North Adams Council Expects Short-Term Rental Ordinance Draft Next Month

The city's been trying to find a way to register the rentals to ensure compliance with state safety and building codes. Lawmakers enacted legislation to tax these units but failed to provide guidance for municipalities on how to regulate them.

BART Announces Three New Trustees

Berkshire Arts & Technology (BART) Charter Public School announces three recent additions to its Board of Trustees: Tom Bernard, Alison Bost, and Yina Moore.

Williamstown Planning Board Seeks Input on Short-Term Rental Proposal

The Planning Board last week laid out its initial thinking about a potential short-term rental bylaw that it wants to bring to town meeting as early as May.

Great Barrington Road-Stream Management Plan Available

This document is a guide for how road infrastructure projects should be designed to alleviate stream flooding and to ensure aquatic wildlife corridors are improved. Project funding is provided by the Housatonic River NRD Trustees and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

MVP Grant Funds Flood Resiliency in Berkshire County

Community partners gathered at the Churchill Brook culvert on Hancock Road on Thursday to highlight flood mitigation efforts assisted by the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program grant.

Veteran Spotlight: Dr. Charles Parton

Return to Normalcy Makes Pittsfield COVID Rates Rise

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, Director of Public Health Andy Cambi compared metrics from this summer and last summer.

Mount Greylock Gets Final Tab for School Building Project

The final bill to Williamstown and Lanesborough for the construction project at Mount Greylock Regional School came in at $33 million, according to a final audit presented to the School Committee on Thursday evening.

West Side Mural Wishes for Greener Future

Located on the B&P Auto Body Supply at the corner of Robbins Avenue and Columbus Avenue, it depicts a young boy making a wish on a dandelion with an eco-friendly landscape in the background. Within the mural is a farm, windmills to supply energy, an electric car, and a Bird scooter.

Lenox Hotels Sold for $38M

Mission Hill Hospitality, a KSL Capital Partners portfolio company, closed the sales on Aug. 11 for the Courtyard by Marriot Lenox and Hampton Inn & Suites Berkshires-Lenox from Toole Lodging Group.

W.E.B Du Bois Center to Host Elizabeth Freeman Roundtable

The roundtable will take place Friday, Aug. 19, at 4 p.m. at Dewey Hall. A reception will follow the roundtable.

@theMarket: Markets Gain Back Half This Year's Losses

I warned readers back in June 2022 that after this relief rally, "somewhere in middle to late August," we would start a decline that could take us back down to 3,800 to retest or slightly break the year's lows. That remains my forecast.

Adams' Valley Street Shed Still Needs Funding

Commission Chair James Fassell agreed the current shed can keep being used and said the group will revisit the issue in the future.

Wahconah Park Restoration Committee Inspects Grandstand

After a structural evaluation in late 2021 revealed concerns, the city hired a structural engineer and architect to look at it more comprehensively.

The Retired Investor: Can You Put a Value on Your Dog's Life?

Your elderly dog has arthritis. His breathing is difficult. He needs assistance to get up, and his bladder is failing. The vet bills are far higher than your own, and it is getting more difficult to pay them. "How much is too much?"

Dalton Select Board Approves 19% Sewer Rate Increase

With the current rate of $3.53 bi-annual metered rate per 1,000 gallons and an annual flat rate of $394, the town would be in an almost $172,000 deficit. Officials say this warranted the increase.

Pittsfield Council Requests 75k for Policing Alternatives

A petition from Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren requesting $75,000 appropriated for the creation of alternative community emergency services was referred to Mayor Linda Tyer.

Data Shows North Street Bike Lanes Improve Safety

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales presented a road report for the corridor which showed a 77 percent crash decrease after the lanes were implemented.

Lanesborough Approves Extension for Cannabis Dispensary

Lev Kelman, owner of 660 Cheshire Road, said at Monday's board meeting that he expects construction to begin soon on the property but wanted an extension in case of delays.

Pittsfield Board of Health Considers Subcommittees

Last week, the board's newest member, Dr. Jeffrey Leppo, a cardiologist, suggested the implementation of subcommittees for topics such as housing, opioid settlement, RF radiation, and community health.

Cheshire Looking to Fill Two Finance Committee Vacancies

The town's moderator, Carol Francesconi, appoints members to the Finance Committee but has said no residents have shown interest in the positions yet.

The Classical Beat: Tanglewood and Sevenars are Not to be Missed

This week, as Tanglewood enters its sixth week of classical programming, the two large-scale orchestral works to be performed by the Tanglewood Music Festival Orchestra are 20th century classics

Williamstown Select Board Finalizes Charge for Charter Review Panel

The Select Board on Monday approved the marching orders for the first comprehensive charter in more than six decades.

North Adams Council OKs Easements for Brayton Safe Routes Project

The $740,000 project is being largely funded by a grant through the Federal Highway Administration. The use of federal funds requires the city to go "over and above" the usual rights of way process.

Conservative State Candidates Pitch Campaigns in Pittsfield

The West Springfield native spoke of his priorities to secure the U.S. border, deflate inflation, gain energy independence, and restore parental rights.