Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study Information Meeting

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The state Department of Transportation will hold a virtual public information meeting for the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study on Thursday, March 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.    

The study is examining the potential benefits, costs, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from North Adams to Greenfield and Boston, with the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive option for travel along this corridor.   

At this meeting, the study team will share an overview of the study's background, review the study alternatives, outline issues and opportunities to consider, present draft recommended next steps and draft implementation plan, and garner feedback. The meeting materials will also be available after the meeting on the study website.  

The meeting information, including the registration link, are currently available on the study website under "Upcoming Events." Once registered, individuals will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with information about joining the webinar.   

Sign up to receive updates on the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study here. More information here.   

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
07:25AM / Sunday, March 15, 2026

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 

 

The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.

 

"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.

 

A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 

 

Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 

 

They will submit those with a school picture to the governor.