Elder Services Hires New Community Services Director

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. (Elder Services) announced the recent hiring of Kayla Brown-Wood as the Agency's Community Services Director.
 
In her new role, Kayla will be responsible for Elder Services' federal programs. These include the Home and Community Based Programs (Information and Referral, Volunteers, Options Counseling and Family Caregivers) as well as the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, Planning and Development and the Nutrition and Food Service departments. 
 
She will also oversee the Agency's outreach activities and marketing efforts.    
 
Kayla, who resides in Adams, worked at BFAIR for the past eight years, most recently as the Director of Day Services with responsibility for the community based day habilitation and employment programs funded by the Department of Developmental Services, Mass Rehab Commission and MassHealth.
 
She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Fitchburg State University and is currently pursuing an MBA in healthcare administration from Franklin Pierce University.
 
Elder Services Executive Director Christopher McLaughlin commented, "We are very pleased that Kayla has joined our team. We believe her leadership qualities, experience and passion for community-based services will serve her well in her new role and look forward to her making significant contributions at our Agency."
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Lanesborough to Vote on 34 Articles at ATM

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Voters will decide 34 warrant articles at the annual town meeting on June 11.

The Select Board endorsed a long list of articles during its regular meeting on Monday, most without discussion. 

A $11,846,607 spending plan has been proposed for fiscal year 2025, a 4.3 percent increase from the this year. The budget includes a net increase of $237,129 in education costs for the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School, less than the $271,478 increase in FY24. 

Three articles are related to short-term rentals, or Airbnbs: To impose a local excise tax of up to 6 percent of the total amount of rent for each occupancy, a 3 percent impact fee on "professionally managed" short-term rentals, and a 3 percent impact fee on short-term rentals in two- or three-family dwellings.

"These are the proposed language as provided by town counsel," Town Administrator Gina Dario explained.

Included in the 34 articles is one citizen's petition, which the board was not required to endorse. If passed, this petition would increase the Select Board from three to five members with an annual election of the chair. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in that election would serve a three-year term, the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes would serve a two-year term, and the candidate receiving the third highest number of votes would serve a one-year term, with three-year terms to follow.

Two articles needed clearance from the Planning Board before coming to the Select Board, one being a request to amend the town's zoning bylaw to raise the cap on accessory dwelling units from 900 to 2,500 square feet.  

The proposal is in response to the lack of housing availability in the community and is the second go-around.

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