PITTSFIELD - The Center for Ecological Technology will hold a workshop on solar energy for the home or small business on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (check in at 6) at the Berkshire Athenaeum at 1 Wendell Ave. Chris Vreeland, a professional engineer, will be the featured speaker. Registration is required and a donation of $10 is suggested.
Energy costs and concern about the effects of fossils fuels on our health and environment are leading many Berkshire businesses and homeowners to conserve and seek local, clean sources of energy. Interest in solar energy systems for homes, farms, schools and businesses is continuing to grow. Grants and tax incentives are available to help offset the cost of investing in solar energy and other renewable technologies.
This workshop is designed to help participants determine if solar energy would be a good fit for their situation. Attendees will learn the basics of how solar hot water and photovoltaic panels work, the components of a solar energy system, how to determine what size system is needed, whether they have a good site and how to gain additional benefits through energy efficient improvements.
Vreeland will provide an overview of financial incentives available from the state and the federal government and will summarize a rebate program offered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
To register or for more information, call Cynthia Grippaldi at 413-445-4556, Ext. 25, or e-mail to cynthiag@cetonline.org.
CET is a non-profit energy and resource conservation organization that has served Western Massachusetts since 1976. It receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and Energy Federation Inc.
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Berkshire County Urged to Stay Home During Monday Nor'Easter
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Students and non-emergency municipal workers are home on Monday as the region is deals with another Nor'easter.
Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales estimated that there was about 8 inches of accumulation around 10:45 a.m., and another two or three inches are expected. All of the main routes are covered by contractors and in-house staff, with support from the water division.
"Wind is critical right now," Morales said. "That's the biggest problem we have ahead of us is wind driven conditions that may be difficult for people to drive on the road."
The city has 19 contractors. There are still seven vacancies in the highway division, as well as one individual out on sick leave; four additional contractors with larger plows and road treatment capabilities were hired to fill the gap.
Parking restrictions are in effect from 7 a.m. on Sunday to 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Residents are asked to use off-street parking whenever possible and follow alternate side parking regulations if they need to park in the street:
Between 7 a.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Monday: Park on the even-numbered side of the street.
Between 7 a.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday: Park on the odd-numbered side of the street.
The McKay Street parking garage is free through Tuesday at 7 a.m.
During the last storm, Pittsfield had to tow about 30 vehicles obstructing the plowing route. Morales reported that the city has towed a few cars during this storm, and that people should be parking on the odd side of the street on Monday.
"It's not bad. There's still definitely a few streets with parked vehicles all over the place," he said.
"What we want with this is getting people to still be able to park on the road, but be organized in a way that we can more effectively plow the street."
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