Letter: Accessing Benefits From Recent Climate Legislation

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To the Editor:

The Berkshire chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby and its partners are hosting a free public forum on the evening of Monday, April 3, that will highlight recently passed climate legislation and the opportunities available to local governments and their constituents.

The Berkshire chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby and its partners are hosting a free public forum on the evening of Monday, April 3, 2023, at the Berkshire Innovation Center, at 45 Woodlawn Ave. in Pittsfield. The event is open to the community, and the reception with appetizers will begin at 5:30 p.m., and panelists will begin at 6:15 p.m.

The panelists are Massachusetts state Sen. Paul Mark, former Undersecretary of Energy and Climate Solutions Judy Chang, Executive Director of Green Energy Consumers Alliance Larry Chretien, and Congressman Richard Neal with a brief message.

The forum, sponsored by The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshire Innovation Center, Ener-g-Save, and Citizen's Climate Lobby, will highlight recently passed climate legislation and the opportunities available to local governments and their constituents. The panelists will explain the benefits of these new laws including job creation, access to immediate rebates, generous tax credits, and more, and will appeal to businesses and individuals alike. The event will be live-streamed on Pittsfield Community Television. Moderated questions from the audience will be posed to the panel.

"I am excited to join local leaders, community members, and climate activists to discuss state and federal legislation recently signed into law and how these new policies can benefit us in the Berkshires," declared Senator Paul Mark. "Climate change is one of the most important issues we face as a state and as a nation and how we respond to this challenge and work to proactively mitigate the negative consequences is going to impact all of us in a tangible way for years to come."

Uli Nagel of Lee, liaison to Congressman Richard Neal's office, shared her concern, "Lack of snow cover in the winter is hurting our local ski resorts, and the drought-like conditions in the summer are difficult for local farmers. Events like these help educate our community; these new laws can help to slow that trend."

Christine Kelly
Sheffield, Mass. 

 

 

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Pittsfield Schools Hear Community Feedback on Morningside Closure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Public Schools are gathering feedback on a potential closure of Morningside Community School before a recommendation is made. 

There were community meetings last week, and if the district holds a public hearing, it would likely need to be before the School Committee's next meeting to inform the recommendation. Officials recognize a "deep love" for the Burbank Street school, and say the decision would not be taken lightly. 

Interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips shared the considerations for a closure with the School Committee on Wednesday: The feasibility of the facility to provide a conducive teaching and learning environment with an open campus design, the funding allocation needed to ensure Morningside students can have equitable learning opportunities, and declining enrollment across Pittsfield elementary schools.  

Staff and community meetings were held on Monday and Thursday. One of the interim superintendent's takeaways after meeting with faculty was their commitment to caring for students and the school. 

"So it was with heaviness that they, I would say most of the staff, felt that the facility really is not conducive to our students' success, but they also felt a heaviness because of the love and commitment to the school," she reported. 

"And so I didn't want to not share that, because there is a deep love for Morningside Community School, even though there have been many years where it has been struggling with performance."

Phillips said the open classroom concept is probably the biggest driver, and whether students can receive their greatest education there. This is what raised the question of whether funding could follow students into existing, under-utilized, nearby schools. 

Last Monday, the first of three community meetings were held to solicit feedback about the possible closure of Morningside for the 2026-2027 school year and redistribution of its students to other city schools. Meetings are also scheduled for last Thursday morning and at 4 p.m. at the school. 

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