Suicide Prevention Group Gives Leadership Award To Berkshire President

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP) has selected Brian Berkel to receive the Leadership in Suicide Prevention Award this year.
 
Berkel, a retired Lieutenant with the State Police, currently serves as President of the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention (BCSP). In his role as President, Berkel has created a bridge between BCSP and first responders, the District Attorney's office, local community mental health providers, minority organizations, and other area mental health and suicide prevention advocates.
 
In his role, Berkel led a group of suicide loss survivors and volunteers to form and launch a Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) team in Berkshire County. LOSS teams are made up of trained first responders and survivors of suicide loss who go to the scene of a suicide to provide support, information about available resources, and hope to the newly bereaved. The goal of the LOSS model is to make sure survivors do not wait years to get the help they need to cope with this devastating and traumatic loss.
 
Without postvention, the average length of time that survivors of suicide loss take to reach out for help is 4.5 years; research shows that people bereaved by a suicide loss are at increased risk for dying by suicide themselves. The Berkshire County LOSS team will work in conjunction with the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office.
 
In addition to the LOSS team, Berkel supported a media campaign to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential emotional support to people in a suicidal crisis or emotional distress. He also arranged for Board members to receive various trainings such as Talk Saves Lives, Mental Health First Aid, and Signs of Suicide (SOS). He is also a strong advocate for gun safety.
 
In addition to his long-term affiliation with BCSP, Berkel also serves as Treasurer on the board of Berkshire HorseWorks and for the Pittsfield Lions Club, as well as serving as a Board Member for the Non-Profit Center of the Berkshires. Past community involvement incudes volunteering as a mentor to at-risk youth through Big Brothers of Berkshire County and 18 Degrees.
 
"I have worked with Brian [Berkel] on the Coalition for about nine years. I have always respected him as a board member, but his leadership is inspiring. His ability to form positive relationships across the community is exactly what the coalition needs in order to connect those who struggle and provide support programs for those who have lost a loved on to suicide," he said.
 
The Leadership in Suicide Prevention Award award will be presented to Berkel on March 4, 2023, at the annual MCSP State House Day.
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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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