Cheshire Mulls Marijuana Consumption Bylaw

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen is considering a bylaw covering the public consumption of cannabis. 

Police Officer Aaron Goodell brought this to the town administrator after receiving an increase of calls about juveniles in possession of marijuana vapes at Hoosac Valley High School.

Chair Shawn McGrath wondered at last week's meeting if they should consider adding an alcohol bylaw or incorporate both substances into one bylaw. 

The board had an initial draft based on Dalton's bylaws regarding public consumption.

The draft mentioned any public consumption of marijuana was prohibited with a penalty of $300 for each offense and the bylaw may be enforced through any lawful means.

The board members had many questions and suggested that they table the discussion until Goodell could attend a meeting to answer their questions.

In other business, the board was informed that the free cash certifications would bring in $677,991 from the general fund, $204,394 from the Water Enterprise Fund, and $32,071 from the Transfer Station Enterprise Fund.

Town Administrator Jennifer Morse also brought up the state Department of Transportation's Municipal Pavement Program. The state is planning to improve Route 116 in Cheshire and Savoy in fiscal 2028. Morse said the town will not be responsible for the project.


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Adams Town Meeting to Vote Spending Articles Monday

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — Town meeting members will decide on 25 warrant articles on Monday, June 22, at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Building, including authorization for a number of spending articles that make up a budget approximately $21 million. 
 
Of that amount the town is requesting, in Article 5, an operations budget of $10,650,057, of which $8,074,370 is made up of personnel and $2,642,107 for operating expenses. 
 
This budget has previously been described as a level-funded services budget, with an increase of  $513,821 for personnel and $66,420 for expenses. 
 
However, officials have emphasized that the number of vacant positions in town has created a lot of unknowns but adjustments can be made during a special town meeting when more information is available. 
 
The positions have been conservatively budgeted at previous rates, maintaining each staff member's prior step or grade, as if the roles were filled full time. 
 
Health insurance for these roles have also been budgeted assuming the new personnel picks the family plan, ensuring the funds are available.
 
The Hoosac Valley Regional School District is requesting $6,814,145 for the town's assessment (Article 10). Cheshire has passed its portion of the budget. 
 
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