CET will present a free solar energy workshop

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The Center for Ecological Technology (CETsm) will present a free solar energy workshop on Tuesday, April 4th from 7-9 p.m. in the Fisher Science Center at Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington. The featured speaker will be Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer. This informational workshop is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged. Skyrocketing energy costs and concern about our dependence on fossils fuels are leading many people to seek local, clean sources of energy. Recently, dozens of solar electric systems have been installed on homes, schools and public buildings in the Berkshires, and solar hot water systems are once again attracting attention. Grants and tax incentives now help offset the cost of investing in solar energy and other renewable technologies. CET’s solar energy workshop is a good way to discover if a renewable energy system is a good fit. Those who attend will learn the basics of using energy from the sun to create electricity or heat water. Participants will learn how solar panels work, the system components, how to determine whether they have a good site and how to gain additional benefits through energy efficient improvements. The workshop will also address average prices for solar electric and solar hot water systems and how to find local installers. The workshop will showcase systems in installed in the Berkshires. A highlight of the workshop will be information about financial incentives available from Massachusetts and the federal government. Mr. Vreeland will give an overview of tax incentives and will summarize a rebate program currently offered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to help homeowners and small businesses pay for renewable energy systems. Please pre-register if you are interested in attending. To find out more or to pre-register, contact Cynthia Grippaldi, at 413-445-4556 ext. 25 or email Nancy at: nancyn@cetonline.org. CET is a non-profit energy and resource conservation organization that has served western Massachusetts since 1976. CET receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. CET is an equal opportunity service provider. This workshop is made possible through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
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Dalton Public Safety Advisory Committee Down to 3

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Advisory Committee is down to three members. 
 
The five-member committee was established last June to examine all the options for a new police station or combined public safety facility, with the goal to have a recommendation to the Select Board by this December. 
 
The committee was established after Police Chief Deanna Strout demonstrated to the board the dire condition of the facility that is unable to meet state requirements. The condition of the facility has been worsening as the town explores its options. 
 
During a recent Select Board meeting, the deadline was pushed to April, following recent confusion on next steps. 
 
Craig Wilbur, former co-chair, put in his letter of resignation from the committee effective Dec. 31 and Anthony "Tony" Pagliarulo stepped down after being elected to the Select Board. 
 
During the last meeting, Wilbur stepped down from his role as co-chair following a heated discussion on next steps.
 
"As you know, during last evening's meeting the committee voted to extend its charge for an additional four months. While I fully respect and support the important work that lies ahead, I regret that due to other professional and personal commitments, I am unable to continue serving during this extended period," Wilbur said in his letter. 
 
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