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Hillard Throws One-Hitter for Babe Ruth Team

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WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Cam Hillard struck out six and allowed just one hit Saturday to lead the Pittsfield Babe Ruth 16-year-old All-Stars to a 4-0 win over Westfield in the opener of the Western Massachusetts State Tournament at Bullens Field.
 
Hillard walked no one in the complete-game win.
 
He got all the run support he needed in a three-run third inning.
 
Brendan Socie started the rally with a leadoff single to left.
 
With two out and two on, Jackson Almeida singled to right to drive in the game's first run.
 
Luke Ferguson then singled ahead of Connor Paronto, who doubled to left to drive in a pair and make it 3-0.
 
Socie went 2-for-3 with a double, and Almeida was 2-for-3 in the win.
 
Pittsfield continues the tournament on Tuesday at home against the Southern Berkshire Knights at Deming Park.
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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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