Great Barrington Urges Masks and Social Distancing

08:09AM / Monday, December 27, 2021Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Great Barrington Board of Health has amended its Public Health Advisory to urge residents, visitors, employers and employees to wear a mask and maintain proper social distance in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccine status.

The BOH also advises wearing masks while outdoors where social distancing cannot be maintained

"While vaccination is vitally important to protecting against severe disease, vaccination is not the sole protection against COVID-19 and serious illness," said Rebecca Jurczyk, health agent for the town.

The BOH also recommends:

Increase ventilation in indoor spaces when two or more people are meeting.
Wear medical grade N95 mask when in indoor public settings and/ or around immune-compromised individuals.
Social distance and wash hands frequently.
Limit travel and gatherings, but if not possible, limit the size of the gathering.
Get tested prior to travel or gathering, and plan accordingly to receive results prior to travel.

At-home antigen tests are available over the counter and PCR tests are available with an appointment at local testing sites. If you test positive with a home test, contact the local Health Department for more information.

In addition, take measures to improve personal health and well-being, by taking care of mental health, getting exercise, managing sleep and contacting your medical provider with any health concerns.

Event planners or organizations hosting events are encouraged to consult with the Health Department to ensure appropriate precautionary measures are implemented.

Signage referencing this advisory can be requested through the Great Barrington Health Department.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Board of Health during business hours or at an upcoming Board of Health meeting.

Any questions may be directed to the Board of Health, (413) 528-0680.

Tags: COVID-19,

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First Eagle Mill Units in Lee to Open in Springtime

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:02AM / Tuesday, February 03, 2026

Eagle Mills developer Jeffrey Cohen updates the Lee Chamber of Commerce as the project's phases, and the amount of heavy lifting to get it to this point.

LEE, Mass. — More than 50 affordable units are expected to come online at the Eagle Mill this spring.

This is the first of several planned development phases at the former paper mill that dates back to the early 1800s, totaling more than 200 units. The Lee Chamber of Commerce hosted an information session on the project during its Business Breakfast last Wednesday.

"We are here because we have a really big project that's happened for a very long time here in Lee, that, for myself, has provided a real sense of hope, and has has really defined this community as one of the few in the Berkshires that's really looking forward, as opposed to just being sort of stuck in the past," Chamber member Erik Williams said.

The estimated $60 million development broke ground in 2021 after nearly a decade of planning and permitting. Hundreds of workers once filed into the 8-acre complex, producing up to 165 tons of paper a week. The last mill on the property closed in 2008.

Hearthway is accepting applications for 56 affordable apartments called "The Lofts at Eagle Mill" with expected occupancy in May. The housing nonprofit was also approved for 45 additional units of new construction on the site.

Jeffrey Cohen of Eagle Mill Redevelopment LLC said the project dates back to 2012, when a purchase contract was signed for the West Center Street property. The developers didn't have to close on the property until renovation plans were approved in 2017, and the mill was sold for $700,000.

It seemed like a great deal for the structure and eight acres on the Housatonic River, Cohen explained, but he wasn't aware of the complex pre-development costs, state, and local approvals it would entail. Seven individually owned homes adjacent to the property were also acquired and demolished for parking and site access.

"If I knew today what I knew then, I'm not sure we'd be sitting here," he said, joining the breakfast remotely over Zoom.

Cohen praised the town's government, explaining that the redesigns and critiques "Could not have been done in a friendlier way, in a more helpful way," and the two Massachusetts governors serving during the project's tenure. The Eagle Mill redevelopment is supported by state and federal grants, as well as low-income housing tax credits.

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