When contacted by The Berkshire Edge, SBREA President Andrew Rapport, who is also a social studies teacher at Mount Everett Middle School, disputed many of the details in a press release published on behalf of Superintendent Beth Regulbuto regarding the contract negotiations.
The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire can finally proceed with its plan to build an affordable housing complex at 100 Bridge Street after receiving the go-ahead from the selectboard.
The language that is always being used is that the CDC is ghettoizing our poor, or low- and moderate-income families ... We think that description is absurd, given where the site is ... and the fact that ... 50 percent of the families in Great Barrington qualify for these units."
-- Tim Geller, executive director of the CDC
Calvin Alexander Ramsey's play, and his later children's story “Ruth and the Green Book,” both draw inspiration from the same story that inspired the Academy Award-nominated film “Green Book.”
The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire has announced that Salisbury Bank has made it a $5,000 grant, which will support the organization by growing its general fund.
Saint James Placehas announced that Leigh Davis, director of development at Mill Renaissance LLC and Eagle Mill Redevelopment LLC, has been elected to its board of directors.
The funds will provide the final financing for the $17.2 million 100 Bridge Street project that will build 45 new affordable rental units and simultaneously remediate the entire 8-acre site.
CDCSB executive director Tim Geller told the Edge that his estimate is that construction on the new apartments will begin in the spring of 2021—a year later than currently scheduled—and that the rent will be “very affordable.”
“Access to affordable housing affects every aspect of our community by improving financial stability and a safe and stable environment for families and school children."
-- Tim Geller, executive director of the Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire
Grayhouse principal Bill Nappo and his financial consultant, Gillette Conner, updated the selectboard Monday night on the progress of the project. They said they are working closely with MassDevelopment on securing financing.
A celebration of 11 years of original plays, expanded programming and affordable professional theater, the Berkshire Playwrights Lab gala evening will include light dinner fare, a silent auction and a short surprise performance.
Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, will serve as the game-day announcer of the Community At Bat charity softball game; and Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, and Great Barrington town manager Jennifer Tabakin will be the team captains.
Town manager Jennifer Tabakin told the selectboard Monday night she has received a proposal from Grayhouse Partners, a general contractor specializing in renovations, to buy the Housatonic School.
Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire's executive director Tim Geller noted that these changes are “insubstantial” enough not to trigger another public hearing, as state regulations require it for “substantial” changes to the comprehensive permit, which was already granted last fall.
Williams Recovery of All Perishable Surplus and Moo-Mami, a student cooking group, will continue a long-term project with the college’s Dining Services to gather, prepare, and distribute free, healthy meals to area housing communities and organizations.
