Downtown Pittsfield Photo Challenge

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is holding a photo challenge to find the photo that best captures the theme downtown Pittsfield "Heart of the Berkshires." 
 
Entrants are encouraged to capture photos that showcase the beauty and personality of downtown Pittsfield, keeping in mind the theme "Heart of the Berkshires". Creativity is encouraged. 
 
The first-place winner, as determined by a panel of local judges, will have their photo featured in Pittsfield's 2023 Downtown Guide and a Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. social marketing campaign. The first and second place winners will take home a prize package donated by local downtown businesses. 
 
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will accept photo submissions through July 30, 2022. Winners will be notified by August 30, 2022. One image submission will be accepted per person, and the image must be taken in downtown Pittsfield. Entrants must fill out a Google form and email their photo to Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. Full contest rules and entry information can be found at downtownpittsfield.com. 
 
The first and second place winners will win an assortment of prizes donated by the following businesses: 101 Restaurant & Bar, Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Fitness and Wellness Center, Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Otto's Kitchen & Comfort, and Soma's Aromas. 
 
Google Form link
 
https://downtownpittsfield.com/2022/06/pittsfield-photo-challenge-is-accepting-entries-through-july-30-2022/
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

CBRSD School Committee OKs $36M Budget

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee approved a gross final budget of $36,643,001 for fiscal 2026, an increase of 2.70 percent over this year. 
 
The biggest cause of the increase is from insurances. The district's active health insurance premiums increased by 16 percent; retirees had an increase of 20 percent, and a 3 percent increase in dental, said Gregory Boino, director of finance and operations.
 
Another large increase was for special education transportation costs, which increased $135,000, "and it's just to meet the actual expenditures where we're living right now," Boino said. 
 
The district's Special Education Out of District Tuition line decreased by $214,350 because students are aging out of those out-of-district placements, he said. 
 
The Finance Committee also decreased the other post-employment benefits, or OPEB, amount by $350,000, so next year, the district will be funding it with $50,000, Boino said. 
 
The Finance Committee discussed how there is a deep need for the community to petition the state to change Chapter 70 education aid and rural aid, School Committee member Paul Farella said prior to the budget update. 
 
"The way that they work makes it extremely difficult for us to make a budget that is fair to towns when you have some that have high percentages of assessment and others with negative it can create a sticky situation," he said.
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