The Live on the Lake concert series

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Live on the Lake – Onota Lake in Pittsfield
Courtesy of Greylock Federal Credit Union

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Greylock Federal Credit Union and Live 95.5 WBEC FM have released the summer lineup for their Live on the Lake community concert series. For the eighth consecutive season the concerts will be offered Wednesday evenings beginning on July 1 through August 26, from 6 pm to 8 pm, at Burbank Park on Onota Lake in Pittsfield.

The Live on the Lake concert series began in the summer of 2002 and has enjoyed phenomenal success, drawing thousands of people each week. “Live on the Lake is a symbol of summer fun in Berkshire County,” said Angelo Stracuzzi, president of Greylock Federal. “We are pleased to be part of what is now a local tradition that creates a positive community gathering.”

Peter Barry, Vice President, Market Manager of Vox Radio said, “With the musical talent of the Berkshires set against the picturesque backdrop of Onota Lake, Live on the Lake is the ideal venue for local artists to showcase talent. We go to great lengths to make sure there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Record crowds attended each concert last summer and as many as 100 boats dropped anchor along the shores of Onota Lake to view the local acts.

The schedule for 2009 is as follows:

July 1 - Static

July 8 - Sirsy

July 15 – Sounds of Sinatra

July 22 – Jill Gallagher Band


July 29 – Hot Totti

August 5 – Tony Lee Thomas Band

August 12 - Wishface

August 19 - Rev Tor

August 26 - Grind

Victoria May, Manager of Marketing Promotions and Partnerships with Greylock Federal, said that a shuttle service will be offered again this year for people parking at Taconic High School. “These concerts are extremely popular and we want to accommodate people with extra parking at Taconic High School. The shuttle holds 15 people and departs every 15 minutes.” In addition to the shuttle, parking will be available on Vin Hebert Boulevard.

The Pittsfield Police Department would like to remind those who attend that alcohol is not permitted at Burbank Park during these concerts and no parking is allowed on Lakeway Drive Extension (located off Pecks Road). The Pittsfield Police Department will be on patrol during these shows and parking violations will be given as needed.

About  Live 95.9:

Live 95.9 WBEC FM is part of the Vox Berkshire Radio Group, and plays hits from the eighties nineties and today. Live 95.9’s broadcast studios are at 211 Jason Street in Pittsfield. More information is available at www.live959.com.

About Greylock Federal Credit Union:

Greylock Federal Credit Union was recently rated the top credit union in the United States for total value returned to Members/Owners according to Callahan & Associates, a national credit union research and consulting firm.  Greylock Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, attends school, worships or regularly conducts business in Berkshire County. Greylock Federal is wholly owned by its more than 65,000 members and offers full-service branches in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, Lee, Adams, North Adams, and Williamstown. More information is available at www.greylock.org.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire Towns Can Tap State Seasonal Communities Resources

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures. 
 
Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).  
 
The Affordable Homes Act identified several communities to automatically receive the designation, including:   
  • All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;   
  • All municipalities with over 35 percent seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and   
  • All municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in Berkshire County. 
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To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes.
 
In Berkshire County, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown have been designated. 
 
"Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts' cultural and economic fabric, but they're also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round," said Governor Healey. "That's why we're committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I'm thrilled that we're offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season." 
 
As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven't accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration. 
 
The Affordable Homes Act created several new tools for communities who accept the Seasonal Communities designation to be able to:  
  • Acquire deed restrictions to create or preserve year-round housing 
  • Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers, so that our public safety personnel, teachers, public works and town hall workers have a place to live 
  • Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents 
  • Create year-round housing for artists 
  • Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment 
  • Permit tiny homes to be built and used as year-round housing 
  • Permit year-round, attainable residential development on undersized lots 
  • Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners' primary residence 
 
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