Free Turnpike Transponders to be Handed Out at Pittsfield Farmers Market

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Jessica Vecchia of the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market have collaborated to bring the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s E-ZPass Van to the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market, on The Common on First Street, on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. to distriubute free transponders for the Massachusetts Turnpike.
 
MassDOT is currently in the process of transitioning to All Electronic Tolling (AET) for I-90, both directions. MassDOT intends to test AET software during the summer of 2016 and to activate AET by the end of the year. A previously scheduled "go live" date in the month of October will occur if software testing goes as planned before September.
 
To help local constituents sign-up for the free transponders, Farley-Bouvier contacted the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market and MassDOT with the idea to have the EZ Pass van at the market. A couple years ago the same initiative occurred and the response was overwhelming. As a result, this year MassDOT decided to bring two vans on Aug. 6.
 
AET gantries, placed over the road and equipped with sensors, will electronically register tolls from vehicles that pass under any gantry. Drivers will no longer have to stop at a toll plaza and will be able to maintain a safe highway speed.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.