FEMA Awards Funds to Mass for COVID-19 Homeless Quarantine Costs

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BOSTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency will send more than $4.3 million to Massachusetts to reimburse the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance for the costs of setting up a quarantine shelter for homeless populations who were infected during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The $4,345,945 Public Assistance grant will reimburse the commonwealth for contracting to convert the shuttered medical facility at the former Newton Pavilion in Boston into a non-congregate quarantine facility between March and June 2020 for homeless individuals who had tested positive for coronavirus.
 
This includes $1,787,791 for general contractor services; $1,493,693 for heating, ventilation, air conditioning & plumbing services; $485,041 for medical equipment (hospital beds and accessories); $350,263 for construction administration; $178,650 for elevator maintenance services; and $50,505 for fire protection services.
 
"FEMA is pleased to be able to assist the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with these costs," said FEMA Region 1 Regional Administrator Lori Ehrlich. "Providing resources for our partners on the front lines of the pandemic fight is critical to their success, and our success as a nation."
 
FEMA's Public Assistance program is an essential source of funding for states and communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency.
 
So far, FEMA has provided more than $1.5 billion in Public Assistance grants to Massachusetts to reimburse the commonwealth for pandemic-related expenses.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: Historic Craftmanship on Park Avenue

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

DALTON, Mass. — Are you looking for a unique estate with historic craftsmanship? Then this is the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 1 Park Ave.

This four-bedroom, 4 1/2-bath house was built in 1913 and is 6,755 square feet (which includes a finished third floor) with more than five acres.

The home is rich in character with wood flooring, a sweeping staircase, and original architectural details that are a rare find.

The main level includes a kitchen with a butler's pantry and a walk-in pantry. There is also a living room with fireplace, a den, drawing room, and multiple porches to enjoy the outdoors.

Upstairs you'll find the primary suite that includes a sitting room and a sun porch. It also has a bathroom with a jetted soaking tub, steam shower, and bidet.

The home also has a four-car garage and its finished third floor is perfect to use as another living space or a recreational room.

The house is on the market for $1,275,000.

We spoke with Sheila Thunfors with Stone House Properties who is listing the home.

What do you think makes this house stand out in the current market?

It is so rare to find a house of this vintage with such exceptional craftsmanship and in such outstanding condition. To replicate would be near impossible and beyond exorbitant in cost. There is a remarkable balance of elegance with comfortable everyday living.

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