Pittsfield: Wild Acres Fishing Derby

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield Conservation Commission has announced that they and Lyon Aviation will sponsor a free Fishing Derby for youth 14 and under Saturday, May 11 at the Wild Acres Conservation Area (rain or shine).
 
Volunteer support will be provided by the Onota Fishing Club to assist with dressing fish, providing fishing tips and techniques, baiting, etc. The derby will begin at 8:00 a.m. and last until 12:30 p.m. 
 
Trophies will be awarded at 12:00 p.m. to those who catch the largest fish (length & weight). Bait will be provided.
 
The first 100 children will receive a free food voucher. Food will also be available for purchase from Ozzie's Steak & Eggs.
 
The accessible trail down to the pond is open. Wild Acres Conservation Area is located off of South Mountain Road in Pittsfield.
 
For more information, contact Maddy Brown, Recreation & Special Events Coordinator, at (413)499-9371.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

CBRSD Makes Cuts to Lower Town Assessments

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — School officials say reductions in the Central Berkshire Regional School District's budget will be felt, but remain optimistic that it will not prevent them from being "the best regional district in the state."
 
Throughout the budgeting season, officials said they strived to keep the seven member towns informed amid contractual increases outside their control and concerns with a state aid funding formula described as "remarkably wrong."
 
The initial budget was about a 9 percent increase, but with "strategic reductions" the district was able to cut that down to 2.99 percent, bringing the total budget to $37,740,005. 
 
"This was no small feat," said Paul Farella, district's Finance Committee chair.
 
In earlier budget drafts, towns voiced concerns over significantly higher assessments, which ranged from approximately 7 to 15 percent, compared to prior years, when it was about 2 to 7 percent. 
 
With the revised budget, projected net town assessments are: 
  • Becket for $2,859,205, an increase of 5.49 percent
  • Cummington for $670,246, an increase of 5.11 percent 
  • Dalton for $10,106,445, an increase of 5.86 percent
  • Hinsdale for $3,277,495, an increase of 10.54 percent 
  • Peru for $1,083,751, an increase of 6.11 percent 
  • Washington for $826,774, an increase of 6.64 percent
  • Windsor for $995,438, an increase of 9.37 percent
"[The cuts] will be felt, but we believe that it is what is necessary for the time being to not overburden our towns while still being able to provide a quality education to our community," Farella said. 
 
Delivering high-quality education while responsibly managing public funds in a district, which like many rural areas, faces financial constraints is a duty Superintendent Michael Henault said he takes very seriously.
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