CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Voters at town meeting on Wednesday will see a revised budget for fiscal 2021 that would reduce it overall by about $50,000 and raise the estimated tax rate by a much lower figure.
That's if the voters approve both the budget and the purchase of a new truck for no more than $250,000.
Select Board Chairman Ronald Boucher had been against considering the truck and adding $50,000-plus in debt annually for the next five years.
However, after consultations with Northern Berkshire School Union Business Administrator Jennifer Macksey, he believes that the purchase is now within reach.
"So, we're able to purchase a truck," he said at the remote meeting held Tuesday so as not to conflict with town meeting. "And we're going to be able to reduce the tax rate — not a big decrease — but a 3 cent increase decrease instead of a 40 cent increase."
Town officials had estimated that the debt on the truck could cost the taxpayers about 40 cents per $1,000 valuation. That had prompted Boucher's opposition to the vehicle.
The new truck and its wing plow would replace a 2002 dump truck that's been frequently in the shop racking up costly repairs.
"I've been doing this a long time. Twenty years this year. But I've always fought for the taxpayer and their well-being, especially this year with COVID-19," he said. "I just didn't think it was a good time to go to the people at Clarksburg and ask for an increase, knowing we needed the truck, but thank God things always tend to work out."
The debt service line would be reduced by $53,125. Since the town would only pay interest in fiscal 2021, the net result would decrease the new debt service down to $290,046.
When the truck payments begin in 2022, the borrowing for the reconstruction of Horrigan Road at $60,000 a year will have fallen off. The town will also be paying off the library, if town meeting approves, meaning that smaller debt will also be gone.
There will be an increase in the Finance line of $2,232, raising the total to $118,116 for auditor costs.
"The total requested budget put forward at town meeting will be $4,565,710," Boucher said. "That's inclusive of the town operating budget and the school."
Town meeting is set for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot at the Senior Center. Voters are asked to bring their own chairs and umbrellas, in case.
This outside town meeting is being held because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is limiting the number of people who can safely congregate indoors.
One thing missing that town officials will need is a moderator. No one stood for moderator in the last two elections and the write-in winner in last week's election has declined the post. Boucher said he was the second write-in but is not able by law to be both moderator and selectman.
Ray Moulthrop has stepped in at the last special town meeting but it was unclear if he would be available on Wednesday.
Select Board member Danielle Luchi asked if it could wait until town meeting. Boucher agreed and the matter was tabled to the town meeting when someone will be appointed to moderate the meeting.
The town is also seeking to fill three other empty posts: a one-year term on the Hoosac Water Quality District and two alternates seats on the Conservation Commission of one and two years.
Correction: iBerkshires reported the anticipated change in the tax rate incorrectly as an increase rather than a decrease.
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Moses Leads Force to Win in World Series Opener
FLORENCE, Ala. – Gianna Moses went 2-for-3 with a double and drove in a run on Friday to lead the Berkshire Force 12-and-under travel softball team to a 7-3 win over Davidson, N.C., at the Babe Ruth World Series.
The Force got just one other hit, a single from Cassidy Flynn, who finished with a pair of RBIs, on a day when it took advantage of five Davidson errors.
Berkshire jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, when Moses doubled and scored a run.
The Force led, 7-0, going to the bottom of the fifth before Davidson was able to put three runs across. The game ended after five due to the tournament’s time constraints.
Flynn and Olivia Archambault split time in the circle for the Force, combining to strike out seven, walk three and allow two earned runs.
The Force starts pool play with a record of 1-0 and continues on Saturday morning against the squad from Mexico. Berkshire wraps up pool play on Sunday with a double-header.
The game-winning rally started when Pittsfield junior Jack Abel led off by crushing a 1-1 pitch to left-center and racing all the way to third base, sliding in just ahead of the tag to give the Generals a sterling scoring opportunity. click for more
The Pittsfield baseball team Saturday rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie and went on to a 12-5 win over Clinton in the quarter-finals of the Division 4 State Tournament. click for more
Amanda Pou was named the most valuable player of the regional final after striking out four and walking none in a complete-game effort in the circle. She also ripped a two-run double in Pittsfield’s four-run fourth-inning rally to break open a scoreless game. click for more