As required by collective bargaining agreements, Town Manager Mark Pruhenski bargained with labor unions representing town workers on Friday.
Tag: Stephen Bannon
Great Barrington Selectboard members clarify guidelines for visitors during COVID-19 contagion
We are concerned for the welfare of year-round residents AND second-home owners. More people arriving here, especially from an area where the likelihood of illness is high, is not good for the people arriving or the people already here.
News Brief: Great Barrington officials request relief for commercial, residential tenants
The town will be discussing the possibility of delaying tax and license deadlines by an additional 30 days once approval is granted from the state.
Alan Chartock: I Publius
Frankly, I never wanted to get into this, but the issues here are so clear and the arrogance of the Great Barrington Selectboard majority is so great that I am doing what I have to do.
Alan Chartock: I Publius. Letters to the Doctor
I have always thanked New York Gov. Cuomo for filling Great Barrington’s coffers. It didn’t seem to lower my tax bill, but who pays attention to those things?
Activists file home-rule petition on horse racing, as questions are raised about selectboard policy changes
But there is a workaround for local control. The project would require as many as three special permits from the town.
Alan Chartock: I Publius
Leigh clearly thinks that every citizen should have a voice. I believe that is her motivation — to give a voice to the town’s citizens — and not be seen as an agitator on the board. She should be supported.
Great Barrington residents vent about speeding, ‘scandalous’ bridge closures
At Monday’s Great Barrington Selectboard meeting at the Claire Teague Senior Center, concerns ranged from traffic, speeding, and the impact the closure of the Division Street and Cottage Street bridges are having on businesses and residents alike.
Second effort to close Lake Mansfield Road next month fails
Brandee Nelson said the task force is “confused” about what the selectboard’s “goal is going forward” and “how confusing it might be to drivers” in transitioning the road to one-way and then going “to a closure scenario.”
Sore feelings evident after selectboard decision not to close crumbling Lake Mansfield Road
At issue is the fact that the Conservation Commission, which, on the local level, enforces the state Wetlands Protection Act, is also charged with enforcing the town’s own wetland bylaw, which is somewhat more stringent than the state law.
Divided selectboard votes to keep Lake Mansfield Road open one-way — for now
Among the problems with a permanent closure, town manager Mark Pruhenski said, is the lack of a plan to deal with a “turn-around and detour of vehicles” from the sudden closure of the Division Street bridge earlier this month.
At BHRSD-SBRSD summit, talk of potential merger and doing what’s best for students
School committee members noted that the driving force behind the merger should be greater opportunity for students and a desire “to keep education strong” in the two districts amid declining enrollments.
Officials: Temporary repair to Cottage Street bridge out of the question
Town manager Mark Pruhenski told the audience that such a move might force the town alone to pay the costs of replacement.
Hearing for pot farm sparks anger and threats of removal from Selectboard Chair
On several occasions during the hearing, Great Barrington Selectboard Chairman Steve Bannon rapped his gavel and warned hecklers that they would be removed from the room if they persisted.
In ‘historic night,’ two districts set wheels in motion for merger
Berkshire Hills voted unanimously to appoint two subcommittees. The first will focus on the nuts and bolts of a potential consolidation. On the recommendation of the Southern Berkshire school committee, a second subcommittee would focus on the educational aspect of the potential consolidation.
Possible buyer surfaces for old firehouse; Mahaiwe, Warrior Trading owner expressed interest
Kate McCormick, who represents 20 Castle Street LLC and its principal, Tom Borshoff, would not identify the possible buyer of the property because a purchase-and-sales agreement had not yet been signed.
Lawmakers assure Great Barrington officials: Local permits required to reintroduce horse racing at Fairgrounds
Town officials have said Sterling Suffolk Racecourse would need at least two special permits: One for commercial amusement and another for floodplain protection, and possibly a third for work in the town’s water quality protection overlay district.
Concerns aired about Suffolk Downs’ plans for horse racing at fairgrounds
Suffolk needs a change in state law to permit it to hold races in Great Barrington while at the same time allowing it to maintain its simulcasting and betting operations back in East Boston. Racing at the fairgrounds would also require permits from the town.
South Berkshire selectmen more receptive to Berkshire Hills merger than school officials
All school committee members were willing to listen but many were skeptical about whether the process would ultimately lead to success.
In ‘joint’ meeting, Great Barrington officials call for public info session on limiting pot shops
New zoning bylaws would prevent some cannabis retailers from opening merely by restricting the number of available locations. On the other hand, a policy from the selectboard placing a numerical limit would clearly prevent more retailers from opening.
Grayhouse is rebuffed, as selectmen ‘reboot’ process of Housatonic School reuse
“I feel like I would like more of guarantee that you can actually move forward with financing it. It doesn’t give me a lot of feeling that this could happen.”
— Great Barrington Selectboard member Leigh Davis
Looking back, looking ahead: Efforts to name a school after the legendary W.E.B. Du Bois
Now another movement to rename a different school building in Berkshire Hills is taking shape. Supporters of Du Bois are ramping up an effort to rename Monument Valley Regional Middle School in memory of Du Bois.
Great Barrington Town Clerk Marie Ryan to become town administrator in West Stockbridge
The task of hiring a new town clerk will fall to new town manager Mark Pruhenski, who himself was only hired this spring and is currently in his first week on the job.
After six years as Great Barrington town manager, Tabakin says goodbye
“I love Great Barrington and it’s been a privilege to be here for six years and serve the town,” outgoing town manager Jennifer Tabakin said late Thursday afternoon at a farewell party in her honor at 20 Railroad Public House.
Downtown Great Barrington construction ‘moving along pretty swiftly’
The town expects to have the north side of Railroad Street “buttoned up,” including the installation of bases for decorative light poles, by the end of this week.
Selectmen put the kibosh on plans for ‘mini Woodstock’ hot-air balloon festival at airport
In the end, it was simply too much to ask of the board, especially after receiving several emails from neighbors who complained loudly that allowing the event would be a “slippery slope” and that the neighborhood near the airport was too densely populated.
No temporary fix: Cottage Street bridge to be closed for five years
Though the vote was unanimous to keep the bridge closed, selectboard Chairman Steve Bannon said the board could always change its mind if there was a groundswell of objections from neighbors.
News Briefs: GB construction update; GB candidates’ forum; Conservation Land Tax Credit bill approved
A public forum for all Great Barrington candidates will be held Wednesday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Claire Teague Senior Center, 917 South Main St.
For many Great Barrington voters, a tough decision for selectboard awaits
“I have no idea how this election will turn out. I put signs up this weekend. I asked some people to put up signs and they said no. They liked everybody.”
— Great Barrington Selectboard Chair Steve Bannon
Bannon brings integrity, dedication to Great Barrington Selectboard
In a letter to the editor, Ron Majdalany writes “We are indeed fortunate to have such an outstanding citizen who remains willing to serve the town.”
Next Steps forms broad consensus on future of MMRHS but delays recommendation to school committee
“From where I’m standing, it’s clear that we don’t have enough information. One of the worries everyone has is the community is going to be split on this.” –Monument Next Steps member Joshua Shapiro
GB on Tap update: Bylaw enforcement and water stations
The three installation sites – Town Hall, Mason Library and Housy Dome – were chosen in careful coordination with the Department of Public Works.