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Radio Talk Show Set to Debut in Berkshires

Staff reportsiBerkshires
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Sherman Baldwin, left, and John Garb are launching 'Talk Berkshires' on WBRK 1340-AM.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The back and forth between Sherman Baldwin and John Garb isn't so much a conversation than two men playing catch — with each tossing the ball back with a slightly different spin.

"We're like a couple of old married folks," laughed Baldwin last week as he and Garb, his producer, gave a preview of the banter to be expected on Baldwin's new daily three-hour talk show on WBRK 1340-AM.

"Talk Berkshires" debuts Monday, May 18, at 3 p.m. with guests U.S. Sen. John Kerry, Gov. Deval Patrick and Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto.

Touting it the only daily radio show dedicated to talking about local issues in the Berkshires, "Talk Berkshires" marks the return of Baldwin to the county airwaves since departing last year for WROW in Albany, N.Y. A deal inked with WBRK, the only remaining locally owned radio station, gives Baldwin leeway to cover the broad range of issues he thinks the county wants to hear about.

"Everything we do will have a Berkshire County focus," said Baldwin.

Garb, a close friend who's worked with Baldwin on and off for the past 10 years, said the show will always find that nugget of local impact, whether they're talking about international issues or local politics.

"The program will give unprecedented access to the political, cultural and business leaders who make decisions that will affect the Berkshires and beyond for generations to come,” said WBRK President Willard "Chip" Hodgkins III in a statement. "If you have ever heard Sherman's style of radio, you know the show will not only be relevant, but also very entertaining."

Baldwin, 49, seems to switch easily from hard-hitting questions to humorous poking, always giving the object of interrogation a chance to join in the fun.


The Greenwich, Conn., native most recently could be heard on WUPE-FM in the morning. He was working at both WROW and WUPE when the Albany station offered more of a talk-show format, similar to what he'd done in Phoenix. (Baldwin's diverse career also includes owning a restaurant and piloting a ferry boat.)

While at WROW, he co-moderated a nationally televised debate for the special election in New York's 20th Congressional District between Democrat Scott Murphy and Republican James Tedisco. The hotly contested election drew attention as the first test of President Obama's administration since the two men were vying to replace Kirsten Gillibrand, who was named to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.

The winner, Murphy, will also appear on Baldwin's show in recognition of the Berkshires' media ties to eastern New York.

Despite the attention, Baldwin found himself laid off in early April, which opened the door to producing his own radio show.

"The Berkshires are my home,” said Baldwin, in a statement. "When the opportunity arose to do a three-hour talk show here — I jumped on it. I love the Berkshires, and believe that a talk show that is both pertinent and fun could really fill a void. I'm looking forward to starting the dialogue."

He plans to bring more high-profile guests, including WAMC's Alan Chartock and North Adams Mayor John Barrett III on Tuesday.

The show runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. on 1340 on the AM dial. Call in by dialing 413-443-WBRK (9275).
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HQWD Rescinds Proposed FY26 Budget Over Sludge Disposal Changes

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff

The commissioners also heard from David Irwin Jr., right, on the fiscal 2024 annual audit. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Contaminated sludge is off the table for the Hoosac Water Quality District.
 
The HWQD's board on Wednesday voted to rescind its approved $1.5 million budget after Casella  Waste Management withdrew its option to truck untreated residential sewage from other communities to the Williamstown facility and then distribute the composted product elsewhere.
 
Secondly, said Bradley O. Furlon, district manager, the state has extended the wastewater district's ability to compost its own sludge by two years.
 
"With these two changing developments ... I feel that it's not feasible to go with any of the Casella options. It's not feasible with budgeting to go with either of the Synagro options," said Furlon. "Right at this moment, it's most feasible to continue to compost our own sludge, as we've been operating for the past four years at the district."
 
Processed human solid waste has been found to contain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which have been linked to cancer. The district's budget had included an option to take possibly contaminated waste from Casella, which would then sell it elsewhere, with an estimated savings of $500,000.
 
The Williamstown Finance Committee had unanimously endorsed the budget, with the Casella option, but the Select Board voted two weeks ago against recommending it to the annual town meeting. The city of North Adams is the other partner in the wastewater district.
 
The new developments were a relief to the 30 or so attendees at Wednesday's meeting, held in City Council Chambers because of the expected audience. But they also expected more to be done to prevent the dispersion of PFAS.
 
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