Workshop on “Wind Power for Homes and Farms”

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Pittsfield - The public is invited to attend an informational workshop, “Wind Power for Homes and Farms” on Tuesday, November 29th at the Berkshire Athenaeum, One Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the forum will be from 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. The meeting is free, and is sponsored by the Center for Ecological Technology (CETsm) with support from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC). Pre-registration is encouraged. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Berkshire Renewable Energy Collaborative and the Berkshire Co-op Market. Public interest in wind energy has grown as local wind projects have been in the news. On November 29th, community members can learn more about small-scale wind technologies for their homes, farms and small businesses. Sally Wright from the University of Massachusetts Renewable Energy Research Laboratory will discuss how wind turbines work, what is a good site, what are the zoning and permitting issues, and what financial incentives are available. She will provide information about a rebate program from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to help homeowners and farmers pay for renewable energy systems. For further information or to pre-register, please contact Amy Johns at 413-445-4556 ext 14 or email amyj@cetonline.org. CET is a non-profit community organization serving western Massachusetts. Founded in 1976, CET works in the areas of energy and resource conservation, renewable energy and environmental education. CET is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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