The executive committee met on Thursday to discuss an array of issues.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — BRPC is looking for input on a plan for the county's transportation system.

 

The plan will guide where county officials will spend state, federal and local dollars on the system. The plan will include ways to reduce congestion, ease commutes, improve safety, enhance sidewalks, bike lanes and trails.

 

"Transportation affects every one of us, every day, in numerous ways. Our transportation system is also vital to our regional economy. To make fair and efficient choices with limited financial resources, we need people throughout the region to let us know what works well and what needs improvement," said Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Nathaniel Karns.

 

The organization now wants as much public input on the system and will be holding an input session on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 5:30 at the Berkshire Regional Transit's Intermodal Center. There is also an online survey here residents can take to help.

 

In other business, the organization is just starting to take a look into illegal bed and breakfasts. Planner Tom Matuszko says the group is hoping to bring the issue up at a dinner next month.

 

"We're seeing if there is something we should be doing about it," Matuszko said. "I think the bigger concern is the potential health risks."

 

Led by websites such as airbnb, Matuszko said there is a growing number of people renting out rooms in their homes for short periods of time. However, those places aren't licensed and inspected like a commercial bed and breakfast establishment. Meanwhile, many towns have neglected the issue altogether.

 

BRPC also received the annual audit in which the organization received no recommendations for improvement and no flaws in the numbers.

 

"We finished the year with a little bit of a surplus, as we had reported when we closed our books," Karns said. "Our first hurdle is no findings, no recommendations." 

 

Also with the end of the year, the Executive Committee gave Karns high praise in the annual performance review. 

 

Karns cited the completion of the massive Sustainable Berkshires plan as a major accomplishment. But, he said he felt he could have done a better job with updating staff job descriptions and organization policies. He also did not get to craft a new strategic plan for the organization.

 

"I think we've got a growing credibility in the region," Karns said in review of the year.

 

The committee was forgiving of Karn's lack of a new strategic plan, citing the organization's role of taking on major, unexpected issues of the Rest of the River cleanup and the proposed natural gas pipeline.

 

"I am pleased with the decision making," said BRPC Chairwoman Sheila Irving.

 

Sheffield representative Rene Wood encouraged Karns to go off-site in a retreat to focus on crafting the strategic plan.

 

The organization is also submitting an offer to the town of Otis' request for proposals to help develop a master plan. And, in January, the organization is going to consider if the Berkshires should be classified as an "age-friendly" area through the World Health Organization.