Dalton Committee, BRPC Host Climate Change Preparedness Forum

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Green Committee is hosting a climate change preparedness public education forum on Thursday,  Aug. 3, at the Stationery Factory. 
 
This free event is a collaboration between the Green Committee, the Stationery Factory, and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 
 
The ultimate goal of the event is to educate residents on ways they can reduce fossil fuel by using available funding programs and technology, committee member Steven Marantz said. 
 
"I would say an unprecedented ecological and humanitarian crisis will without a doubt occur if we do not address climate change aggressively," added committee member Todd Logan. 
 
If climate change is not addressed the average temperature of the Earth increases and the tropics will eventually become inhabitable, member Thomas Irwin said. Approximately, 3 billion people, which is half of the population on earth, will be displaced creating "an unfathomable disaster" including lack of housing, food, and resources for the migrants. 
 
"We don't have the resources to be able to handle it and house those people," Irwin said. 
 
"I would say an unprecedented ecological and humanitarian crisis will without a doubt occur if we do not address climate change aggressively," Logan said. 
 
During this free event, experts will speak on navigating funding opportunities for weatherizing and obtaining heating pumps and solar panels for homes, businesses and rentals. 
 
The event will kick off at 5 p.m. in the venue's main stage space that will house MassSave-approved weatherization and heat pump vendors.   
 
Although open to the public, the event is directed toward residents of Becket, Cheshire, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Savoy, Washington and Windsor. 
 
Starting at 6 p.m. there will be a panel discussion with Green Energy Consumers Alliance Executive Director Larry Chretien and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's environmental and energy planner Sherdyl Fernandez-Aubert. 
 
Audience members will have a chance to ask questions following the discussion. Register for the event here

Tags: energy efficiency,   

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Pittsfield Police Chief Retiring in January

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police Chief Thomas Dawley will retire next month after 24 years with the Pittsfield Police Department, and the mayor will appoint his successor. 

Dawley's last day will be on Jan. 9, and he told iBerkshires that it was "just time." He began his law enforcement career in 1995 at the Berkshire County House of Corrections and was appointed police chief in June 2024

"Reasons for leaving are cumulative. I have been in law enforcement for almost 30 years. There is no particular reason for my retirement, I just feel that it is time," he wrote in an email. 

"I love the profession and love this department. The duties, responsibilities and obligations as a Chief are very demanding. It is a lifestyle, not a job. It is a 24/7–365 days a year responsibility." 

According to The Berkshire Eagle, Dawley told Mayor Peter Marchetti of his intention to retire back in April but had kept the decision quiet. Marchetti is expected to choose his successor in the next couple of weeks. 

Dawley, 52, was "honored and humbled" when he was chosen two years ago to succeed Michael Wynn, he said, and he misses being an officer out in the community, as the role of chief is more administrative by nature. He described the officers and civilian staff at the department as "the best of the best" and is proud of the "second to none" dedication, professionalism, and commitment they bring to work every day. 

"Policing is different than it was 10-20 years ago and the profession is being tested daily," he noted. 

"I want a new challenge and preferably something that does not involve law enforcement, but I am definitely not ruling it out!" 

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