Legislature secures $100K for Housatonic Water Works Relief Efforts

03:55PM / Thursday, November 17, 2022Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The $3.8 billion economic development bill signed by Gov. Charlie Baker last week includes a $100,000 earmark for Great Barrington customers of a private water company.

Households served by Housatonic Water Works have been experiencing issues with the quality of their water supply, including discolored water due to manganese contamination and rusted pipe ways. High levels of haloacetic acid, which at high levels and long periods of time can increase the risk of bladder cancer, have also been detected in the water.

"Our residents deserve access to safe and clean drinking water," said state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli. "While the complexity of this problem warrants greater resources, time, and effort, I'm proud that this earmark will provide direct help to consumers. My office continues to work closely with town officials and the Department of Environmental Protection to explore all possible avenues for long-term solutions."

The earmark was filed and secured by former state Sen. Adam Hinds.

"It is clear more needs to be done to protect access to safe and clean water, so when this bill was before the Legislature this summer we had to act," said Hinds. "I was proud to file the earmark and to work with Rep. Pignatelli to get it across the finish line."

Town Manager Mark Pruhenski expressed thanks to Pignatelli and Hinds for their efforts in moving this funding to the town.

"We're extremely grateful for this funding and look forward to providing some temporary relief to water customers in the Village in the coming year," said Pruhenski. "This seed money will allow us to get to work on short-term solutions while we continue to explore options for permanent improvements to this privately owned water utility that serves over 800 homes and businesses in town."

The town of Great Barrington is developing a plan for the best uses of these funds to directly assist water company customers.

More information on the steps taken by the town of Great Barrington to address the water issues can be found here.

The economic development legislation in total would funnel nearly $3.8 billion toward hospitals, housing initiatives, and critical infrastructure investments across the commonwealth.

Tags: drinking water, water,

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Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building.

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.

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