Attorney Elisabeth C. Goodman Joins Donovan O'Connor and Dodig

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP announced that Atty. Elisabeth C. Goodman has joined the firm.
 
Goodman comes to the firm after many years of successful practice in the Commonwealth, primarily in Berkshire County.
 
She was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1984 and is also admitted in the District of Columbia. She has extensive experience in real estate, zoning, and environmental law and represents a wide variety of clients including developers with innovative re-use projects, homeowners who organized into special government districts, emerging and start up companies, non-profit organizations, and environmental engineering firms. 
 
Goodman reviews and advises on complex transactions, including public financing and large-scale public construction projects. In addition to that work. Goodman is also experienced in estate planning and estate administration.
 
In addition to her advocacy for clients, Atty. Goodman is active in the community and has served as a board member of a number of local nonprofit organizations including, but by no means limited to, the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, Greylock A Better Chance, Inc., and Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity. Goodman is presently the elected Town Moderator for Williamstown.
 
Marnie A. Clough, the current Managing Partner at the firm commented:
 
"Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP is fortunate to have an attorney of Beth's caliber and background join the firm. Her knowledge and love of our area, coupled with her expertise in real estate, including zoning and environmental issues, as well as in estate planning and administration, is truly unique. We are excited to have her as part of our team."
 
Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP is the region's oldest and largest law firm with offices in North Adams, Pittsfield, and Springfield, Massachusetts as well as in Bennington, Vermont and offers a wide range of legal services to meet the needs of the community.
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Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

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. 
 
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