Dalton Committee, BRPC Host Climate Change Preparedness Forum

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Green Committee is hosting a climate change preparedness public education forum on Thursday,  Aug. 3, at the Stationery Factory. 
 
This free event is a collaboration between the Green Committee, the Stationery Factory, and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 
 
The ultimate goal of the event is to educate residents on ways they can reduce fossil fuel by using available funding programs and technology, committee member Steven Marantz said. 
 
"I would say an unprecedented ecological and humanitarian crisis will without a doubt occur if we do not address climate change aggressively," added committee member Todd Logan. 
 
If climate change is not addressed the average temperature of the Earth increases and the tropics will eventually become inhabitable, member Thomas Irwin said. Approximately, 3 billion people, which is half of the population on earth, will be displaced creating "an unfathomable disaster" including lack of housing, food, and resources for the migrants. 
 
"We don't have the resources to be able to handle it and house those people," Irwin said. 
 
"I would say an unprecedented ecological and humanitarian crisis will without a doubt occur if we do not address climate change aggressively," Logan said. 
 
During this free event, experts will speak on navigating funding opportunities for weatherizing and obtaining heating pumps and solar panels for homes, businesses and rentals. 
 
The event will kick off at 5 p.m. in the venue's main stage space that will house MassSave-approved weatherization and heat pump vendors.   
 
Although open to the public, the event is directed toward residents of Becket, Cheshire, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Savoy, Washington and Windsor. 
 
Starting at 6 p.m. there will be a panel discussion with Green Energy Consumers Alliance Executive Director Larry Chretien and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's environmental and energy planner Sherdyl Fernandez-Aubert. 
 
Audience members will have a chance to ask questions following the discussion. Register for the event here

Tags: energy efficiency,   

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Brien Center Announces Vice President of Human Resources

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Amy Thomson was recently named Vice President of Human Resources for the Brien Center, Berkshire County's largest behavioral health provider. 
 
In her new position, she will provide strategic direction and oversight for all aspects of the Human Resources functional areas including recruitment and retention, employee relations, compensation and benefits, performance management and professional development.
 
Immediately prior to joining The Brien Center, Thomson served as the Vice President of Human Resources for the Annie Selke Companies. Other career positions include Director of Human Resources for Berkshire Healthcare Systems' Long Term Care Division, Vice President of Human Resources for Legacy Banks and Director of HR for Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club. 
 
She is a resident of Pittsfield.
 
"We are excited that Amy has joined our leadership team, "said Christine Macbeth, President and CEO of the Brien Center. "The agency will benefit from her 30+ years in Human Resources and her skills in employee relations, compliance and benefit management, performance management and strategic focus. Her previous experience will serve her well as she leads her team in developing and implementing efficient and creative initiatives that will advance the HR components of the organization's strategic plan."
 
Thomson earned a Masters' Degree in Human Resources Management from Leslie University and a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College. She enjoys skiing, hiking, horseback riding and spending quality time with family and friends.
 
 
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