Open House Set Dec. 10 at New Wahconah High

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DALTON, Mass. — The community will have a chance to tour the brand-new Wahconah Regional High School on Friday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m.
 
Public tours of the $73 million school had been expected prior to its opening but completion delays pushed the transfer from the old school to the new into mid-October. 
 
Central Berkshire Regional Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis said in a letter to the school community that the tour's "goal is to ensure that all community members have an opportunity to view our new state-of-the-art learning facility. Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a self-guided tour. While our visitors are touring, Wahconah staff and students will be on hand to help direct and answer any questions."
 
Face coverings are required to tour the school. 
 
Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase a one-foot square section of the gym floor from the original Wahconah for $50 per section, cash and check sales only, in support of Wahconah's Renaissance Program and student activities. 
 
Shawn Therrien, the facilitator of Renaissance, shared that the program's mission is to celebrate the efforts and achievements of students in the classroom and in academic extracurricular programs. At the end of each marking quarter, teachers nominate students for awards in meritorious effort and academic achievement. Renaissance displays certificates to honor the nominated students. At Class Night, seniors who are selected for departmental awards receive engraved pens. Renaissance also hosts the Evening of Excellence during which book awards, certificates, and pins are presented to students for their academic achievements. In short, Renaissance supports the school's commitment to academic excellence. 
 
There is a limited supply of old gym floor sections. Therefore, they cannot be reserved or bought in advance. Those wishing to purchase one must attend the open house.
 
"We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our seven member towns as well as our community members near and far," Blake-Davis said. "Our new facility is proving to be all that we had hoped for in a learning venue and we look forward to welcoming you."
 

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MassDOT, CSX Agree on Improvements to Support Berkshire Flyer, Passenger Rail

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state Department of Transportation and CSX have reached an agreement for local infrastructure improvements that will be a "major step" to making the Berkshire Flyer a permanent seasonal service. 
 
Gov. Maura Healey's administration said the improvements will also help toward the years-long project of expanding passenger rail in Western Massachusetts. 
 
"People in Western Massachusetts have been clear that they want better rail connections, and we're delivering," Healey said in a statement released on Thursday. "This agreement puts the Berkshire Flyer on a path toward permanent seasonal service and invests in the infrastructure we need to keep expanding West-East passenger rail service between Boston and Albany. Combined with new federal funding for modern trains, we're giving people more choices, supporting local businesses and better connecting Western Massachusetts to opportunities across the Northeast."
 
Mayor Peter Marchetti said the Berkshire Flyer is an important asset to the city and that he was grateful for the investment to make it permanent.
 
The Berkshire Flyer was established in 2022, connecting the Berkshires directly to New York City for the first time in a half-century. The Amtrak service was based on the seasonal Cape Cod Flyer with the goal to increase tourism opportunities. The 2026 season expanded service with an additional round-trip, including new opportunities for Berkshire County residents to travel to New York City.
 
The administration also announced that new federal funding awarded to Amtrak for additional modern trainsets will support Compass Rail services, including the Berkshire Flyer and the future Inland Route between Boston, Springfield and New Haven.
 
Under the new agreement with CSX, MassDOT will fund construction of a siding and other track improvements in the Pittsfield area to increase rail capacity and reduce conflicts between passenger and freight operations. MassDOT will also explore the feasibility of a new platform at the Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center.
 
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