Berkshire Briefs: Carousel Horse Unveiled, Mall Road Prepped

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Berkshire Carousel Reveals First Pony

By Larry Kratka

Berkshire News Network


Photo by Larry Kratka
Kali was modeled after 1910 creation by master carver John Zalar.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The first completed handcarved horse for the Berkshire Carousel was unveiled during an open house Saturday night. The nonprofit group is working to build an old-fashioned, wooden carousel and matching museum in the city.

The painted and bejeweled pony is one of 11 currently being carved in the Whipple Street workshop.  Berkshire Carousel Director Maria Caccaviello said there was a lot of research put into the creation of "Kali," adding that hundreds of hours were spent on carving and preparing it for painting. 

Kali is a beautifully appointed Coney Island-style pony that was worked on by many volunteers over the past year. Each horse is sponsored and Kali was sponsored by former Pittsfield resident Mrs. Milton Linder of Phoenix. Kali was modeled after a horse carved by famed carver John Zalar in 1910. 

Zalar was a carousel builder at New York's Coney Island and the original figure was on a carousel that operated in Ocean Beach Park in New London, Conn., for many years. More sponsors and volunteers are needed for the project. Interested parties may call 413-499-0342.



Mall Road Work to Begin

By Al Hartheimer

Lanesborough News

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The contract is signed. The signs are up. The surveyors are at work. There is no work started on the Partridge Road detour yet.

Mark Ringee of the state Highway Department, District 1 in Lenox, said Friday that preparatory work on Partridge Road, clearing brush and widening at some places will start soon. Shortly after the asphalt plants open on April 1, Partridge Road will be repaved. The temporary road from the underpass to the mall will also be built at this time.

Then the two-mile mall road will be closed and the major work will begin. The contract specifies that the reconstruction of the mall road from Route 7 to the mall be completed and reopened by Nov. 15. The section of the road from the mall to Route 8 will be done in 2011. Some $10 million in stimulus funds is being used for the long-delayed project.
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program

DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
 
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
 
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
 
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
 
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
 
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