Great Barrington announces voter registration deadlines
Great Barrington — The deadline for voter registration for the Tuesday, Nov. 6, midterm elections is Wednesday, Oct. 17. Those seeking to register may do so at Great Barrington Town Hall at 334 Main St., or online.
Early voting will take place Monday, Oct. 22, through Friday, Oct. 26, as well as Monday, Oct. 29, through Friday, Nov. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town Hall. Absentee ballot applications must be received by the town clerk by Monday, Nov. 5, at noon; completed ballots must be received by the town clerk by Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 8 p.m.
On Election Day, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Great Barrington Fire Station, 37 State Road, for voters in precincts A, C and D; and at the Housatonic Community Center, 1064 Main St. in Housatonic, for Precinct B voters.
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Knob Hill Road construction to begin Tuesday, Oct. 9
Great Barrington — Contractors will begin work on the Knob Hill Road storm drainage improvement project beginning the week of Tuesday, Oct. 9. Work includes excavation of the road to install new catch basins and pipe, and repaving of the road including curbing.
The work should take four to six weeks depending on weather, with the goal of substantial completion and repaving before Thanksgiving. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays, with no work on weekends or holidays. One-way traffic should be maintained for most of the project. If closures are warranted, the town will attempt to provide advance notice. The work is part of the town’s comprehensive approach to mitigate stormwater runoff that impacts the water quality of Lake Mansfield.
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Hinds named chair of school transportation commission
Boston — Sen. Adam G. Hinds, D-Pittsfield, has announced that he has been appointed to co-chair the Special Commission on Improving Efficiencies in Student Transportation by Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Ashland.
The commission, established by Section 77 of the fiscal year 2019 state budget, is charged with making recommendations to the Joint Committee on Education on how school districts can improve and implement efficiencies in regards to various student transportation issues, such as:
- Students attending regional schools;
- Students in special education out-of-district placements;
- Students attending out-of-district vocational and technical schools;
- Students attending out-of-district agricultural schools; and
- Any other student transportation the commission deems appropriate.
During its scope of work, the commission will study and report on:
- A review of methods districts use to transport said students, including current costs and bid processes in procuring transportation;
- A budget assessment for said costs; and
- Recommendations for improving transportation services.
Hinds’ co-chair will be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives. Hinds will be joined on the commission by Rep. Brad Hill, R-Ipswich. In total, there are 11 members of the commission, to be appointed by the speaker of the House, the Senate president, the House and Senate minority leaders, the secretary of education, the commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the governor.
The governor must appoint five members of the commission, who will represent various professional educational stakeholder groups: the Massachusetts Association of Regional Schools, the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and the Massachusetts Administrators of Special Education.
The commission, in formulating its recommendations, shall consider the best policies and practices implemented in other states and convene at least f public meetings. The commissioner of DESE may make staff available to support the work of the commission.
Hinds will host Spilka in the Berkshires in late October for a day of policy discussions relevant to his agenda for his Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden District. While the schedule of events is still under development, he expects to convene a public forum on school financing issues during Spilka’s visit that will help inform his efforts as chair.
