Updated Numbers in Greylock School Vote

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The unofficial numbers for the school project debt exclusion vote have ticked up just a tad.  
 
They now stand at 1,450 yes to 1,315 no, a difference of 135 votes. 
 
A handful of provisional ballots are still to be confirmed but not enough to make any difference in the results. 
 
The turnout was 2,766 of the city's 9,872 registered voters, or 28 percent. City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said she was very happy with the numbers, noting the primaries lackluster showing of 12 percent. 
 
Unofficial Results
  YES NO BLANKS TOTAL VOTERS PERCENT
WARD 1 280 336 0 616 2,040 30.20
WARD 2 269 243   513 2,045 25.09
WARD 3 217 187 0 404 1,664 24.28
WARD 4 406 298 0 704 2,107 33.41
WARD 5 278 251 0 529 2,016 26.24
  1,450 1,315 1 2,766 9,872 28.03
The narrow vote hearkens to a similar contentious debate back in 2013 over borrowing for the $30 million Colegrove Park school project. That passed by only 137 votes with 2,645 ballots cast. 
 
This week's vote saw 98 voters coming in to the clerk's office for early voting, compared to 11 in last month's primary. Leonesio said 1,540 ballots were mailed by request with a return of about 69 percent. 
 
There had been questions about signatures and inactive voters. The clerk said some ballots were returned without signatures on the outside envelope, less than one percent, and efforts were made to have these confirmed but some voters did not respond. 
 
Those who did not submit their city census forms so were removed to the "inactive" list in June. They were able to vote Tuesday by confirming their identity at the polls. That table had been quite busy and more staffing is expected for the coming general election. 
 
iBerkshires committed an error in updating on the election by referring to a "recount." This was incorrect and the problem was actually a tape calculator that was acting up, causing the number to be off. Another calculator was put into service and the numbers matched up. iBerkshires regrets the error. 
 
A few "no" voters referenced "irregularities" but Lenoesio said there was nothing out of the ordinary.  
 
The polls were busy and staff were aware of importance of the outcome. 
 
"We were double-checking, triple-checking, ensuring the process was what it needed to be," she said. "The integrity of the election is what matters to us."
 
Voters are encouraged to double-check their registration status online at the secretary of state's website or by contacting the city clerk's office prior to the general election. 
 

Tags: brayton/greylock project,   debt exclusion,   

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North Adams UNO Art Club Extends Into Year-Round Community Program

Staff Reports

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute is expanding the summer program UNO Drop-In Art Club into a weekly, 50-week program for local youth ages 8 to 19, thanks to a new two-year grant from the W.L.S. Spencer Foundation.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 7, the club reopens its doors at the UNO Community Center (157 River St., North Adams) with extended hours every week from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The UNO Art Club first took root in 2022, founded by local volunteers and supported by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbCC) as a safe, welcoming space for kids to explore their creativity. In 2024, nbCC sought new partners to keep the program running and joined forces with the Clark and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

Over the past two summers, staff from all three organizations have guided kids through hands-on projects—from clay sculpture and origami to collage and self-portraiture—often inspired by ongoing exhibitions at the museums. 

Now, with leadership from the Clark, this grant will allow the program to grow, not only with expanded hours and a year-round schedule, but also to support a paid intern to lead the weekly activities.

Additional benefits of the grant: The Clark will provide rides directly from the UNO Community Center so participants can attend major community events, including First Sundays Free and the annual Community Day. Youth will also take field trips to the Clark, MASS MoCA, and neighboring arts venues across the region.

To learn more about the program or get involved: https://nbccoalition.org/uno-drop-in-art-club/ or contact nbCC at (413) 663-7588, Gabby Glasier - gglasier@nbccoalition.org, or Olivia Brandwein - obrandwein@clarkart.edu.

 

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