iBerkshires Briefs: Rent Hearing Set, Colonials Celebrated

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Williamstown Committee Hears Spruces Rent Request

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Mobile Home Rent Control Board meets Monday night at 7:30 at Town Hall to hear a petition by Morgan Management, owners of Spruces Mobile Home Park, for an increase in the monthly lot rental.

Morgan has asked for a $214 rent increase on lots in the park. Its recent request for $141 increase at Wheel Estates Mobile Home Park in North Adams was rejected and the rent control board there instead gave the Pittsford, N.Y., company a $49 hike.

The board was to meet Aug. 11 but that meeting was posptoned to September. The board will meet to review all data submitted by Morgan Management and to hear discussion and arguments by both Morgan Management and the tenants.

Pittsfield Celebrates Colonials' Winning Season

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city will celebrate the Pittsfield Colonial's successful first season with a ceremony hosted by Mayor James M. Ruberto on the steps of City Hall at 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

The Colonials made it into the championship series of the Canadian-American League and its manager, former Red Sox player Brian Daubach, was named manager of the year.

"The Colonials have done a phenomenal job during their first season here in Pittsfield," said Ruberto, in a statement. "We are very proud of what they've accomplished, and how they represented Pittsfield in the CanAm League championship."

Colonials President Buddy Lewis described them as "a real Cinderella team." said Pittsfield Colonials President Buddy

"We got off to a late start at the beginning of the season, but they worked hard to get to the championships," he said in a statement. "They have a lot to be proud of. I know I'm certainly proud of them."

The ceremony was to include a presentation of the team's three All-Star trophies and the Manager of the Year Award by the mayor. Ruberto was also to issue a proclamation, and award certificates of recognition to the team members.

Lanesborough Cable Committee Seeks members

Mike Murphy, committee chairman
Lanesborough News

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Cable Committee will hold a membership meeting on Monday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. in the library at Town Hall. Townspeople interested in joining are encouraged to attend.
 
The committee's function is to interact with the town's cable provider, Charter Communications, and to address subscriber problems and requests. The committee also negotiates the cable franchise agreement between Charter Communications and the town. The negotiation process will begin in the next several months and current franchise agreement expires in September 2013.
 
This is not a forum meeting and no Charter Communications representatives will be in attendance.
 
Those with concerns regarding Charter Communications should send comments and questions to the committee at michaelp19@verizon.net.

Adams Company Catching Up on Tax Payments

ADAMS, Mass. — The town has received at least half the $16,098.60 back taxes owed it since February by MJD Real Estate LLC, owner of the former Curtis Fine Papers Co., according to a report last week in the North Adams Transcript. The company also said it would move its trucking operations behind the buildings.

The company purchased the Howland Avenue property last year and take responsibility for the $500,000 in back taxes owed on the bankrupt mill. MJD had paid $95,000 upfront and made arrangements to pay $2,000 a month but fell behind earlier this year.

The Selectman authorized town counsel in July to inform the company that defaulting on its agreement with the town would mean the reinstitution of fees and penalties waived when it purchased the mill and the witholding of permits.
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Counting Birds Now a Christmas Tradition

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

The bird counts are important in collecting data for ornithologists and conservationists. 
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A team of birders will be heading out across North County on Saturday to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count.
 
The count has become a tradition for many over the last 125 years while providing valuable environmental insights for researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies, and others. 
 
Participating in this wildlife census allows people to observe and interact with birds in their local environments directly and can inspire a deeper connection to nature, instilling a desire to protect it, said Tom Tyning, former Hoffmann Bird Club president and longtime Christmas Bird Count participant. 
 
Bird watching is the most popular leisure time activity in the United States, said David Schaller, North County count compiler and a leader of Saturday's team. 
 
"It's a way to be outside. It's a way to connect with nature. It's good exercise. It's good mentally — you're trying to look at a bird and figure out what kind of bird it is," he said.
 
"For some participants in our group, it's a family tradition that is as important to them as other Christmas traditions."
 
This one-day activity is far more than that for many. It introduces new participants to a wealth of knowledge in environmental and natural science and can transform into a lifelong hobby because of its vast number of topics, Tyning said. 
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