Letter: Women's Political Caucus Endorses Blackmer, Harpin

To the Editor:

The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus Political Action Committee is a nonpartisan organization that recruits, trains and seeks to elect qualified women to public office. Over the 2019 election cycle, we have proudly announced our endorsements and rolled out support for numerous women running for office across the commonwealth including North Adams City Councilor Marie Harpin and Lisa Hall Blackmer, who are running for City Council in North Adams.

Councilor Marie Harpin, an incumbent, has been a passionate advocate for North Adams growth in the cultural economy along with farming and advanced manufacturing, leading to a diverse economy attracting workers to the area. She grew up in North Adams and is proud to be giving back to the community. Her dedication to the people of North Adams is a vital voice for all.

Lisa Hall Blackmer, a former city councilor, served on the North Adams City Council as president and vice president. She understands the challenges facing North Adams in planning and legislation. As an experienced lawmaker, we think she can work collaboratively to achieve success and bring meaningful growth to the community.

Amy Diamond and Caitlyn Clarke
co-chairmen of the MWPC PAC

Clarksburg OKs $5.1M Budget; Moves CPA Adoption Forward

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
08:44PM / Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Newly elected Moderator Seth Alexander kept the meeting moving. 

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The annual town meeting sped through most of the warrant on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments. 

 

Close to 70 voters at Clarksburg School also moved adoption of the state's Community Preservation Act to the November ballot after a lot of questions in trying to understand the scope of the act. 

 

The town operating budget is $1,767,759, down $113,995 largely because of debt falling off. Major increases include insurance, utilities and supplies; the addition of a full-time laborer in the Department of Public Works and an additional eight hours a week for the accountant.

 

The school budget is at $2,967,609, up $129,192 or 4 percent over this year. Clarksburg's assessment to the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District is $363,220.

 

Approved was delaying the swearing in of new officers until after town meeting; extending the one-year terms of moderator and tree warden to three years beginning with the 2025 election; switching the licensing of dogs beginning in January and enacting a bylaw ordering dog owners to pick up after their pets. This last was amended to include the words "and wheelchair-bound" after the exemption for owners who are blind. 

 

The town more recently established an Agricultural Committee and on Wednesday approved a right-to-farm bylaw to protect agriculture. 

 

Larry Beach of River Road asked why anyone would be against and what the downside would be. Select Board Chair Robert Norcross said neighbors of farmers can complain about smells and livestock like chickens.