According to the selectmen, the committee's charge will be to "oversee several town-sponsored events and programs honoring Du Bois," including: the Du Bois Day Celebration; the annual Du Bois Festival (from Martin Luther King Day through Feb. 23); banner installations; collaboration with UMass Amherst and local educational institutions and arts, historical and community organizations; and more.
"I want to express my gratitude to our Selectmen and our Police Department for creating and unanimously passing the ‘Sanctuary’ resolution at their last meeting. You made me proud to be a citizen of Great Barrington."
--- Local author Daniel Klein, addressing the Selectboard
Depending on what happens this week with the school budget, to be voted on this Thursday (March 3), the property tax rate could go up from the current rate of $14.29 per thousand to $15.15, a 6 percent hike.
In his letter to the editor, Patrick Fennell of Great Barrington, Mass., writes: “The $2.1 million state grant for Bridge Street upgrades … will be used for unnecessary underground lines, and cosmetic repairs when all of Berkshire County is in dire need of bridge repairs.”
The town’s annual election will be held Tuesday May 12, in an election that could determine a significant change in the focus of town leadership. There are contests for the four open seats on major town boards, two on the Selectboard and two on the Finance Committee. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Basically, we’re going after the school budget and the school committee. That [budget] has been bloated for years. [The district] wins every year by packing the [town] meeting. That’s the thing that’s driving expenses."
-- Republican Town Committee member George Beebe
