off. The Berkshire Eagle is reporting today that the town of Stockbridge and the Stockbridge Bowl Association is proposing to tunnel a diversion pipe under the gas pipes and dredging a portion of the lake. Plans also call for drawing the lake down to roughly 5 ½ feet to fight off Eurasion milfoil which has also collected for decades in the bowl. The opposition is coming from members of the Lake Drive Association – which is made up of about 35 homeowners. They are mainly concerned bout the safety of working under the gas pipes however, they are also unsure about the dredging and its effects. The details of that plan have not yet been laid out to the public.

Richmond Newsletter Sent To Residents.

The Town of Richmond is using the internet to keep its residents informed and the latest edition of the Richmond News Letter is reminding residents that if they haven’t licensed their dog as required by law, they’d better get to it. Town Manager Matt Kerwood told residents that a notice was recently sent out to numerous dog owners who have failed to license their dogs. Kerwood also reminded residents that their Fiscal Year 2011 1st Quarter real state, personal property tax and sewer betterment bills are due by August 2nd. Kerwood also reminded residents that the last day to register to vote in the September 14th primary election is August 25th.