Joseph P. Kennedy II made a delivery of discount heating oil today to a Pittsfield grandmother to highlight the availability of fuel assistance to families in need.
Pittsfield - Citizens Energy Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy II made a delivery of discount heating oil today to a Pittsfield grandmother to highlight the availability of fuel assistance to families in need.
Kennedy was joined at the Linden Street home of Ethel Sayers by Mayor Jim Ruberto, along with key partners in the heating initiative, including Rich Hayes, energy director of the Berkshire Community Action Council, and Steve Bailey, owner of SavMor Fuel.
"This could be the toughest winter the poor ever faced," said Kennedy.
"Heating oil prices are up 40% over last year but federal fuel assistance has remained flat. With colder weather on the horizon, our most vulnerable citizens are facing the winter freeze without enough help."
Etta Graham, who lives alone in her Pittsfield home, has exhausted her federal fuel assistance allotment and has turned to Citizens Energy for a delivery of low-cost heating oil.
The Oil Heat Program provides once-a-season deliveries of up to 200 gallons of heating oil at a 40% discount to households who have exhausted their federal fuel assistance allotment or fall just outside the eligibility level for the federal benefit. An estimated 75% of fuel assistance households have already run through their benefit with the remainder expected to do so over the next few weeks.
In partnership with CITGO Petroleum, Citizens Energy is providing discount oil this year to federal fuel assistance households. Corporate donations are being used to expand the number of households served who do not qualify for federal aid or who can't afford to pay anything at all.
Here's how the Oil Heat Program works:
* Households receiving federal fuel assistance
automatically receive a letter from Citizens Energy authorizing them to contact their local heating oil dealer to receive a delivery of discount fuel after their federal benefit runs out.
* Callers to the Citizens Energy hotline
(1-877-JOE-4-OIL/1-877-563-4645) who haven't applied for the federal benefit will be directed to their local fuel assistance agency to apply.
* Callers who don't qualify will be mailed a one-page application to fill out and return to Citizens Energy, which will send out authorization letters.
The Oil Heat Program works with 26 local Community Action Programs to identify households in need. Over 350 local heating oil dealers deliver the discount fuel. Key media partners include Massachusetts TV and radio stations that have donated airtime to public service announcements and outdoor advertising firms that have donated billboard space.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center.
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents.
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager.
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event.
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