Great Barrington Candidates Forum – April 28, 2026

On April 28, 2026, the town of Great Barrington held a candidates forum organized by the Republican and Democratic Town Committees and Eileen Mooney's newsletter. No agenda or minutes were provided, so this summary is based solely on the raw transcript. Eleven candidates introduced themselves, and the Finance Committee received extended questioning because it was the only contested race. The moderator set rules: three-minute introductions, 90-second answers, a pink highlighter warning at 15 seconds, the town warrant as an overtime signal, and a 30-second rebuttal if a candidate was named. The forum was recorded for broadcast on CTSB.

Candidate Introductions

• Michael Weiss, running for re-election as moderator, said he has served for 10 years and believes meetings have been run efficiently and positively. Asked about handling warrant articles, he said he usually lists items individually but a general objection can be raised at the start; he also noted a substitute moderator will preside over the last two residential exemption articles.
• Dr. Ruby Chang, running for the Board of Health, said she is a retired pediatrician with more than 40 years of practice and 10 years on the Board. She cited work on Title V, vaccinations, communicable diseases, hauler regulations, and dark sky regulations, and noted Great Barrington's hauling costs are about $82,000 a year, with each haul costing about $600.
• Donna Jacobs, library trustee candidate, highlighted her social work and psychoanalytic training, her affection for both Great Barrington and Housatonic, and her dual involvement with the library trustees and the Great Barrington Library Fund.
• Sharon Shalow, incumbent library trustee candidate, said she has served a two-year term and chaired the board. She stressed the importance of libraries as trusted sources of information in an era of misinformation.
• Michelle Costa Luber, Finance Committee candidate, said she was born and raised in Great Barrington, holds an MPA from Westfield State, previously served on the Finance Committee, and was appointed last year to fill a vacancy. She emphasized openness, transparency, accountability, and ethics.
• Rayo Matsuzaki, Finance Committee candidate, said he is a political science professor at Trinity College with a PhD from MIT and a background in forensic data analysis. He said listening to the town budget process convinced him to run.
• Olivia Ramsey, Finance Committee candidate, said her family moved from New York City in September, she has worked in education for 25 years, runs preschools and a tutoring business, and served on the Du Bois Principal Search Committee.
• Jeffrey Rothenberg, Finance Committee candidate for the one-year unexpired term, said he has an MBA, worked at General Electric and Accenture, and is chief development officer at the UMass Amherst Foundation. He said representative democracy carries a duty to give back.
• Jackie Kane, Planning Board candidate, said she has served three years as a Planning Board associate and cannot vote in that role. She cited the Simon's Rock campus overlay district and residential cluster development as important zoning work from last year's town meeting.
• The moderator acknowledged Ben Elliott as the Select Board candidate, but no introduction from him appears in the transcript.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sandy Pantono, an outgoing library trustee, asked Donna Jacobs about potential conflicts of interest from serving on both the library trustees and the Great Barrington Library Fund. Jacobs said she would recuse herself from discussions and votes involving the Library Fund.
• An audience member asked Dr. Ruby Chang whether the Board of Health should be expanded. Chang said the same three members have served together, more members would help cover the workload, and further discussion should involve the town manager.
• Phil Orenstein asked Finance Committee candidates how they would manage the difficult, personal trade-offs inherent in budget decisions.
• Walter Atwood advised Finance Committee candidates to ensure there is a strong association dealing with the Select Board and School Committee, and to get a handle on school choice.
• A resident from 325 North Plain Road said taxes are out of control, the town's credit rating has dropped, and the town should cut expenses such as the $91,000 mausoleum preservation project. The resident cited about $5 million in free cash tied to marijuana-related lawsuit payments, including over $4 million to Theory Wellness, $189,000 to one firm, $315,000 to another, and $118,000 to another. He opposed Proposition 2½ and the residential exemption, asked about Housatonic Water, and said he would tell everyone to vote no on Proposition 2½.
• A resident from 253 Long Pond asked candidates how they would ensure accountability for every dollar spent and how they would use creative initiatives to prevent future financial problems.

Finance Committee Discussion: School Budget

• The moderator noted the Berkshire Hills Regional School District assessment is about $23.8 million and asked how candidates would respond if school spending continues to outpace town revenue growth.
• Rayo Matsuzaki said the school share of about 75% of the town budget is unsustainable. He called for long-term regional agreement negotiations with Stockbridge and West Stockbridge, and for short-term scrutiny of tuition arrangements.
• Michelle Costa Luber said the April 9 joint Finance Committee and Select Board meeting addressed the town's relationship with Berkshire Hills. She noted that school finance committee meetings are now held at 4 p.m., making attendance difficult, and said communication norms between the two bodies are essential.
• Several candidates said they would not be a rubber stamp on the school budget. Olivia Ramsey said she would be comfortable voting no, but only after fully understanding the budget from multiple perspectives. Rayo Matsuzaki also said he would not be afraid to vote no. Jeffrey Rothenberg said a no vote would create a real crisis and would require a great deal to have gone wrong.
• Candidates also emphasized the need to consider both student needs and taxpayer burdens, including retirees on fixed incomes.

Finance Committee Discussion: Ambulance Funding

• The moderator asked about the town's proposed $327,000 ambulance contract and a citizen petition for $490,000 to fund 50% of two new ambulances.
• Candidates described reliable emergency medical services as a top life-safety priority. Several said the negotiated operating amount was reasonable and that a predictable contract with the ambulance vendor is important.
• Michelle Costa Luber noted the Finance Committee and Select Board had not yet taken a final vote. Rayo Matsuzaki said ambulance costs are rising because of broader healthcare and insurance costs, but the town and the ambulance service appear willing to keep negotiating.
• Olivia Ramsey said life safety is always her top budget priority, and she praised the process that brought the cost down while preserving service.

Finance Committee Discussion: Proposition 2½, Taxes, and Revenue

• Michelle Costa Luber said she is not supporting the Proposition 2½ override and also opposes the residential exemption. She said taxpayers are already drowning in taxes, past mistakes should not be blamed on taxpayers, and a one-year debt exclusion could have been used. She urged candidates to remember lower-income residents, including people who cannot afford to shop in Great Barrington.
• Rayo Matsuzaki said the town cannot keep borrowing, free cash has been nearly depleted, and bond ratings matter. He argued the town needs new revenue sources, including tourism and redevelopment, and said if voters approve warrant spending, they have a responsibility to approve the Proposition 2½ override to pay for it. He warned that depleting cash reserves is financially irresponsible.
• One candidate said Proposition 2½ is a reality because fixed costs outpace 2.5%, and the budget has already been reviewed line by line. Another candidate said she needed more research on Proposition 2½ and the residential exemption, and suggested examining tax thresholds, second-homeowners, and tourism revenue.
• Candidates discussed expanding the tax base by attracting businesses. Jeffrey Rothenberg cited Hadley, Massachusetts as a business-friendly model. Rayo Matsuzaki noted Great Barrington has a relatively small commercial tax base and a uniform tax rate. Michelle Costa Luber recalled past car dealerships and said Great Barrington's commercial base is only about 16%, which limits the feasibility of a split tax rate.

Finance Committee Discussion: Accountability and Economic Development

• In response to the accountability question, Michelle Costa Luber said she disagrees that there is nothing to cut, pointing to a $1 million procurement-related set-aside in the budget. She said taxpayers, not town officials, end up paying for mistakes, and finance members must ask uncomfortable questions.
• Olivia Ramsey said accountability requires not stopping until answers are explicit, and then explaining the due diligence process clearly to taxpayers.
• Jeffrey Rothenberg said accountability must be shared by town staff, the Finance Committee, the Select Board, and voters who come to town meeting educated. He also urged the town to pursue state and federal grants and work closely with elected officials.
• Rayo Matsuzaki said transparency is not the same as overwhelming information. He suggested presenting budget information in a more readable way so voters can make informed decisions.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were made; this was a candidates forum.
• Finance Committee candidates agreed on the need for better communication with the Berkshire Hills Regional School District, stronger accountability, and expanded revenue sources.
• Candidates disagreed on Proposition 2½ and the residential exemption, with Michelle Costa Luber opposing both and others expressing conditional support or a need for further research.
• Voters were urged by the moderator to attend the annual town meeting, vote, and enjoy refreshments after the forum.