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ServiceNet Director Recognized as 'Commonwealth Heroine'

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BOSTON — A North Berkshire woman was among the 130 honored June 23 as a Commonwealth Heroine.
 
Erin Forbush, director of shelter and housing at ServiceNet, was nominated by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
 
Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Legislators are encouraged to nominate a woman from their constituency who is making a big difference in the community, to recognize her invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service.
 
"The Commonwealth Heroines are women who don't make the news, but make all the difference in their communities," MCSW Chair Sarah Glenn-Smith said as the commission celebrated its 20th class of Commonwealth Heroines at the 2023 awards ceremony in the State House's Great Hall of Flags.
 
Farley-Bouvier said she nominated Forbush because she sets the example for respecting others, especially the most disabled, disenfranchised members of our community, and that she has a natural ability to connect with and inspire people who are at their lowest point in life.
 
"Recently, she guided our family and individual shelters through the COVID-19 pandemic — engaging in problem-solving and answering the call 24/7 for three years. Her leadership bolstered the staff during these strenuous times, as it does every day," said the Pittsfield lawmaker. "Erin's professionalism, knowledge, humility, and compassion make her an invaluable asset to ServiceNet and to the community."
 

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Clarksburg OKs $5.1M Budget; Moves CPA Adoption Forward

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Newly elected Moderator Seth Alexander kept the meeting moving. 
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The annual town meeting sped through most of the warrant on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments. 
 
Close to 70 voters at Clarksburg School also moved adoption of the state's Community Preservation Act to the November ballot after a lot of questions in trying to understand the scope of the act. 
 
The town operating budget is $1,767,759, down $113,995 largely because of debt falling off. Major increases include insurance, utilities and supplies; the addition of a full-time laborer in the Department of Public Works and an additional eight hours a week for the accountant.
 
The school budget is at $2,967,609, up $129,192 or 4 percent over this year. Clarksburg's assessment to the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District is $363,220.
 
Approved was delaying the swearing in of new officers until after town meeting; extending the one-year terms of moderator and tree warden to three years beginning with the 2025 election; switching the licensing of dogs beginning in January and enacting a bylaw ordering dog owners to pick up after their pets. This last was amended to include the words "and wheelchair-bound" after the exemption for owners who are blind. 
 
The town more recently established an Agricultural Committee and on Wednesday approved a right-to-farm bylaw to protect agriculture. 
 
Larry Beach of River Road asked why anyone would be against and what the downside would be. Select Board Chair Robert Norcross said neighbors of farmers can complain about smells and livestock like chickens. 
 
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