Pittsfield Awarded PARC Grant

08:00AM / Monday, December 18, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city was awarded a $500,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant to make improvements to Pontoosuc Lake Park.

The project will construct a shoreline promenade walkway with seating, picnic tables, an ADA pathway, and a kayak/ canoe launch will be built.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $13 million for park improvements and open space acquisitions across Massachusetts. The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' (EEA) is awarding Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC), Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND), and Conservation Partnership grants that will support 40 communities. The three programs will help municipalities and land trusts protect land for future generations by conserving 222 acres of land and improving 18 parks in environmental justice communities.

"Actively investing in open space projects will make our parks more resilient and adaptable to climate change while providing quality and accessible open spaces in environmental justice communities," said Governor Maura Healey. "We are dedicated to supporting green infrastructure investments in partnership with municipalities and land trusts. These funds will provide beautiful open spaces for residents to enjoy and recreate across Massachusetts."?

The PARC Grant Program was established in 1977 to assist cities and towns in acquiring and developing land for park and outdoor recreation. Meanwhile, the LAND Grant Program was established in 1961 to assist municipal conservation commissions in acquiring land for natural resource protection and passive outdoor recreation. Lastly, the Conservation Partnership Grants provide funding to assist non-public, not-for-profit organizations in acquiring interests in lands suitable for conservation or recreation.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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