Berkshire Nursing Families Honors Teen to 23 Project Participants

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In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, Berkshire Nursing Families would like to honor the families of the BNF Teen to 23 Project for their commitment to providing breast milk to their new babies.  

The Teen to 23 Project was founded by BNF in 2009 when community research showed that young families were not accessing traditional childbirth and breastfeeding classes.  

This innovative Project is designed specifically for this age group and couples childbirth, breastfeeding and parenting education in a non-threatening and supportive environment. Pregnant families are mentored by other young families who have babies with the support of young trained facilitators.  

BNF collaborates with the Berkshire WIC Program, the Family Resource Center and the Berkshire Museum to provide this weekly playgroup at no cost.

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

Pittsfield Officials: Unlimited Trash Not Sustainable, Toters Offer Cost-Savings

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Unlimited trash pickup is not sustainable and will lead to higher taxes, city officials say.

Mayor Peter Marchetti began public outreach on Monday on the proposed five-year contract with Casella Waste Management for solid waste and recyclables. Older residents packed into the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center for the first of three community meetings.

On the table is a move to automated pickup utilizing 48-gallon toters, which would be at no cost to residents unless they require additional toters and would save the city $80,000 per year.

The goal is to execute a contract by July 1, the start of the fiscal year.

"Trash collection is not free. You're already paying for it as part of your taxes that you pay. In this administration, in this proposal there is no 'I'm looking to create a trash tax,''' Marchetti said, explaining that trash pickup for fiscal year 2025 is around $5.1 million and has doubled since he first served on the council in 2002.

"So we need to find a way to stem the cost of trash."

Some of the seniors praised the new plan while others had concerns, asking questions like "What is going to happen to the trash cans we have now?" "What if I live in rural Pittsfield and have a long driveway?" and "What happens if my toter is stolen?"

"I've lived in a lot of other places and know this is a big innovation that is taking place over the last 20,30 years," one resident said. "It's worked in most places. It's much better than throwing bags of garbage on the side of the road."

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