North Adams Con Com OKs Tainted Soil Removal on Angeli Street

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Conservation Commission approved and set conditions on a North Adams Housing Authority project to remove soils impacted by lead and arsenic.
 
ECOGenisis, representing the Housing Authority, told the commission last week that the project would remove soil contaminated by an abutting property near the Greylock Apartments housing development.
 
"We are proposing that these two areas be remediated it is only a portion of this Housing Authority property," Myron Ritrosky of ECOGenisis said.
 
Specifically, Ritrosky proposed removing nearly 13 cubic yards of material from the property located at 48 Angeli St. High lead levels were found in the northwest corner of the property and high arsenic levels were found 15 feet to the east along the fence line. 
 
The land at 48 Angeli abuts 360-362 State Road, the former West End Auto Shop. 
 
"The contamination is associated with the abutting property, but the Housing Authority notified these levels of arsenic and lead on their own," Ritrosky said. 
 
The soil will be stored on a concrete area on the south side of the property away from structures. It will be covered and removed as soon as a hauler is able to make the pickup. 
 
"The soil will be excavated and stockpiled on the area temporarily on concrete and removed in short order," Ritrosky said.
 
He said although high levels were detected, they weren't considered an immediate hazard. Because of this, the material does not have to be fenced off and secured.
 
The work will begin as soon as possible.
 
The Conservation Commission set a standard orders of conditions and asked that the Housing Authority submit responses to questions from state Department of Environmental Protection and the commission in writing.

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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