Award recipients Rosemary and Larry Harnett, center, with United Way President Thomas Bernard and board Chair Laurie Gallagher.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 100 guests joined Berkshire United Way at Bousquet Mountain Lodge last week to celebrate the spirit of philanthropy and to honor Rosemary and Larry Harnett, longtime Berkshire United Way supporters, with the Ruth P. and Nicholas Boraski Leaders in Philanthropy Award.
The event also announced Berkshire United Way's 2023-2024 grant award recipients. With the support of more than 3,000 donors, Berkshire United Way awarded just more than $1 million in grants to 28 organizations, including five new first-time grant recipients. This investment will enable its partners to serve the community during the funding year from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.
"At Berkshire United Way, our ability to convene, collaborate, and create solutions is our superpower," said Berkshire United Way President and CEO Tom Bernard. "It's how we help bring visibility to community needs and work to create community-based solutions, and it's something we are able to do thanks to our many generous donors and supporters. As Larry Harnett reminded us, it's work we are called to do and to support because so often we can see ourselves in the needs of others."
As part of this year's application process, BUW piloted a general operating support model that allowed agencies the option to apply for a grant to support their mission any way they see fit, while still working within one of BUW's three priority areas: early childhood development, positive youth development, or economic prosperity.
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Pittsfield Officials: Unlimited Trash Not Sustainable, Toters Offer Cost-Savings
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Unlimited trash pickup is not sustainable and will lead to higher taxes, city officials say.
Mayor Peter Marchetti began public outreach on Monday on the proposed five-year contract with Casella Waste Management for solid waste and recyclables. Older residents packed into the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center for the first of three community meetings.
On the table is a move to automated pickup utilizing 48-gallon toters, which would be at no cost to residents unless they require additional toters and would save the city $80,000 per year.
The goal is to execute a contract by July 1, the start of the fiscal year.
"Trash collection is not free. You're already paying for it as part of your taxes that you pay. In this administration, in this proposal there is no 'I'm looking to create a trash tax,''' Marchetti said, explaining that trash pickup for fiscal year 2025 is around $5.1 million and has doubled since he first served on the council in 2002.
"So we need to find a way to stem the cost of trash."
Some of the seniors praised the new plan while others had concerns, asking questions like "What is going to happen to the trash cans we have now?" "What if I live in rural Pittsfield and have a long driveway?" and "What happens if my toter is stolen?"
"I've lived in a lot of other places and know this is a big innovation that is taking place over the last 20,30 years," one resident said. "It's worked in most places. It's much better than throwing bags of garbage on the side of the road."
Berkshire Hills County Club is seeking a variance on its pool permit to allow for cost savings on staff members starting next year, including fewer lifeguards. click for more
Voters approved all but one of the 22 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School. click for more