Take Charge to Host Energy Saving Workshop Series

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North Adams - A workshop series will be held at the public libraries to educate residents on saving energy and money in their homes. Take Charge: The North Adams Campaign to Save Energy is stepping up efforts to help our community with the upcoming winter heating crisis. 

These workshops will inform the community about ways to save money and energy in their homes during the approaching winter months and beyond. Everyone is feeling the affect of rising oil and gas prices and the cost of heating homes increasing exponentially. This series of free workshops will give residents the tools and information they need to battle their bills.

The first workshop, "Home Energy Use," is scheduled for September 18th at 6:30 at the North Adams Library. Mike Tillou will explore energy used in the home and educate residents on ways to save money on their home energy bills. The workshop will explore different areas of homes that use energy and ways to make this energy use most efficient.

"Insulation and Heating" will be held at the North Adams Library on October 2nd at 6:30. Bruce Harley, Technical Director for Conservation Services group, author and home energy expert will explain the importance of insulating your home. He will examine the trouble spots in homes where energy is lost and educate participants on ways to improve the insulation in their homes.

"Solar Power Options" with Chris Kilfoyle and Craig Robertson will be held on October 22nd at 6:30 at the Williamstown Library. This workshop will inform residents about solar power and the different options that are available with both solar electric and solar hot water systems. Kilfoyle, of Berkshire Photo Voltaic, installs solar electric systems across the Berkshires. Robertson, of Heliocentrix, works mostly with solar hot water and solar thermal.
 
The last workshop in this series,"Lowering Your Electric Bill," will be held at the Williamstown Library on October 29th at 6:30. Nancy Nylen from CET will help residents dissect their electric bill to finds ways they can save money. 

All are welcome to attend and light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit the Take Charge website at www.takechargenorthadams.org

Take Charge: The North Adams Campaign to Save Energy is committed to helping improve North Adams quality of life by making our homes and communities more energy independent. The campaign has distributed information to over 400 residents, handed out free energy saving light bulbs, and inspired the city to be more ambitious in its energy saving efforts.


Workshop Schedule:

Home Energy Use with Mike Tillou.
Thur. Sept. 18th 6:30 - North Adams Library

Insulation and Heating with Bruce Harley
Thur. Oct. 2nd, 6:30 - North Adams Library

Solar Power Options with Chris Kilfoyle and Craig Robertson
Wed. Oct. 22nd, 6:30 - Williamstown Library

Lowering Your Electric Bill With Nancy Nylen
Wed. Oct 29th 6:30 - Williamstown Library
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Pittsfield Now Has 3 Splash Pads

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— New facilities are coming to city parks. 

A splash pad is now running at Durant Park, and a mini-pitch soccer field will be installed at Crane Park this fall.  During the last Parks Commission meeting, Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath delivered project updates. 

"We want to see these parks utilized. This is all about healthy Pittsfield," he said during the commission's July 21 meeting.

"Let's activate our parks and use the commission to really sensibly look at other improvements." 

This is Pittsfield's third splash pad, the others at Clapp Park and The Common.  Constructed by Baskin Builders, the outdoor water attraction is button-operated and has a variety of water elements for different ages.  

The facility soft-opened recently, and Pittsfield plans to host a formal ribbon-cutting this month with the Westside Legends and Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity. 

"That project went really well, and we're really looking forward to offering a splash pad down at that great little park," McGrath said.

Durant Park, a 2.1-acre park at 30 John St., also hosts a 4,750-square-foot playground, basketball court, softball field, picnic area, and sitting areas. It is located in the heart of the West Side neighborhood and is within walking distance of many households. 

In December, the City Council accepted $215,980 from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission to install a stormwater treatment system on Francis Avenue and a splash pad at the park. BRPC agreed with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to administer the funds. 

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