"Wasting disease" undetected in Bay State deer

MassWildlife12:00AM / Monday, May 15, 2006Print Story | Email Story

No evidence of the devestating chronic wasting disease was detected in Massachusetts deer this season(MassWildlife photo)

No evidence of chronic wasting disease was detected in Massachusetts deer based on data gathered during the 2005 hunting season. MassWildlife recently received results from a federally certified veterinary diagnostic laboratory that indicate that all the deer brain, lymph node, and tonsil samples taken during last fall's hunting season tested negative for the disease. During the fall 2005 deer hunting season, MassWildlife collected 577 samples from hunter-harvested, roadkilled and targeted deer across the state for CWD testing. This was the fourth year of sampling in Massachusetts as part of a nationwide CWD monitoring and surveillance program. Chronic wasting disease is a fatal neurological disorder known to affect white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. The World Health Organization has concluded that there is no evidence that people can become infected with CWD. CWD was first identified in the late 1960's in Colorado and remained located in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska for over two decades. In the past decade, states in which CWD was more recently found include: Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wisconsin; plus Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada. In 2005, deer in New York and West Virginia tested positive for CWD. These were the first instances of the disease detected in the northeastern United States. As responsible stewards for all native wildlife in the state, MassWildlife has implemented strict regulations to prevent the disease from entering the Bay State and affecting the health of both wild and captive deer populations. It is unlawful to import all species of live deer including European red deer, sika deer, fallow deer and reindeer, all species commonly raised commercially. Last fall, in response to the presence of CWD in New York, regulations were passed by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board that make it illegal for anyone to import, process or possess whole carcasses or parts of deer or elk (from wild or captive deer herds) from states and Canadian provinces where CWD has been detected. The only exceptions to the regulation are: meat that is deboned, cleaned skull caps, hides and finished taxidermy mounts. By restricting importation to these specific deer parts, the importation of neurological tissue --which is where the disease-causing prions are located -- is prevented, yet sportsmen and sportswomen hunting in states with CWD can still safely use the deer they harvest. For more information regarding CWD and actions taken by MassWildlife, click on the Wildlife button at www.mass.gov/masswildlife . For national CWD information, visit the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance website at www.cwd-info.org .

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Pittsfield Council Opposes Berkshire Gas Rate Hike Proposal

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
01:05PM / Thursday, February 26, 2026

Berkshire Gas says it needs the increase for infrastructure improvements. Officials say it will cause an unnecessary burden on customers who depend on natural gas for heat.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has joined statewide opposition to Berkshire Gas's proposed 22 percent increase on the average customer's bill.

On Tuesday, Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 4 Councilor James Conant asked their colleagues to oppose the rate hike, which the state Department of Public Utilities has suspended until October to investigate. Written comments are accepted through Friday, Feb. 27.

"As all of us know, Berkshire Gas is looking for up to a 25 percent increase, which would equate to about an average of $54 a month, which is a hefty increase for anyone," Amuso said.

"And there's about 8,500 households in Berkshire County that are on fuel assistance, and we already have 8,500 households on fuel assistance, I'm not sure how more than 8,500 can afford a $54 average."

Present councilors unanimously supported the petition, and Councilor at Large Peter White, who was unable to attend the meeting, communicated his support via email. Mayor Peter Marchetti is also a signer.

The testimonial letter urges the DPU to deny the utility's requested increase, or sharply reduce it, require the company to demonstrate the benefits of the Gas System Enhancement Program before costs are rolled into base rates, and condition any approved increase with consumer protections and affordability programs.

The utility is asking to adjust distribution rates to generate $22.2 million, which it anticipates will result in a 21.6 percent rate increase on average. In filings with the DPU, Berkshire Gas is estimating up to about a $54 per month increase for residential heating and $12 for non-heating customers.

Gov. Maura Healey, the Berkshire legislative delegation, local higher education institutions, and community members have voiced opposition to the proposed rate hike for a vital service. The North Adams City Council registered its opposition also on Tuesday.

During a recent campaign stop in Pittsfield, Healey recognized that people are "really, really struggling" with gas and electric bills.

"I'm working on every front to lower those costs. I was upset to see Berkshire Gas's proposal for an additional rate hike that could increase bills in Pittsfield, around this region, by as much as 25 percent. Twenty-five percent is something that nobody can afford; our residents can't afford, our businesses can't afford. It just can't happen," she said.

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