Jewish Federation, BNRC to Host Events Aug. 18 and 25

10:53AM / Monday, August 15, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will host two upcoming programs with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC): A presentation on Thursday, August 18 at 10:45 a.m., at Knesset Israel, Pittsfield and a nature walk at Parson's Marsh in Lenox on Thursday, August 25 at 10:45 a.m.

On Aug. 18, learn about the work of the BNRC, its mission to preserve and protect the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Berkshires for public benefit. BNRC staff will highlight The High Road, which is a long-term initiative to make connections from towns to trails along with clusters of conservation land, allowing hikers to explore the scenic Berkshires. On Aug. 25, join BNRC staff for a nature walk at scenic Parson's Marsh, near Tanglewood (170 Under Mountain Road in Lenox).

The free program on Aug. 18 will be presented in person as part of the Federation’s Connecting with Community Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $3 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others.

Reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program. Knesset Israel is at 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield.

For more on this program and other Federation events, visit our calendar of events at jewishberkshires.org.

Tags: BNRC, Jewish Federation,

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Berkshire Concrete Special Permit Continued; Other Updates

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Monday, January 26, 2026

DALTON, Mass. — Frustrations continue to fester with the Planning Board's decision last week to continue the public hearing for Berkshire Concrete's special permit for a third time.

Confusion stemming from a labyrinthine history, questions surrounding the board's legal authority, and illegible documents described as "garbage" by board member Don Davis has delayed the town's yearlong odyssey in mitigating sand from leaving Berkshire Concrete's property.

During the prior two meetings, the board asked Petricca Industries, the parent company of Berkshire Concrete, to provide updated, accurate, and clear plans. However, the documents provided did not answer the questions the board presented during previous meetings.

Board members criticized the documentation provided for the absence of a clear overlay indicating "no-extraction" areas, a lack of information about the proposed work and schedule, unclear depictions of previously worked and reclaimed areas, and the failure to include a definitive reclamation schedule.

Attendees also noted the absence of a sufficient dust mitigation plan, which the town's consultant Berkshire Environmental Consultants, determined was insufficient.

Berkshire Concrete's attorney, Dennis Egan Jr. of Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook LLP, asserted that the 1992 permit, which applies to the entirety of its land, is the foundation to all special permit renewals.

He contends that the yearly renewal demonstrates to the board where Berkshire Concrete intends to mine during that timeframe and the reclamation requirements and dust mitigation plan are unchanged from previous modifications that had been modified in 1994, 2000, and 2013.

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