Fund established to help reforest Luce Road area

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WILLIAMSTOWN – Friends of the east Williamstown neighborhood at the First Congregational Church of Williamstown announce the establishment of the ENT (Encouraging Neighborhood Trees) Fund to help reforest the Luce Road area. The acronym ENT was chosen in honor of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Ents, introduced in “The Two Towers,” the second book in his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Ents, also known as the Shepherds of the Trees, are an ancient and long-lived race of creatures that resemble deep-rooted trees while they sleep and tree-like beings when awake. The Reverend Carrie Bail, pastor of First Church, has started the ENT Fund with a gift from her discretionary fund. A resident of Luce Road, Bail’s property has not been affected by the recent tree-cutting mandated by the expansion of Harriman-West Airport in North Adams, but she has witnessed the destruction of the local eco-system and the natural beauty of the neighborhood. A desire to create a way for concerned citizens to take action led to the creation of the ENT fund, which is non-sectarian and open to all. Williamstown Selectman Jane Allen, who is also a Luce Road resident, was pleased to hear of the establishment of the fund and intends to contribute. She had earlier expressed interest publicly in creating such a fund, and is delighted that the church has taken the lead. Members of the Habitat Crew, a service group for high school students sponsored by the First Congregational Church, will work with the ENT Fund and east Williamstown residents to gather expert advice and assist residents in creating individual household plans for replanting and landscaping. They will assist with the actual planting of trees and dedication ceremonies when the time comes. For more information or to get involved with the Habitat Crew call Beth Davis 413-458-4728. In-kind donations of plants from a local family-owned tree farm and landscaping services from another local business have already been secured. All trees planted will be species that do not grow higher than the airport’s height restrictions. Checks can be made out to the First Congregational Church with the words ENT Fund on the memo line, and can be dropped off at the church office weekdays from 9 am-3:30 pm, or mailed to the FCC, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, MA 01267-2639. All funds collected will go directly towards purchasing trees or planting and landscaping costs. For more information please call or e-mail the church at 413-458-4273 or fcc.willi@verizon.net .
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Pittsfield Company Fined for Asbestos Violations

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued a $17,400 penalty to Pittsfield-based Barile Environmental Inc. for asbestos violations that occurred during abatement services at an office building located at 23 Lewis Ave. in Great Barrington.  
 
MassDEP discovered the violations during inspections of the office building in October 2025. Barile failed to follow appropriate asbestos work practices and controls during its asbestos abatement activities at the building site. MassDEP inspections of the facility revealed that Barile personnel were removing asbestos-containing siding in violation of state asbestos regulations.  
 
"MassDEP enforces asbestos regulations so that management of asbestos-containing materials is completed safely," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. "This consent order requires payment of a substantial penalty and could have been avoided if the proper work practices were followed." 
 
Following MassDEP's order, Barile has completed the required cleanup actions and must pay $14,000 of the $17,400 penalty to resolve the violations. The balance of the penalty is suspended pending compliance with the remaining administrative terms of the order.  
 
Property owners or contractors with questions about asbestos-containing materials, notification requirements, proper removal, handling, packaging, storage, and disposal procedures, or MassDEP asbestos regulations are encouraged to contact the appropriate MassDEP Regional Office for assistance.  
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