Senate Candidate Rikleen to Speak to Lenox Dems

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LENOX, Mass. — The Lenox Town Democratic Committee will hear from U.S. Senate candidate Alex Rikleen at its meeting Wednesday. 
 
The meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Church on the Hill Annex, 55 Main St., in the parlor room. It is open to all Democrats. 
 
Rikleen, of Acton, was the first to launch a primary challenge against Edward Markey, who is running for third term. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton recently announced his intent to run as well. 
 
The committee will also discuss Jeromie Whalen, who running against Richie Neal for his congressional seat, and the two Board of Selectmen seats up in May 2026. A report will be given on the Democratic convention held in September. 
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Lanesborough Seeks State Support for Berkshire Mall Redevelopment

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy.
 
On Tuesday, the Select Board approved a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to request their support for the vacant mall's redevelopment by helping advance transfer of the Route 7/Route 8 connector and considering funding for essential infrastructure.
 
"We have held discussions with the Baker Hill Road District … which will take the necessary steps to formally petition the commonwealth to take over ownership of the Route 7, Route 8 connector…Your continued support in facilitating this transfer is greatly appreciated," the letter says. 
 
Berkshire Mall owner JMJ RE Holdings has said the potential sale and redevelopment of the mall hinges on dissolving the Baker Hill Road District, a condition of the agreement that, if unmet, would render the contract null and void.
 
As a result, the mall will continue to deteriorate and the litigation will proceed forward, said Tim Grogan, of JMJ. 
 
Vera Farrell, the liaison to the Baker Hill Road District, said the district board had discussed at one of its most recent meetings that the connector road could be transferred directly to the state, rather than returned to the town; Barrett and Mark were also a part of the discussion.
 
"The representatives recommended that as an option, that it could transfer the connector road directly to the state, as opposed to deeding it back to the town to dispense it. If we get to that point, that would be a better option to do it that way," Farrell said. 
 
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