PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire, the Regional Economic Development Organization and Marketing and Tourism Organization for the 32 cities and towns of Berkshire County, is currently seeking submissions to the 2024 Berkshire Business Needs Assessment.
This assessment, last conducted in 2021, has played a role in the development and allocation of business support resources across the region for years, and the updated responses will do the same for the upcoming years. Outcomes from the assessment will be utilized by 1Berkshire and shared with resource provider agencies to help them decide how to utilize their staff capacity, financial resources, and support services to best fit the current and future needs of the business community in the region.
Participants should expect to take approximately 10 minutes to complete the assessment, and submissions will be accepted up through Aug. 1, 2024.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Curtis Says $200K Cut Won't Mean Staff Reductions
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Superintendent Joseph Curtis insists that the district's $200,000 budget cut will not reduce additional positions.
"We all feel strongly, and I'm sure that the [School Committee] does as well, that we will not reduce any additional staff members as a result of that $200,000 reduction," he said on Wednesday.
The day before, a $216 million city budget was passed that included a last-minute reduction to the schools. During Tuesday's City Council meeting, an uprising of staff members worried that it would cut additional positions was attributed to misinformation.
Curtis reported that the district would be comfortable bringing forward proposals for non-staff member cuts on June 26, sending out the information to committee member before hands.
Mayor Peter Marchetti said they be celebrating because $200,000 of the $82 million school budget is not a great difference from what was put forward. He cut $400,000 from the original proposal before bringing it to the council.
"I think we need to take a step back and respect the entire process and respect the fact that at the end of the day, we got a budget that was very close to what we were looking for," he said.
Committee member Diana Belair was "dismayed" by the council's action to cut additional monies from an already reduced budget.
The town needs to address safety issues within the police station, including plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and cell damage.
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The Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant picnic tables have been installed at Greenridge, Pinegrove and Chamberland parks and at the library. click for more
The Board of Health has ordered that a formal plan be in place to address the dilapidated condition of the house at 27 Mountain View Terrace. click for more
The new website improves the accessibility to forms, permits, and public records, including meeting agendas, minutes, warrants, election results and bylaws, and allows for easier updating of news and information.
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