At their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Community College unanimously approved the recommendation of its human resources sub-committee to appoint Paul Raverta as the college's new interim president.
Raverta, who holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Boston College, comes to BCC with more than 30 years of experience at Holyoke Community College (HCC). During his tenure at HCC, Raverta served as a senior-level administrator and faculty member in seven professional areas. These included service as Interim President, Acting Executive Vice President, Vice President for Student Development, Dean of Student Development, Registrar, Assistant Director of Continuing Education, and Assistant Professor of Anatomy and Physiology.
His most recent position at HCC was Vice President for Business and Community Affairs, and Executive Director of the Kittredge Business Center. His achievements in this position include the establishment of a regional business advisory group in collaboration with Springfield Technical Community College (STCC); and the submission of a joint federal workforce development grant for HCC, STCC, and Greenfield Community College.
Other achievements include a pilot Adult Basic Education to GED program in downtown Holyoke for city residents, and a "Transition to College" program at a local correctional facility. Raverta also increased business relationships with HCC through Chamber of Commerce representation and sponsorships, and increased access to international markets for businesses through HCC's World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER) and the Western Massachusetts Office of the Mass Export Center.
In addition to his professional qualifications, Raverta has a network of "established relationships" within the community college system and is "highly regarded by his colleagues throughout the state." Pending final approval by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the appointment will go into effect September 1 and will be for a period of up to two years.
Raverta's appointment will follow the two-month appointment of Dr. Andrew Scibelli, president emeritus of STCC, who could not continue as interim president beyond August 31 due to restrictions by the state's retirement board related to salary caps. "We were very disappointed in that decision," said Susan Lombard, chair of the BCC board. "Nevertheless," she added, "we need to continue to move on and we look forward to working with Dr. Raverta."
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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