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Ruberto, Bianchi Spar in 'Pub' Debate

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Dan Valenti introduces the candidates at the PCTV studio on Thursday. The audio is below.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidates James M. Ruberto and Daniel Bianchi traded jabs for an hour Thursday afternoon in live match on Pittsfield Community Television.

The meet was the idea of commentator and writer Dan Valenti, who wanted to take the candidates out of a structured forum for a face-to-face conversation as if they'd sat down together discuss the issues at Patrick's Pub.

With but a slight push from Valenti, incumbent Ruberto and challenger Bianchi traded blows over crime statistics, campaign smears and financial acuity.

We'll have more on the story later, but for now you can hear the conversation for yourself.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Dalton Finance Makes Reserve Fund Transfers

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Finance Committee made two reserve fund transfers last Wednesday night. 
 
The reserve fund balance is currently $60,000. This is the first reserve fund transfer the town has made this fiscal year, committee clerk Karen Schmidt said. 
 
A transfer to the vocational education tuition account for $16,000 was approved. The original appropriation was $605,020 and the present balance is $4,527. 
 
It had been previously demonstrated that setting the budget for this account can be challenging due to the uncertainty about how many students will choose to attend vocational education programs.
 
The vocational education account was reduced by $90,000 during a September special town meeting; however, a spot opened up at a vocational program, so a student decided to transfer after the start of the second quarter. 
 
A transfer for the employee fringe benefits account was approved for $10,000. The original appropriation was $64,180. 
 
The present balance is $4,412.77 and is not sufficient to cover the vacation payouts and sick buy backs of the six employees who left this year. 
 
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