NORTH ADAMS - Since no solutions have been proposed from the federal government, it's up to individual states to facilitate change and combat the effects of global warming and climate change, say state legislators.
State Sen. Marc R. Pacheco, D-Taunton, chairman of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change, will hold a hearing on utilities and energy Sept. 24 at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, as part of a statewide tour to get residents' opinions on the best legislative solutions for environmental change.
"In the face of federal inaction, states need to take strategic steps to curb global warming," said state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, who is co-sponsoring the event. "Our over-reliance on fossil fuels has gotten us into this situation and now we want to build a comprehensive strategy across the commonwealth."
The hearings will provide an opportunity for citizens across the state to discuss what actions will directly affect their lives and livelihoods.
"The committee will see and hear what the concerns are from residents in Western Massachusetts when facing the challenge of what to do about global warming," said Downing. "In the Berkshires, [the committee] will hear about funding for agricultural preservation restrictions, about preserving what we consider a pristine environment, and finding ways to do all that while also protecting economic growth."
The public is invited to share perspectives and to help the committee outline initiatives that would best benefit all communities in the state.
"The committee will be addressing different concerns from different regions but this is about what Massachusetts can do to speed up the process of acknowledging the global warming issue and meeting the needs of our citizens," said Downing.
The hearing will take place Monday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in MCLA's Murdock Hall, Room 218.
Jen Thomas can be reached at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, Ext. 23.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
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Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
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For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
