image description — Some 6,500 of these low-lying solar panels will be installed on Silver Lake Boulevard this summer.

WMECo Solar Array Prompts Interest in Business Park

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
07:27PM / Monday, June 21, 2010Print Story | Email Story

Peter Clarke, president of WMECo, speaks about the $10 million, 1.8-MW project in Pittsfield's William Stanley Business Park.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The empty lot across from Silver Lake will soon be sprouting thousands of solar panels as Western Massachusetts Electric Co. installs the biggest solar array in New England thus far.

The crop may also have business blooming at the long-gestating William Stanley Business Park, William M. Hines Sr. said Monday as partners, stakeholders and local officials gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the 1.8-megawatt photovoltaic system.

"The publicity about the pending solar project has already generated additional interest in businesses who are inquiring about the Williams Stanley Business Park," said the head of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority. "Especially green and eco-enterprises."

The array is the first and largest of its kind in New England, but the $10 million project is just the first solar facility being planned by WMECo. Pittsfield was chosen as the first site after looking at a number of other so-called "Gateway Cities" flush with languishing industrial lands and brownfields.

Pittsfield's "very progressive leadership was what really allowed us to do the deal quickly and get the project done," said WMECo President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Clarke as the heavy machinery could be heard in the background clearing land on the south side of the utility's substation on Silver Lake Boulevard.

The early afternoon sun was high in the sky (WMECo even brought dark shades for attendees) but Hines described the city, the business park and the electric utility as "a true coming together of a perfect storm for this project."

The 6,500-panel installation will be built on eight acres; six owned by WMECo and two by PEDA. In between them is the substation that will allow energy to be distributed into the system.

The empty lot next to the WMECo substation is being prepped for the panels' installation.

Clarke said the cost of the project is being defrayed in part by federal tax credits and that consumers will see a small renewable charge — less than 30 cents a month — over the life of the project. Photovoltaic-produced energy is more expensive now, but he expects costs to drop over the long term as the project is paid off and as green technology advances.

"We know the technology will work, we know it's proven," he said. "We will measure the economics but what we believe ... is that developing larger arrays will bring the economies of scale into play so the fixed costs go down as you spread it over more units."

"We know it's a repeatable progam and we'll demonstrate that this site makes a lot of sense."

WMECo is investing more than $18 million in energy efficiency this year, said Clarke. "We are working with consumers to conserve first and to develop indigenous renewable like solar, maybe someday eventually wind power, to be able to replace foreign oil and coal with renewable energy."

Gov. Deval Patrick has set a goal of 250 MW of solar by 2017; under the Green Communities Act, utilities can produce up to 50 MW. WMECo is authorized for 6 MW and its Pittsfield installation will make up a nearly a third of that.

That project is expected to generate 70 construction jobs and bring in about $150,000 in property taxes for the city once it's completed this fall. The contractor is American Capital Energy of Chelmsford. For the beleaguered PEDA, it finally gets a tenant in the park — one that's sparking serious interest in the former GE site.

William M. Hines Jr., being interviewed by our media partner Berkshire News Network, said the array is sparking an interest in the business park.

"They're starting to see it as a green-energy, green business type of park," said Hines of the recent inquiries. "We've got one interested right now in developing green energy buildings."

Mayor James M. Ruberto said the array and the work done between so many entities — from the city, to the state, to GE, PEDA, WMECo and Massachusetts Electric, and more — showed that together they could "forge something truly dramatic."

"I think it's going to be a great addition to the park as people come in and look at prospective site for their business to see this progressive solar energy that's out here," said Clarke. "And I think it really puts Pittsfield on the map as a progressive city."

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Biz Briefs: Dream Green Expands, Marie's Closes, Advice for Retiring Docs

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
01:39PM / Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Dream Green Offers Secure Data Destruction

ADAMS, Mass. — Dream Green Recycling is now certified to destroy secure data, opening up possibilities for local municipalities and more to recycle their electronics locally.

Owners Patrick Kennedy and Kyle Danforth said this will help them reach new facilities.

"It allows us to do a lot more, municipalities, government contracts, hospitals, big corporate offices, stuff like that, where they need that badge to do the data destruction and know that, it's done the right way, and it's totally wiped out or destroyed," Danforth said.

The certification took about a year to obtain. Dream Green is one of few facilities in the New England area that has the certification, making it easier for customers to recycle their computer devices locally instead of shipping it outside the county or state.

"With us being able to do it locally reduces the carbon footprint and the emissions. A lot of people are like, 'Oh, we're recycling, but we're shipping it all the way to Rhode Island or New Jersey or out of the state.' And it's like, yeah, you're recycling, but you're really not lowering the carbon footprint because you have that tractor trailer truck or the 18 wheeler that's going over the trail and burning up all those emissions," Danforth said. "So yeah, you're recycling, but in the long scheme of things, you're creating a larger footprint trying to do the right thing,"

The team plans to expand on their certification to include on-site data destruction as well as solid state scrubbing to be able to upcycle the product.

"As we grow, we just listen to what the community lacks and try to fulfill those issues and stuff like that, help solve problems along the way. So this was someone who came to us and said something about how it was hard to do stuff with the E waste, and that's why we diversified in it," Danforth said.

Dream Green is EPA Section 608 certified, which means they are also able to handle refrigerants like refrigerators and air conditioning units.

"Our end goal is we want to be the facility like your scrap yard or your transfer station, where we are the one stop shop for recycling," Danforth said.

Kennedy agreed, "our job is to divert as much material from a landfill as possible. We try to divert as much trash from going to a landfill as possible. That's our main objective of Dream Green Recycling."

Dream Green Recycling opened in late 2023 and provides local drop-off and pickup from its locations at 15 Print Works Drive, Adams, and Downing Industrial Park in Pittsfield. It recycles mattresses, tires, televisions and more.

Marie's Closes on North Street

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Marie's North Street Eatery and Gallery closed its doors for the last time Friday, Feb. 27.

Co-owners Neil Davis and Ashley Marie announced their closure on the Facebook on the following Sunday.

"Bringing Marie's to life every day brought us incredible joy, from renovating the space, to opening a gallery, and of course, to preparing wholesome and tasty food for you, which is what we did best. We truly thank you so much for being a part of it."

The gallery held its ribbon-cutting two years ago at its space at 148 North St. The eatery and gallery had grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items.

The two had opened their eatery in the former Maria’s European Delights, paying homage to her through their name and certain menu items.

Financial Planner Specializes in Health-Care Professionals

WYNANTSKILL, N.Y. — Nate Tomkiewicz, a certified financial planner, specializes in providing fiduciary investment management and comprehensive financial planning, with a primary focus on health-care professionals within 10 years of retirement.

Established in May 2025, Tomkiewicz Wealth Management is a registered investment advisory firm.

"I founded Tomkiewicz Wealth Management to cut through the noise and provide the kind of specific, high-level guidance that health-care professionals deserve," said Tomkiewicz. "These are people who spend their careers — their lives — caring for others. My goal is to care for their financial future, ensuring they can transition from a high-stress career to a comfortable retirement."

After nearly a decade working in the financial services industry, Tomkiewicz founded his own firm to offer personalized, client-first experience. Tomkiewicz Wealth Management was built to address the unique complexities faced by doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who often juggle demanding careers with intricate benefit packages, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, he said.

The firm operates as a fee-only fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in the client's best interest at all times. These services include strategies for retirement income, investment management, benefit optimization, tax planning, and planning for health-care costs.

Tomkiewicz Wealth Management serves clients in New York's Capital Region, Berkshire County, and virtually across the country.

For more information visit tomkiewiczwm.com or call 518-219-7323.

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