Author David Guenette to Discuss Climate Change in Berkshire County

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. Mass. — Author David Guenette, writer of "The Steep Climes Quartet," a literary climate fiction series, will discuss the impact of climate change on daily life in Berkshire County at three upcoming events. 
 
The presentations will explore the costs of climate change at the household level and the challenges of transitioning to clean energy. Guenette will use excerpts from his novels, "Kill Well" (2026 setting) and "Dear Josephine" (2029 setting), to illustrate key points. He will also reference his forthcoming Book Three, "Over Brooklyn Hills" (2035 setting, expected December 2025 publication), and the final book in the series, "Farm to Me" (2049 setting, expected 2026 publication). 
 
The schedule of events is as follows:
  • Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m. at Griswold Memorial Library, 12 Main Rd., Colrain, MA.
  • Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m. at Berkshire Athenaeum, One Wendall Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201.   
  • Friday, May 23, 2025, 4:00 p.m. at Mason Library, 231 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.   
 
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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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