Solar Energy for your Home or Business

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CUMMINGTON, Mass. - On Wednesday, June 10, the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) will offer a Solar Energy for your Home or Business seminar at the Cummington Community House. Check in begins at 6 p.m. and the presentation is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Advance registration is required and a donation of $10 is suggested. Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer and renewable energy consultant, will be the featured speaker. The event is co-sponsored by the Hilltown Sustainability Group.

Interest in solar hot water and solar electric (photovoltaic) systems for homes, farms, schools and businesses in the Pioneer Valley continues to grow due to volatile fuel prices and concern about the effects of fossils fuels on our health and environment. Attendees will learn about grants, rebates and tax incentives to offset the cost of investing in energy efficiency and solar photovoltaic and hot water systems.

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 systems 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.

Right now, the Commonwealth Solar photovoltaic program is of particular benefit to households with moderate income and home values and for commercial projects. Residents will also learn about a 0% interest loan that they may qualify for (up to $15,000) to finance energy efficiency measures and solar hot water systems through the MassSAVE home energy efficiency program.  Vreeland will provide detailed information on these and other financial incentives available through state and federal programs.

For more information or to register for this seminar, contact Tomasin Whitaker at CET at 413-586-7350 ext. 25, or tomasin@cetonline.org.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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