Lanesborough Board May Put Ambulance on Warrant

By Al HartheimerLanesborough News
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LANESBOROUGH — The Selectmen are considering a non-binding warrant article or a ballot question to find out if the townspeople are interested in having a full-time ambulance.

Town Administrator Paul Boudreau told the board at its March 10 meeting that Mr. Gaudette had called him to let him know how wonderful it was to have the town ambulance show up at his house.

There have been concerns that the part-time ambulance operated by the town can't provide enough coverage after one of the two backup ambulance services, American Medical Response, went out of business last year.

The town's part-time ambulance has been staffed by volunteers but officials say it has been harder to find volunteers for day duty. The town has approached the Berkshire Mall to chip in for equipment because of the number of calls there but mall officials have so far been noncommittal.

Two candidates have emerged for the vacant position of dog officer.

Michael McClay, who works 20 hours in Dalton, has offered to take the job part time; Ron Weider has also offered to take the job.

Two weeks ago, the Selectmen met with McClay and Dalton Police Chief John Bartels regarding sharing McClay's time.

McClay will meet with Town Administrator Paul Boudreau to discuss the possibility of working part time.

Discussions will be continued at the next meeting; no decision was reached.

William Decelles, road superintendent, reported that the recent storms had caused water problems on several town roads, including Ore Bed Road, Potter Mountain Road, North Main Street, Spring Street, Kessler Road and Silver Street.

 
The board also discussed accepting roads by "layout" or "prescription." To accept a road by layout, it has to be surveyed at town expense. To accept a road by prescription requires a trial before the Land Court in Boston for each road. For this the services of an attorney or some other individual would have to be at town expense. 

Boudreau will estimate the cost and details of each method and report to the board.

With respect to the unemployment insurance paid by mistake by the town to Doug Webb, a further investigation showed that the previously stated amount of several thousand dollars was wrong. He was paid only $381.

In other business:

  • Boudreau gave the board four job descriptions to review: town administrator, assessors' clerk, chief financial officer and animal control officer.
     
  • Boudreau reported that the new boilers in the Town Hall are using 25 to 30 percent less fuel than that used by the old boilers.
     
  • The work at Olsen Road will be put out to bid again as soon as White Engineering completes the new bid package.
     
  • The board approved the three-year contract with the Lanesborough Police Association.
     
  • Nomination papers are available at Town Hall for the following positions: Selectman, moderator, Sewer Commission, Planning Board, library trustee, assessor, cemetery trustee, Financial Committee and School Committee.The town election is Tuesday, May 20.
  • If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

    Lanesborough to Negotiate New HCA With Only Dispensary

    By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
    LANESBOROUGH, Mass. Due to evolving state regulations, the town must settle on a new or amended host community agreement with its only dispensary.
     
    On Monday, Feb. 24, the Select Board voted to allow Town Administrator Gina Dario to work with counsel towards a resolution.  Dario felt that both parties were willing to come up with a practical solution.
     
    Liberty Market, located on North Main Street, has requested a new host community agreement or host community agreement waiver in lieu thereof.  The town was sent a notice of non-compliance from the Cannabis Control Commission in January.
     
    "The discussion for the Select Board is whether or not to proceed with either a redrafting of the current host community agreement or a re-negotiation of a new host community agreement that uses a more prescriptive template that is being provided by The Cannabis Control Commission," Dario explained.
     
    A couple of years ago, the Canabis Control Commission (CCC) approved changes to the state's adult and medical use regulations including policies that implement the agency's oversight of host community agreements, new equity requirements, and suitability reform.
     
    "The Cannabis Control Commission is taking the position that changes to the cannabis laws which went into effect in November of 2022 are retroactive and affect pre-existing agreements, such as the one that the town has with Liberty Market," Attorney Nicole Costanzo said.
     
    "Of course, there are some novel legal issues presented as to whether or not the legislative changes do retroactively affect pre-existing host community agreements. It's my understanding that the town does want to work with Liberty Market nevertheless and try and get them a "compliant" agreement for purposes of the Cannabis Control Commission issuing them a license renewal to move forward."
     
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