Transit Survey Seeks Feedback on TriTown Connector

11:27AM / Friday, February 02, 2024Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The TriTown Connector, in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, asks South County residents, students, employers and employees to complete a brief survey of the TriTown Connector transit service in South County.

Survey participants can choose to enter into a drawing to win a $25 gift card to local businesses, including Big Y.

Researchers aim to learn how the TriTown Connector (TTC) has altered the travel patterns of its riders since the program began in May 2023, and also to obtain a baseline for what travel patterns may look like in rural neighboring communities that don't have a similar "call-for-service" public transit option. TriTown Connector is an appointment-based, low cost transit program serving South County communities.

"We are working to help shape future transportation services, and hope that everyone will participate," said Tate Coleman, microtransit program director of TriTown Connector and principal investigator of this study from UMass-Amherst.

The six-to-10 minute survey asks questions about public and senior transportation in Southern Berkshire County. Questions relate to the TTC microtransit program, but the survey is open to non-TTC users who reside in Berkshire County as well.

"We also encourage people to share this survey link with others," said Coleman.

Tags: transit,

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Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

11:41AM / Friday, December 19, 2025

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond.

According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond.

The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.

"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.

The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.

The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here.

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