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 Man Sentenced to State, Federal Prison for Child Rape

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams man pleaded guilty on Friday in Berkshire Superior Court to multiple counts of aggravated rape of a child and aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. 
 
Brian Warner, 39, was sentenced by Judge Michael K. Callan to 25 to 28 years in state prison. 
 
The defendant pleaded guilty to the following:
  • Two counts of rape of a child with force
  • One count of aggravated rape of a child
  • Two counts of rape of a child, aggravated, five-year age difference
  • Four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14
  • Fourteen counts of aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14
  • Nine counts of posing a child in the nude
  • Two counts of possession of child sexual abuse material
Callan attributed the lengthy sentencing to the egregious nature of the defendant's crime. In his sentencing memo, the judge wrote, "In fashioning this sentence I have also considered the Sentencing Guidelines, which were established by a Sentencing Commission created by our Legislature and consisting of prosecutors, defense counsel, public safety and correctional officials, and victim-witness advocates. 
 
"While not mandatory, these guidelines were designed, among other goals, to promote consistency in the sentencing process in our judicial system. The guidelines utterly fail in some circumstances and this is one of them."
 
Warner produced child sexual abuse material, otherwise known as child pornography. In doing this, the defendant raped and assaulted a child over a period of two years. Law enforcement uncovered hundreds of images produced by Warner.
 
"Justice was served today, but Warner's crimes are deeply disturbing. When a child in our community is harmed, it naturally causes us to reflect on how we can do more to protect our children. To the survivor and their [singular] family, this outcome cannot undo the trauma you endured; however, I hope it offers some comfort in knowing that your abuser has been held accountable under the law," stated District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. 
 
Chief of the Child Abuse Unit Andrew Giarolo, an assistant district attorney, represented the commonwealth and Ian Benoit the victim witness advocate on behalf of the DA's Office. The Adams Police Department led the investigation with support from the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit's digital evidence lab.  
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