Shelburne employees can anticipate 3% raise in FY26

SHELBURNE — As department heads begin preparing their budgets for fiscal year 2026, town employees can anticipate a salary increase of 3%. The Selectboard has issued its budget directive, telling department heads to keep budgets reasonable while maintaining competitive rates.

At a Selectboard meeting last week, board members were joined by the Finance Committee for early discussions about next fiscal year’s budget. Regarding wages for town employees, the Selectboard agreed to adopt the Finance Committee’s recommendation of a 3% increase.

“We’ve tried to move away from cost-of-living increases,” Town Administrator Terry Narkewicz said. “It’s more about staying competitive with our wages.”

The town budget is still in development, and will ultimately be approved by voters at Annual Town Meeting.

Sen. Mark’s staff holding office hours

BUCKLAND — State Sen. Paul Mark’s staff will hold office hours on Tuesdays, Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, at Buckland Town Hall, located at 17 State St. The Jan. 14 session will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and the Jan. 28 session will be held from 9 to 11 a.m.

Residents of any of the 57 municipalities in the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin and Hampshire District are encouraged to share ideas on current or potential state legislation, or to ask for assistance with issues involving any state agency. Appointments are not required.

Annual liquor and car dealer licenses renewed

CHARLEMONT — All businesses that were seeking to renew their liquor and car dealer licenses have received approval from the Selectboard.

Class II used auto licenses and Class III salvage yard licenses were granted to Matt’s Automotive, Rae Leasing LLC, Frank’s Auto Sales, Stagecoach Auto Repair and Jeffrey A. Sparda. Liquor licenses were granted to A.L. Avery GS LLC, Berkshire East Ski Resort, Berkshire Pizzeria, Crab Apple Whitewater, Cold River Inc., Dirt Church and Sonivya Inc.

The only liquor license that was not renewed was for the Warfield House Inn, which was sold in October to Jen and Jeff Neilsen to be transformed into the Hinata Retreat.

Jan. 22: Contemplate death through poetry at Belding Memorial Library

ASHFIELD — Residents are invited to contemplate death through poetry with poet and author Arianna Alexsandra Collins, as well as share either original work or poems written by others that they resonate with, at Belding Memorial Library.

The event will be held at the library on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Refreshments, including wine and tea, will be served.

The event is free to attend, but guests are encouraged to reserve their seat in advance. Register by contacting the library at bmlashfield@gmail.com or 413-628-4414.

Volunteers sought for student retention working group

BUCKLAND — The Mohawk Trail Regional School District School Committee wants to hear from the community about issues impacting student retention.

The School Committee is seeking volunteers to participate in a new working group to discuss the reasons why students leave the district, ascertain what can be done to keep students at Mohawk Trail and develop a student retention plan.

Two interest sessions will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 7, one at 2 p.m. and one at 7 p.m., at Mohawk Trail Regional School. Parents and community members will learn about what the work will entail and discuss a possible schedule for the working group.

For more information, contact School Committee member Rachel Wang at rwang@mtrsd.org.