 Pittsfield Subcommittee Supports Tax Incentive for St. Joe's ProjectIn 2017, the 120-year-old school ceased operations. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it sheltered people without homes before The Pearl, a 40-bed downtown shelter, was finished a few years ago.  North Adams Draft Budget Includes Full-Time Tourism DirectorThe committee has not yet seen a total budget for FY27 but Mayor Jennifer Macksey said she anticipated bringing that figure to the committee next meeting. North Adams School, Finance Committee Endorse $22M School BudgetThe Finance Committee on Wednesday recommended a fiscal 2027 spending plan of $22 million that had been approved by the School Committee on Tuesday. Williamstown Finance Committee Finalizes Fiscal Year 2027 Budget ProposalThe tax bill of a median-priced single family home will go up by 8.45 percent in the year that begins July 1 under a spending plan approved by the Finance Committee on Wednesday night. Williamstown Fin Comm Sets Water, Sewer HikesThat water rate increase and another 5 percent hike in FY28, in conjunction with use of reserves from the water department, will enable the town to address two capital projects — the replacement of a well and the replacement of customers' water meters — without needing to borrow for either project. Dalton Finance Talks AuditDuring its meeting on Wednesday, Chair William Drosehn told the board that the town's bylaw permits the Finance Committee to call for an audit and witnesses if irregularities are discovered. Williamstown Finance Committee Begins FY27 Budget ReviewTown meeting will have the levy capacity to approve the FY27 budget as drafted and presented by the town manager on Wednesday, partly because the spending plan for the year that begins on July 1 includes just one noteworthy increase in discretionary municipal spending. Dalton Finance to Discuss Budget Freeze, CBRSD WednesdayThe Finance Committee will be reviewing whether a budget freeze is necessary, considering ongoing financial concerns. Dalton Finance Looks to Form Contracts SubcommitteeThe Finance Committee wants to create a subcommittee to review contracts presented to the town. Williamstown Fin Comm Discusses Soaring Health Insurance CostAfter a second straight year of hefty increases in the cost of health insurance under the Berkshire Health Group umbrella, the Williamstown Finance Committee is discussing the need for cost containment for the joint insurance purchase group. North Adams Finance Begins Review of Fiscal 2026 BudgetThe Finance Committee began its review of the proposed $52 million fiscal 2026 budget on Wednesday. Dalton Police Department Budget Fails at FinanceThe department proposed a budget of $1,679,488, a $144,232 or 9.39 percent, increase mainly caused by salary increases. Non-Profit Funding Will Be Issue for Williamstown Finance CommitteeHistorically, town meeting voters have supported allocations to several different non-profits with allotments from the town’s free cash reserves. Williamstown Finance Sees Pressure on Property Tax BillsA stagnant local economy promises to put increasing upward pressure on local tax bills.  Lanesborough FinCom Puts Newcomers in ChargeThe Finance Committee held its first meeting of the fiscal year and elected two newcomers as its leaders. Dalton Finance Makes Interdepartmental, Reserve Fund TransfersThe Finance Committee made a number of interdepartmental and reserve fund transfers during its meeting last week. |
