Downtown Debuts Solar-Powered Compactor

NORTH ADAMS - Main Street visitors may have noticed the solar-powered trash compactor that suddenly appeared downtown this week but most probably don't know where it came from or how it works.

Donated by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, the compactor - a simple black machine about the size of a mailbox - is a product of Needham-based BigBelly Solar, who specializes in manufacturing the world's only solar-powered cordless compaction system.

Emily Dahl, a public information officer at MTC, said the state agency offered more than a dozen free compactors to municipalities throughout the state who expressed an interest in trying them out.

"They can be used to familiarize the public with how renewable energy, especially solar, can be used," said Dahl.

The compactor, the only one donated to a community in Berkshire County through this pilot program, holds up to five times the volume of ordinary trash receptacles and up to 150 gallons of trash, according to information provided by BigBelly. A solar panel on the compactor’s top powers the machine 100 percent, even without direct sunlight.

There are hundreds of compactors throughout the country, on campuses, in parks and at beaches, on city streets and at Fenway Park. With over 40 distributors nationwide, BigBelly can help significantly cut down on greenhouse gas emissions because fewer trips need to be made to dispose of the waste inside.

The Bigbelly reduces waste collection frequency, lowers costs and can pay for itself in as little as 1.5 years.

McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
05:32PM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course. 

 

The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication. 

 

"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."

 

LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates. 

 

"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.

 

The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.

 

"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.