The current membership is dedicated and effective. Their effectiveness is especially remarkable given that the town faces “diverse risks over a large geography.” Burger does a commendable job of collecting and managing data.
Tag: Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin
State DEP issues ‘unilateral administrative order’ against Housatonic Water Works
Housatonic Water Works Co-owner Jim Mercer explained that there is no threat to public health. Nor does the unilateral administrative order from DEP state that there is such a threat.
Discord marks Bannon’s appointment as chair of the new Great Barrington selectboard
“I don’t think this is good for Great Barrington. I think we already have conflicts with the other two towns over the school and I don’t see this as bringing it together.”
— Ed Abrahams, commenting on Selectman and School Committee Chair Steve Bannon also becoming Selectboard chairman.
Great Barrington town manager to resign, effective next summer
“My plan has always been to give my full effort to this job for six years and then broaden my professional experiences by pursuing other opportunities.”
— Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin in her letter to Selectboard
Austerity prevails in Great Barrington budget talks
In total, of the $222,476 in cuts Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin presented, about $190,000 was approved by the Selectboard and Finance Committee.
“This is a year of real austerity.”
— Finance Committee Chairman Tom Blauvelt.
TOWN HALL BRIEFS: Selectmen take stand against hate and intolerance
Individual selectmen signed a “Not In Our County” pledge presented to them by Multicultural BRIDGE.
Powerhouse Square project to start in January, transforming Bridge Street corridor
These projects will change the face of the Bridge Street corridor, coming as they do on the heels of the redevelopment of the former Bryant Elementary School by Iredale Mineral Cosmetics Inc.
Great Barrington’s parking shortfall: Fact or fiction?
“If you don’t think we have a problem, watch drivers circle our streets on Saturdays like desperate sharks.”
— Writer and downtown resident Mickey Friedman
Main Street transformer catches fire, causing power outages. Traffic now restored
At 11:42 a.m. a CODE RED message from Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin announced that traffic along Main Street had been restored to normal.
Civic group aims high for celebration of Du Bois’ 150th birthday
“This isn’t about Black history. It’s about American history. It’s time we bring it into the light where it can be shared and studied.” — state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli
New construction boosts Great Barrington tax revenues
Great Barrington has recorded $37 million in new construction in the past year, resulting in permit fees totaling more than $88,000 and new tax revenues of $538,690.
NEWS BRIEF: Senior Center closed for repairs due to flooding
Repairs will include installation of a new floor, wall repair and abatement work, and general cleaning.
As Trump takes aim at sanctuary cities, Great Barrington may make itself one
We don’t have a local role to play in enforcing federal immigration law. Undocumented residents should not fear calling the police for assistance or to report a crime.
— Great Barrington Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin
Town to take the edge off – its new curbing
Great Barrington is buffing the edges of its new granite Main Street curbing that has punctured so many tires since MassDOT installed it last year. The town took action now that the DOT has signed off on the project.
Selectboard hears plea for South County heroin addiction treatment facility
“We live in a wonderful town…a beautiful community. How do we get people to realize that when we’re walking along shopping there are kids buying and selling heroin?”
— Kingsley Little, whose son suffers from heroin addiction
March against PCB dumps should not have to pay town fees
In her letter to the editor, Pooja Prema writes: “To ask the people of Great Barrington to pay for protesting an ongoing ecological atrocity that was committed by corporate greed – to put the bill on citizens instead of taking up the responsibility as a town government – is both ridiculous and shameful.”
Selectboard contemplates litigation over Housatonic Water Works rate increase
The town, apparently, is now considering a more active role in the anomaly, as Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin had declared before the DPU, of “a privately owned company that provides public water.” This report newly updated with statements by Town Counsel David Doneski regarding two executive sessions dealing with the Housatonic Water Works Company.
Great Barrington takes steps to assure pedestrian safety on Main Street
The repainting of Main Street crosswalks “is just one of many ways to make pedestrians and drivers safer,” said Town Manager Jennifer Tabakin. She noted that the town would also be adding new signage to remind drivers of the speed limit.
Great Barrington Selectboard nixes vote on unified district tax rate
“We’re not kidding around about this. We care about education…we’re not interested minor tweaks [to the agreement]…we’re going to start saying no [to the school budget].”
— Sean Stanton, chair of the Board of the Selectmen, who favored a vote on a unified school district tax rate
Let the Great Barrington budget battle begin: Town operating costs up 1.3 percent
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.
Five Eagleton School employees arraigned on charges of abuse of students, destroying evidence
Eagleton School is accredited by the Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) and Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). In early January, Great Barrington police began an investigation into allegations of physical and emotional abuse of students.
Car accident highlights need for traffic light at MMRHS entrance
“If they’re waiting for someone to lose their child it’s unconscionable. Whatever their formula is should not involve a dead body.”
— Ben Hillman, whose daughter was involved in an accident where the Monument Mountain Regional High School driveway exits onto U.S. Route 7