2nd Street Seeks Submissions for Literary Project

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 2nd Street seeks submissions for Using Our Outside Voices, a literary project created in partnership with Berkshire Community College (BCC) that is designed to promote creativity, acceptance and inclusion for presently or formerly incarcerated men and women in Berkshire County. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2024.
 
Authors whose work is selected will receive a cash award of $200, and winning submissions will be published in a journal. The initial run of 400 printed copies of the free journal will be distributed locally, and digital copies will be available online. In addition, public readings will be held at various venues in the Berkshires.
 
Any presently or formerly incarcerated resident of Berkshire County is invited to submit original poetry, short fiction, personal essays or other literary works. Those who need editorial help can bring their work to 2nd Street, located at 264 Second Street, Pittsfield.
 
For more details on how to submit a literary work, visit www.2nd-street.org and click Special Projects, or call (413) 443-7220, ext. 1275. 
 
Financial and in-kind support of Using Our Outside Voices is provided by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Arts Build Community initiative with funding from the Barr Foundation; by Berkshire United Way; by Berkshire Community College; and by Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency supported by Mass Cultural Council.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire Concrete Fined, Ordered to Restore Digsite

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — After more than a year of residents demanding action, it appears that pressure is finally being placed on Berkshire Concrete.
 
On March 2, the Board of Health issued a $5,000 fine to Berkshire Concrete, a subsidiary of Petricca Industries, for creating a public nuisance by allowing sand and dust to leave the property and for failing to submit an adequate dust mitigation plan despite numerous orders. Future violations may result in fines of up to $10,000 per infraction.
 
"The Board expects that you will submit a comprehensive dust mitigation plan forthwith including immediate action plans and long-term action plans to remedy the ongoing dust impacts from the property," the notice said. 
 
"Strict compliance with the mitigation plan will be necessary to avoid future fines and/or court action." 
 
Berkshire Concrete has a right to appeal the decision by requesting a public hearing before the board within 14 days of receiving the notice. The next available meeting date for such a hearing will be April 14. 
 
In addition to being fined, the building inspector has issued a zoning order to restore the unauthorized digsite on parcel No. 105-16, following the Zoning Board of Appeals decision that it violated zoning bylaw 350-61 Section E. Restoration.
 
Berkshire Concrete is required to submit by March 15 a written plan and timeline of no more than a 30-day window to complete this work to avoid being issued a violation notice and a fine.
 
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