Letter: Open Letter to Mayor Macksey on Notchview Logging

To the Editor:

Dear Mayor Jennifer Macksey,

Almost two months ago I learned about the logging project that was going to use cancer-causing chemicals near our drinking water supply. Hearing this news terrified me as I lost my father to cancer. At the Sept. 12 meeting, we were told chemicals would not be used; however, when we questioned about future use during this 10-year plan, Mass Audubon and NEFF would not give us a definite answer. Management and operation plans are two different things; they can come back at any point during the next 10 years and use chemicals.

Even after your public apology, you still have not reached out to answer my questions so I will address them here in hopes they will finally be answered.

1. The original plan called for the use of chemicals, for two years you knew this yet stayed quiet. Why? You stood in front of your residents sharing a proclamation of September with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This took place right before our meeting, so again, how can you be OK with this plan?

Michaela Lapointe
North Adams, Mass. 

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.