Solar energy for your home or business

04:37PM / Friday, April 18, 2008Print Story | Email Story

A solar energy for your home or business presentation will be offered by the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) on Wednesday, May 7, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Berkshire Athenaeum (Library) on Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer, will be the featured speaker. Pre-registration is required and a donation of $10 is suggested. BerkShares are accepted.

With rising fuel prices and concern about the effects of fossils fuels on our health and environment, many businesses and homeowners are trying to conserve and seek local, clean sources of energy. Interest in solar hot water and solar electric (photovoltaic) systems for homes, farms, schools and businesses in the Berkshires continues to grow. Grants and tax incentives are available to help offset the cost of investing in solar energy and other renewable technologies.

Vreeland will provide an overview of financial incentives available from Massachusetts and the federal government and will summarize funding available through the new Commonwealth Solar program for photovoltaic projects. Businesses and homeowners are eligible for rebates, and can reduce costs by 40 percent. Other changes are pending, including legislation that would make it easier for homeowners with solar electric panels to sell energy back to the power grid.

This seminar is designed to help homeowners and businesses determine if a solar installation would be a good fit for their situation. Attendees will learn the basics about how solar hot water and solar 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.

If you are interested in attending, or have questions about the workshop, contact CET at 413-445-4556 ext. 25, or cynthiag@cetonline.org.

CET is a non-profit energy and resource conservation organization that has served western Massachusetts since 1976. CET is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. CET is an equal opportunity service provider. This workshop is made possible through grant funding from Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

View Full Story