image description
New solar panels were installed on the roof of Northern Berkshire EMS on Monday.

Northern Berkshire EMS Gets Donated Solar Panels

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire EMS is getting energized with some free solar panels that were installed on the ambulance service's roof on Monday.
 
"We will see savings immediately because the system was donated," General Manager John Meaney Jr. said. "Over time, we are going to be in a good position."
 
The panels are thanks to SolarFlair Energy of Ashland, the installer selected for the Solarize Plus campaigns in North Adams and Williamstown in 2019. The state-sponsored program offered low-cost loans and discounts to encourage eligible households to avail themselves of the renewable energy opportunity. 
 
Once Solarflair hit a certain benchmark with residential systems, it wanted to open up to nonprofits, said Meaney.
 
"They announced that basically nonprofit organizations could be nominated to receive a system donated," he said. "So we were nominated and we were chosen by Solarflair and they are here today putting them on."
 
The system is 15 kilowatts and consists of 16 panels covering about 20 percent of the east-facing roof on the Haqrris Street building. The value of the installation is $12,834.40, according to documents filed for Planning Board approval in March.
 
Meaney said Northern Berkshire EMS is always looking for ways to become more efficient and green. He said if the new system works out, he would be interested in expanding it.
 
"Once we start seeing the savings down the road we would love to possibly expand it," he said. "We are always looking for ways to go green and to help the environment." 

 


Tags: Northern Berkshire EMS,   solar array,   

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

Clarksburg Sees Race for Select Board Seat

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The town will see a three-way race for a seat on the Select Board in May. 
 
Colton Andrews, Seth Alexander and Bryana Malloy returned papers by Wednesday's deadline to run for the three-year term vacated by Jeffrey Levanos. 
 
Andrews ran unsuccessfully for School Committee and is former chairman of the North Adams Housing Authority, on which he was a union representative. He is also president of the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council.
 
Malloy and Alexander are both newcomers to campaigning. Malloy is manager of industrial relations for the Berkshire Workforce Board and Alexander is a resident of Gates Avenue. 
 
Alexander also returned papers for several other offices, including School Committee, moderator, library trustee and the five-year seat on the Planning Board. He took out papers for War Memorial trustee and tree warden but did not return them and withdrew a run for Board of Health. 
 
He will face off in the three-year School Committee seat against incumbent Cynthia Brule, who is running for her third term, and fellow newcomer Bonnie Cunningham for library trustee. 
 
Incumbent Ronald Boucher took out papers for a one-year term as moderator but did not return them. He was appointed by affirmation in 2021 when no won ran and accepted the post again last year as a write-in.
 
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories