Letter: Thank You for Supporting 'Get BArT Smart'

To the Editor:

On Saturday, April 6, Berkshire Arts & Technology (BART) Charter Public School hosted our annual "Get BART Smart" fundraiser — and raised $29,769 (net) for the school's college preparatory and extra-curricular programs! Over 110 people attended and participated in our signature team trivia game. A huge "thank you" to all who attended and made it a great evening!

This night would not have been possible without the support of over a hundred local organizations and businesses.

We are extremely thankful to our Salutation Sponsor, Adams Community Bank! Thank you for being the Head of the Class.

Our High Honor Roll sponsors: MountainOne Bank, Aladco Linen Services, Cord Master Engineering, Haddad Auto Group, and Nocher Realty all played an important part in the evening's success.

The list above doesn't include 90-plus additional local businesses that generously donated goods and services to the event for auction items and prizes, or supported the event at the "Sponsor" level.

BART serves over 365 students in Grades 6-12 from all over Berkshire County. Businesses from all corners of the Berkshires helped support our students through their generous sponsorships and donations.

Finally, many thanks to the trustees, faculty, staff, volunteers and others who contributed their time, money, and effort to make this event happen. Their dedication to the BART community, most importantly our students, is truly inspiring.

Sincerely,

Catherine McKeen
Williamstown, Mass. 

McKeen is a member of the school's board of trustees. 

Cheshire Hires Adams Officer as New Police Chief

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:00PM / Friday, August 21, 2026

Matthew Wright shakes hands with board members and Town Administrator Jennifer Morse on Friday after being offered the post. 

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Adams Police Sgt. Matthew Wright has been tapped as Cheshire's next police chief. 

 

The four present board members unanimously voted to hire him after an interview on Friday afternoon held during a special Selectmen's meeting. 

 

Wright was the only finalist for a police chief search that lasted several months. The only public who attended, other than iBerkshires, was interim Police Chief Timothy Garner and Wright's wife. 

 

The board will meet in executive session with Wright for contract negotiations then set an open session to establish a start date. 

 

Board member Scott McWhirt recused himself from the interview as he had worked with Wright in the Adams Police Department prior to his retirement in 2016.

 

Wright highlighted his deep roots in Cheshire, where he was born and raised, being a Hoosac Valley High School graduate and earning an associate degree in criminal justice from Berkshire Community College and later a bachelor's from Westfield State University.

 

Now, he is raising his own family in town, following in his father's footsteps by giving back to the community by being a volunteer coach and participates in local festivities.