Your Robin Hood Radio Tri-State Forecast
THURS – PARTLY SUNNY – MID 70S
FRI – SUN AND SOME CLOUDS – LOWER 80S
SAT – PARTLY SUNNY – LOWER 80S
Kent finance board OKs $13.7 million budget plan
Kent finance board OKs $13.7 million budget plan
KENT – Local residents raised a few issues during a hearing Friday evening on the proposed $13.7 million budget for 2023-24, but the Board of Finance did not make any changes to expenses. The plan carries a 4.6% increase over current spending.
Questions were raised about the selectmen’s choice to add funds in the police protection line for additional overtime money for state police, but then cut $16,000 from the line when the finance board asked for up to $90,000 in reductions to the operating budget. Another topic that was raised was the Park and Recreation Department’s proposal for next year to take two part-time positions and make them one position. This would merge the After School Program director with the Camp Kent director position.
The hearing was hybrid with 21 people online and 25 people attending in person. After the hearing was closed, the finance board moved back into its special meeting.
Stockbridge candidates to debate issues at a forum on Saturday
STOCKBRIDGE — Candidates for contested races in the May 16 local election will debate the issues at a campaign forum on Saturday.
The event, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Central Berkshire County, will be held in the gymnasium of the Town Offices, 50 Main St., at 10 a.m.
Former Select Board member Roxanne McCaffrey is challenging the current Select Board chairman, Patrick White, who is seeking reelection for a second three-year term.
When McCaffrey was a candidate for a second term three years ago, she was narrowly defeated by Jamie Minacci. The outcome was so close that McCaffrey sought a recount, which did not alter the outcome.
Minacci won 238 to 233, a one-vote swing from the election night tally, which had shown her winning, 239-232. Turnout was 29 percent.
Also participating in Saturday’s forum will be candidates for the parks and recreation commissioner, Joanne Lenski and Michael Nathan.
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The discussion will be moderated by Jennifer Howlett of the Williamstown League of Women Voters.
Questions for the candidates may be emailed to BerkshireLWV@gmail.com.
Voting on Election Day, May 16, is in the Senior Center on the ground floor of the Town Offices from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The town currently has 1,676 registered voters.
Vote by mail and absentee ballot by mail applications must be received by at 5 p.m. May 10.
Two Salisbury couples buy Canaan’s Colonial Theatre
The recent announcement of the sale of the Colonial Theatre was a scene stealer, resulting in widespread enthusiasm and anticipation throughout the community.
The beloved landmark that evokes fond memories for legions of people – even a visit from actor Robert Redford – was built in 1923, causing its buyers to believe their centennial purchase is a sign of good things to come.
Salisbury residents Stacey and David Fiorillo, and Lenore and Marc Mallett are now the proud owners, purchasing the theater at 27 Railroad St. and an adjoining lot from Ben Wohlfert for $325,000.
Excited to give a tour of the theater, which they were amazed to find in such good condition, the four spoke of their desire to make it a focal point.
“This is a great opportunity for us to be part of the community and give back,” David Fiorillo said.
Lenore Mallett said, “We want it to be a place for everyone to come to, especially kids.”
The main floor houses the stage and screen, as well as rows of seats and tables where at one time theatergoers could sit and eat a meal while watching a movie. Art deco designs fill the space. Upstairs, the small projection room allows a sweeping view of the theater and a balcony will no doubt remind some visitors of where they sneaked their first kisses as teenagers.
The new owners of the Colonial Theatre in Canaan are, from left, Marc and Lenore Mallett, and Stacey and David Fiorillo. Ruth Epstein Republican-American
Also on the second floor is a large ballroom, which will provide opportunities for large dances, dinners, school functions and meetings.
The Fiorillos and Malletts all spoke of the many changes now taking place in the heart of Canaan, with several buildings being upgraded and some new businesses opening. They said they are pleased to be part of the renaissance.
“We’re sensitive to how proud Canaan is,” Marc Mallett said, “and want to help give its pride back.”
$6B Hudson River power project to move forward after tests show no contamination
A $6 billion project to transport renewable energy from Canada to New York City through high voltage cables dug into the floor of the Hudson River is moving forward after testing showed the installment would not contaminate municipal water supplies. The Champlain Hudson Power Express project would run hydro power down from Canada along 339 miles of transmission cables, both underwater and underground. The cables would enter the Hudson River just north of the Dutchess County border and continue south into New York City, with the exception of a small stretch of line above ground in Rockland County.
The Hudson River Drinking Water Intermunicipal Council, otherwise known as Hudson 7, was concerned with how installing the cable into the riverbed, which is believed to hold contaminants, may impact drinking water. The issue was over whether contaminants would be kicked up by the plow mechanism used to bury the cable into the riverbed and enter the municipal water intakes.
The group has asked TDI to meet with each of the municipalities to discuss a plan which includes monitoring the water at the intakes, providing an emergency supply of water and deciding on when to shut down the intakes as the jet plow passes by, which may be in August of 2024, said Paul Malmrose, an engineering technical advisor for Hudson 7.
Great Barrington Select Board candidate Ben Elliott says he’ll be tackling Housatonic water, affordable housing and child care
GREAT BARRINGTON — Housatonic resident Ben Elliott knows something about two of the town’s thorny and pressing issues.
The modest Great Barrington house he grew up in is, well, now a $600 a night short-term rental.
He drives an hour each day to take his daughter to child care — the closer ones have waiting lists.
The water his family drinks and bathes in comes from taps served by the embattled Housatonic Water Works Co. The color of the bath water does not often tempt Elliott or his two-year-old daughter to partake.
Thus, Elliott is wading into a two-way race for the board seat held for nearly nine years by Ed Abrahams, and amid a political climate of economic turmoil and a struggle for regular people to stay afloat and find a place to live.
Town elections are Tuesday, May 9. His challenger is Sharon Gregory, a former Finance Committee member and citizen advocate.
Elliott, an editor and copywriter who works remotely — and also enjoys screenwriting — says he is trying to make “the moral case” about water discoloration and safety in Housatonic — all due to an aging system owned by a private company.
Canaan approves state trooper contact
CANAAN – Residents put up their hands to approve a new contract for the resident state trooper’s position by a vote of 37-18.
The cost of the one-year contract will be rising from $128,000 this fiscal year to $158,000 beginning July 1.
Those on both sides of the issue spoke during a special town meeting last week, with some concerned about the high rate of turnover in that position. First Selectman Charles P. Perotti noted in budget talks there had been six officers in the post over the past six years.
Resident Gina Terwilliger asked if the town has any input on how long a resident trooper must stay.
Jeremy Ribadeneyra, who is serving as the interim trooper, said he would like to be named to the job permanently. He said the high turnover rate is not the town’s fault, but many troopers, who are much more junior than in the past, are being promoted to fill the jobs of those retiring. Canaan had 56 arrests, while Salisbury, which is twice the size of Canaan and more populated, had only 18. There were 10 burglaries in Canaan compared with four in Salisbury, and police responded to 61 disturbances compared to 29 in Salisbury.
Jeffrey Epstein’s donations to Bard College never went to Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, college say
GREAT BARRINGTON — In the wake of revelations that Bard College received money and visits from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Bard officials say Epstein’s money never reached the school’s early college off Alford Road.
Nor did Epstein, who had abused young girls, ever visit Simon’s Rock College at Bard in Great Barrington, said a spokesperson writing in response to questions on behalf of Bard President Leon Botstein.
Bard, a private college in New York’s Hudson Valley, had received two unsolicited donations in 2011 totaling $75,000 as well as 66 laptops, said Mark Primoff, associate vice president for communications at Bard, in an emailed response to questions.
“The two unsolicited gifts in 2011 and the fact of the President meeting with Epstein subsequent to them in his capacity as primary fundraiser for the college has been previously reported and took place with full transparency,” Primoff added.
Triplex Cinema purchase deal breaks down at the ‘eleventh hour.’ What’s next for the Great Barrington movie theater?
A deal between the owner of The Triplex Cinema and a company that wants to buy and redevelop the movie theater broke down at the last minute over money.
Both Cinema Lab CEO Luke Parker Bowles and Triplex owner Richard Stanley say the other changed their conditions last week just before the agreement was to be struck.
“At the eleventh hour they came to me and asked me to underwrite one year of free rent, which is $100,000,” Stanley said, noting that, from his perspective, this essentially reduces the purchase price by that amount. “That’s why the deal went south.” Stanley does have another suitor, however — a community group called “Save the Triplex” that is looking to buy it and run it as a nonprofit in the likeness of movie houses in Millerton, N.Y., and Williamstown. The nonprofit is called Triplex Cinema Inc.
“It’s very promising,” he said of that possibility.
Jacob’s Pillow releases its plans for a new $30 million Doris Duke Theatre on its Becket campus
BECKET — The price tag is formidable for the new, year-round Doris Duke Theatre to be constructed at Jacob’s Pillow: $30 million.
$27 million already has been raised toward the total goal of $35 million, including $5 million for an endowment, and building plans are in hand to replace the original theater destroyed by fire in November 2020.
“In replacing what was lost while looking to the future, Jacob’s Pillow seeks to create a future-forward dance theater as it looks ahead to its second century,” according to a news release from the dance festival’s leaders. Preliminary plans were announced last November. The reimagined theater, expected to open in summer 2025, will be more than double the size of the original playhouse — about 20,000 square feet, compared to the 8,500 footprint. The theater will seat up to 230 patrons in the main performance space.
Title: Spring Migration Bird Tours
When: Saturdays (see schedule below) 7:00-8:30am & 8:45-10:15am
Location: Miles Wildlife Sanctuary
Join Sharon Audubon Naturalist, Bethany Sheffer, and George Wallace of the American Bird Conservancy
on a guided bird tour around Miles Wildlife Sanctuary where you’ll learn how to use binoculars (if you
haven’t used them before), learn which features on birds to begin observing, and interesting
information about observed species and their conservation needs. Everyone is welcome, regardless of
experience!
Tours are offered at two times in the morning and welcome participants of all levels and experience.
Fee: $10/adult, $5/child
Suitable for ages 8+
Pre-registration available, but cash or check payments are also accepted on-site.
o Registration link: https://sharon.audubon.org/events
Call 860-364-0520 or email Bethany at Bethany.sheffer@audubon.org with questions.
REGION ON BUDGET PASSES IN EVERY TOWN AND IS APPRONED
FRIDAY MAY 12TH- 7 PM
THE INDIAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL PRESENTS A SPRING CELEBRATION OF MUSIC
WITH THE HEVREH ENSEMBLE
https://www.hevrehensemble.com/
ORIGINAL WORLD CHAMBER MUSIC BY JEFF ADLER
AND A SPECIAL COMPOSITION BY IMS STUDENT TIFFANY ZHAO
On Friday, May 12 th at 7:00 PM, The Indian Mountain School located at 211 Indian
Mountain Road in Lakeville, CT, will present a special spring celebration concert
featuring the Hevreh Ensemble. The group features original composition by group
member and composer Jeff Adler that combines works with classical, jazz and world
music elements. The unique and varied instrumentation includes the innovative use of
Native American flutes along with oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet and piano.
Group member, Judith Dansker is currently Director of Classical Music Studies for the
Indian Mountain School.
The concert will also feature a new composition by IMS student Tiffany Zhao and she
will be joining the group to play flute for this piece.
The Sharon Historical Society & Museum Announces Call for Works “A Room of One’s Own”
SHARON, CT: The Sharon Historical Society & Museum is pleased to announce an open call seeking entries for its upcoming show in Gallery SHS, “A Room of One’s Own”, a juried in-person exhibition and sale running from May 13 through July 7, 2023.
Gallery SHS invites artists to submit for consideration original works in any medium (e.g. Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Photography, Pastel, Ink, Graphite, Drawing, Print, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Assemblage, Fabric, Stone, Clay, Metal, Digital). Judge or Judges to be announced. Independence, creativity, free-expression, social justice: whether your inspiration is Virginia Woolf or your own vision of a safe and creative space, show us what A Room of One’s Own means to you.
There is a non-refundable entry fee of $25.00 for up to two (2) works of art, $10.00 for each additional submission. The show’s Judge will select the art to be exhibited and award cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 to three pieces. In addition, guests who view the exhibition in person or on the SHS website will have the opportunity to select their favorite work of art which will receive the “SHS Crowd Pleaser” award at the end of the show. Submissions must be
delivered on Saturday, May 6, between 9 and 11 am. Please provide high quality images of your artwork, especially if your work is behind glass. The Prospectus, Entry Forms and detailed Terms and Conditions are available on the Sharon Historical Society & Museum’s web site,
sharonhist.org, or can be picked up at the SHS during regular hours.
Bard Conservatory of Music Presents Orchestra Concert with World-Renowned Conductor and Composer Tan Dun on May 13
ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY —The Bard Conservatory Orchestra presents a concert celebrating works by Bedřich Smetana (1824-84), Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Grigoraș Dinicu (1889-1949), Tōru Takemitsu (1930-96), and Benjamin Britten (1913-76). Conducted by Tan Dun, world-renowned conductor and composer, the program will feature Smetana’s Vltava (The Moldau), No. 2,from Má Vlast (My Country); Debussy’s Rhapsody for Saxophone and Orchestra with saxophone player Eric Zheng ’24; and Dinicu’s Ciocârlia (The Lark)with violinist Yida An ’24. Following an intermission, it continues with Takemitsu’s I Hear the Water Dreaming with flautist Jillian Reed ’21; and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, Op. 33a from the opera Peter Grimes. The performance will be held on Saturday, May 13, at 8 pm in the Fisher Center’s Sosnoff Theater. To reserve tickets, visit fisher center.bard.edu, or call 845-758-7900 (Mon-Fri 10 am-5 pm).
Community garden plots open
The Hewat Community Garden, located at 30 Salmon Kill Road in Salisbury, has plots available for interested gardeners. If you would like to grow your own vegetables and flowers in a community garden space, please contact Patrice McGrath at 860-435-5187. All are welcome
and to have a full bar and a “robust, Southern Italian focused wine list.”
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