GB early voting applications available; June 12 is voter registration deadline
Great Barrington — Early voting by mail for the Tuesday, June 30, annual town election is now under way. Town residents are urged to take part by requesting an early voting application.
Early voters can avoid lines and social distancing concerns by submitting ballots by mail.
Friday, June 12, is the voter registration deadline for both the Tuesday, June 30, election and the Monday, June 22, annual town meeting, to be held at 6 p.m. at Monument Mountain Regional High School.
For voter registration information, visit the state’s online voter registration website.
On Election Day, Tuesday, June 30, in-person voting will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Great Barrington Fire Department for Precincts A, C and D; and at the Housatonic Community Center for Precinct B. In-person voters will be asked to wear a mask and keep a 6-foot social distance.
To vote early by mail in the town election, residents must request an early voting application from the town clerk. The fillable application can be found online here or requested by phone from the clerk’s office by calling (413) 528-1619 x3. To email a ballot application to the clerk’s office, send a scan or photo of the completed application to jmessina@townofgb.org. Make sure the signature is visible. Via regular mail, send to Town Clerk, 334 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. By fax, send to (413) 528-1026. Voters may also drop their applications off at the Town Hall drop box in front of the Town Hall.
Once a voter receives a voting ballot and completes the voting process, the ballot must be returned to Town Hall by regular mail or left in the drop box. Ballots cannot be emailed or sent via fax.
For questions about the early voting process or any other voting-related questions, contact the town clerk’s office at (413) 528-1619 x3.
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Town seeks to streamline ‘wave parade’ plans with application process
Great Barrington — In an effort to streamline periodic celebratory “wave parades,” the town has created an application process to ensure police, fire and other resources are in place for the events.
The application asks for organizer information, number of vehicles expected in the parade, route maps, dates and times. The town fire and police departments, public works department and town manager will review and approve or disapprove requests.
“The recent wave parades in town — with school district teachers and high school graduates riding through town for sidewalk audiences — have boosted spirits and brought joy to our neighbors, and especially children who can’t attend school in person,” said town manager Mark Pruhenski. “We are all for it — we want to streamline our planning for these parades to make sure our various departments are able to accommodate requests.”
Wave parades, cropping up around the country in recent months, usually include police and fire vehicles with lights and sirens leading the way. Last weekend, graduates of Monument Mountain Regional High School made their way through town in a steam of vehicles, wearing caps and gowns and blaring their horns. The streets were lined with well-wishers.
The application is an online, fillable document that can be submitted to the town via email or returned to the drop box outside Town Hall, 334 Main St.
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Police: Junk cars and boats must be registered, removed or receive permit
Great Barrington — The Great Barrington Police Department is conducting its annual campaign to enforce the town’s automobile storage bylaw. Unregistered or dilapidated cars or boats left on property are in violation of this bylaw, and the town offers four ways to rectify the situation:
- Properly register the vehicle or boat;
- Screen the vehicle or boat from public view by permanent means such as fencing or a garage structure;
- Remove the vehicle or boat; or
- Obtain a nonrenewable permit from the police station for $25 that is good for one vehicle or boat for one year only.
The following nonprofit agencies may pick up unwanted vehicles and offer a tax deduction for the donation:
- National Kidney Foundation: (800) 488-2277;
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving: (800) 720-6233; and
- American Lung Association: (800) 577-5864, com.
Police officers are checking all town streets to enforce this bylaw, and residents are being asked to comply within three weeks. The bylaw calls for a $50 fine for each day of the violation.
For more information. call Officer Andres Huertas at (413) 528-0306 x141.