New Chief Joins Great Barrington Fire Department

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Scott Turner has joined the Great Barrington Fire Department as its new chief.
 
Turner, who began his job Sept. 1, has 29 years of experience in fire protection service and has served as the fire chief of Three Rivers Fire Department in the Pioneer Valley since 2013.
 
He succeeds Charles Burger, who departed the Berkshire region earlier this year. Interim Chief James Mead has been leading the department since.
 
"We are impressed with Scott Turner's experience and talent in fire protection in Massachusetts, and we look forward to his leadership at GBFD," said Town Manager Mark Pruhenski. "And we are grateful to Interim Chief Mead for managing the department while we conducted our search for a new chief."
 
Turner is a graduate of the Massachusetts Fire Academy, in partnership with the University of Massachusetts Edward J. Collins Jr. Center for Public Management. In 2023, he completed the Chief Fire Officer Management Training Program, and in 2017, completed training as a fire protection officer.
 
Prior to working in fire protection, Turner worked for the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forest Fire Control. He also served as a seasonal firefighter.
 
In his new role, Turner will lead the Great Barrington Fire Department's staff of three paid firefighters and 17 call firefighters. 

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Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Robin's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

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