Berkshire County Historical Society Celebrates Plant a Tree Day

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Join the Berkshire County Historical Society on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 5:30 pm as they celebrate Plant a Tree Day with a ceremonial planting of a young American elm "Jefferson" on Park Square. 
 
The tree will be planted to honor the Berkshires' first known environmentalist Lucretia Williams. Williams threw herself before the woodsman's axe to save a towering elm known as the Pittsfield Elm on Park Square in 1789. 
 
"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."
 
This free event is open to the public.
 
"BCHS is very grateful to the Pittsfield Parks Department and George and Alice Wislocki for helping make this possible, said Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "It is a fitting and lasting tribute to Lucretia Williams whose story resonates with us today over one hundred years after her efforts to save the Pittsfield Elm."
 

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Berkshire Concrete Lawsuit Seeks Damages, Continued Operation

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Whether Berkshire Concrete can continue excavating after its permit was denied —and if the town is liable for damages — will be decided in a lawsuit the company has filed against the town, planning board and its members.
 
The suit was filed on behalf of Berkshire Concrete Corp., a subsidiary of Petricca Industries, by Jaan G. Rannik of Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook in Superior Court on April 13
 
Berkshire Concrete is suing for damages and wants the Planning Board's permit denial overturned.
 
The company seeks permission to operate on its entire property, and to have any future permit applications granted — unless they violate previous permit conditions and fail to fix them after formal written notice, or if the Mine Safety and Health Administration finds a public health danger requiring new restrictions.
 
It also requests that if a future renewal is denied for a violation and Berkshire Concrete disputes it or claims it didn't have time to fix, operations can continue until a  final decision is made.
 
The company claims the town breached its 1992 contract with Berkshire Concrete and the board exceeded its authority in denying the special permit. 
 
Berkshire Concrete claims that as a direct result of the town's breach of contract it suffered damages of no less than 1.9 million and will continue to incur additional damages. 
 
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