Heather Bellow

1 week ago | berkshireeagle.com | Heather Bellow

SHEFFIELD — Despite some questions about a busing contract, voters this week narrowly approved the operating and transportation budget for Southern Berkshire Regional schools. In an 87 to 81 vote at annual town meeting on Monday, residents approved the budget amid concerns about the district's handling of the bus contract, which remains under legal review. It was the only point of friction at the meeting, held in Mount Everett Regional High School’s auditorium.

1 week ago | berkshireeagle.com | Heather Bellow

EGREMONT — Voters this week approved spending $130,000 to hire full-time firefighters to ensure both safety and “insurability” in their community. Residents agreed at the annual town meeting on Tuesday night that the town should pay $65,000 each for the salaries of two new full-time responder positions in the fire department. The move is a step toward establishing a professional fire department — something Monterey voters also have chosen to pursue.

1 week ago | berkshireeagle.com | Heather Bellow

EGREMONT — Voters in yet another Berkshire town have decided it is worth it to hire full-time firefighters, and begin working toward a professional fire department to ensure both safety and “insurability.”Residents agreed at the annual Town Meeting on Tuesday night that the town should pay $65,000 each for the salaries of two new full-time responder positions in the fire department. And voters also raised the fire chief pay from $23,312 to $100,000 per year, moving the position to full time.

1 week ago | berkshireeagle.com | Heather Bellow

GREAT BARRINGTON — Federal agents arrested two men this morning at the Barrington House apartments as onlookers questioned, jeered or cheered on the officers. The arrests, made by what appeared to be U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, were videotaped by bystanders gathered in the Triplex Cinema parking lot. Both men, one of whom works at Fiesta Latina Mexican restaurant in the Barrington House, were taken and placed in a van.

1 week ago | berkshireeagle.com | Heather Bellow

MONTEREY — Residents have declared that they do not want to live in a rural town where they’ll be waiting a half hour for the ambulance or fire truck to arrive after they dial 911. At Saturday's annual town meeting, they laid the foundation for a future of robust fire and emergency services. Voters also approved a fiscal 2026 operating budget of $5,730,962 — a 5.43 percent increase over this year’s budget. This includes a cost of living wage raises of 3 percent for all paid employees and officials.