Town Of Alford

The Town of Alford has retained Mayflower Valuation Ltd. to perform a complete property measure and list, interior and exterior, in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Bureau of Local Assessment requirements. The inspections are to assure data quality for tax purposes. We appreciate your cooperation.
Tammy Blackwell

The Southern Berkshire Regional School District, is composed of five towns ( Alford Egremont, Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield) and is headed by its new Superintendent, Dr. Micheal Singleton. He was recently appointed permanent Superintendent under a contract which extends through June, 2011. Dr. Singleton has spent his 30 year career in public education in positions ranging from classroom teacher, principal, superintendent and more recently the Director of Special Education in Williamstown. Another new addition to the District’s administrative staff is the Principal of the Elementary School, Mr. Thomas McGuire. He joins the District after serving as a classroom teacher for 17 years, a principal in Vermont schools, and a professor of education in Maine. Dr.Singleton and Mr. McGuire join Mr. Glen Devoti, our High School Principal, to form the District’s leadership team. The School Committee is pleased and excited to have these dedicated professionals on staff. A few significant statistics regarding enrollment for 2008 are as follows. Total enrollment was 890 students including 127 students from outside the District who elected to “choice in.” For Alford, there was a total of 18 students in attendance while another 20 Alford children elected to attend private or other public schools outside the District. Enrollment figures for this year become available in October 2009. At present, the District is experiencing an “up tick” in the number of “choice in” students. On the academic front, in 2008 our 10th graders’ outstanding MCAS scores in Biology, English and Mathematics are a source of well deserved pride. Our students placed first in Berkshire County in Biology and second in English and Math. These exams are given every spring and in the future will include History and Social Studies. We commend our students, administrators and teachers for this achievement. Another important change affecting the District involves the School Committee. The 10 School Committee members representing the five towns were for the first time elected by the public in a District-wide election held last November. Each elected member has a four year term. On Tuesday, March l7th, the School Committee unanimously voted to approve a proposed school budget for 2010 amounting to $15,000,000. This budget will be presented for approval by the voters of each town this spring at their annual town meeting. Finally a few words on reorganization. Of the states nearly 400 school districts all but 41 serve fewer than 5000 students. Proponents of reorganization believe that regional partnership will provide opportunities to utilize resources more efficiently through the consolidation of administrative and program services. Berkshire Hills Regional School District and our District are one of twelve communities to receive funding from the Dept. of Ed. to explore a regional partnership.
Linda Silvestri, Alford School Committee Member

The Alford Historical Commission members are Carol Sue Donelan, Mary Poole, Ronney Rosenberg and Cia Elkin. The commission is charged with the gathering of information about old houses and properties in Alford, which we have been doing. We need people to assist us. We are looking for people who have knowledge of old houses in Alford who are willing to talk to us about them, and for anyone who is interested in helping us gather this information, especially anyone who has architectural or historical knowledge of, or interest in, old houses. We also need help in researching old deeds in order to establish correct dates for many houses. If you, or anyone you know, want to help us, please email or call any of us.
Thank you very much: Carol Sue Donelan, Ronney Rosenberg, Mary Poole, Cia Elkin, (413) 528-0988

2008 was a busy year for the Alford Land Trust. We assisted the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in funding acquisition of lands that were added to the 632 acre Alford Spring property already held by the BNRC. Alford Land Trust organized a spring event on invasive plants which included a walk through fields belonging to our Director, Billie Best. The subject generated a lot of interest and a booklet on invasives is at the Alford Library. We thank Billie for hosting this walk. The Annual Town Picnic is now a regular event in Alford. 149 Alfordites and their guests came to the 2008 picnic with wonderful dishes of food for everyone, bought hats, waded in the Green River and generously supported the 50/50. Our Annual Meeting was followed by a lovely, sunny walk on the Green River Rd. farm belonging to John Dunn. We thank him warmly for hosting this. In 2008, the State of Massachusetts reaffirmed its commitment to Open Space preservation when a 5 year bond was renewed, doubling the amount allocated to land conservation to $50 million annually.

SAVE THE DATE of July 11, 2009 for this year’s Annual Town Picnic. Hope to see you there!

Alford seniors are invited to a potluck picnic hosted by the Sheffield Council on Aging on Thursday, June 18th at noon at Barnard Memorial Park off Miller Ave. in Sheffield. The picnic is to honor Grace Zbell, long time Director of the Claire Teague Senior Center in Great Barrington, who will be retiring at the end of June. The Sheffield COA will provide drinks, hamburgers and hot dogs. Participants may bring salads, bean dishes, or whatever specialties they choose. There will be a Pottery Demonstration that starts at 10 am prior to the picnic and lasts approximately 1 ½ hours. Queries may be directed to John Arthur Miller, Director of the Sheffield Senior Center at Dewey Memorial Hall, Telephone 229-7022.
Barbara Whelan, Council on Aging