MCLA Kicks off 2024 Green Living Seminar

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass.—MCLA's annual Green Living Seminar Series returned in January and continues through April presenting a series of lectures on the theme of "Greening in New England." 
 
Presentations occur every Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation (FCSI) Room 121.
 
The series kicked off on Jan. 25 with the presentation "Advancing Sustainability in Urban Residential Neighborhoods of Massachusetts" led by Urban Foresters Samantha Eanes and Sarah Greenleaf from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Urban and Community Forestry Greening the Gateway Cities Program. The program is designed to reduce household heating and cooling energy use by increasing tree canopy cover in urban residential areas. 
 
Future Green Living Presentations include:
 
February 8: Nature Based Solutions for River Restoration and Flood Resilience in New England, Erin Rogers, Western New England Project Manager, Trout Unlimited
 
February 15: WD Cowls- Sustainability is Our Purpose: Perspectives From Massachusetts' Largest Private Land Owner, Arthur Haskins, Vice President, Real Estate & Community Development, WD Cowls, INC. Land Company
 
February 22: Land As Climate Solution for the Berkshires, Jenny Hansel, President, Berkshire Natural Resources Council
 
February 29: National Forest in New England: Management for Climate Resilience That Incorporates Sociopolitical and Economic Pressures, District Ranger Martina C. Barnes, US Forest Service, Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests, Manchester Ranger District
 
March 7: Regenerating Bioregional Food Systems, Hannah McDonald, Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Education Events Manager
 
March 21: TBA
 
March 28: Making Energy More Sustainable in Massachusetts, Christopher Mason, Western Massachusetts Regional Coordinator, Green Communities Division, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
 
April 4: Regulatory Framework for Wetlands Protection in Massachusetts, Sarah LaValley, AICP, Assistant Director, Northampton Office of Planning and Sustainability
 
April 11: Ensuring Everyone Can Enjoy the Outdoors in New England's Sustainable Future, Rachel Hailey, Founder and Transformationalist, DEI Outdoors
 
Each presentation is free and open to the public. All lectures will be recorded and can be replayed on the MCLA ENVI Youtube Channel and broadcast on Northern Berkshire Community Television Channel (NBCTC) 1302 at the following times:
  • Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
  • Fridays at 4 p.m.
  • Saturdays at 3:30 p.m.
  • Sundays at 11:30 a.m.
  • Mondays at 5:30 p.m.

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Moresi Companies Settle Discrimination Allegations

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A local developer and property management company has agreed to pay $40,000 to settle fair housing complaints on its properties. 
 
Moresi Commercial Investments LLC and Moresi & Associates Property Management LLC, owned by David Moresi, were alleged to have discriminated against families with children in renting out apartments at 262-268 Ashland St. and 16 and 20 Blackinton St.
 
The allegations are that the apartments were being advertised as "student housing" and that inquiries from "testers" stating they had children were referred to other apartment listings. Fair housing laws prohibits discrimination, including refusing to rent to families with children or to students. 
 
Moresi has denied the allegations but agreed, according to the agreement, to "enter in this assurance in order to resolve this matter without further costly and time-consuming litigation." The company also agreed to adopt a non-discrimination policy, have employees attend trainings on fair housing rules and to inspect for and abate any lead hazards. 
 
The Ashland Street property was sold last October and the Blackinton buildings last August. 
 
All of the buildings are located in the neighborhood of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, which has historically catered to students. That's changed somewhat in recent years, particularly with the well-known Boardman building being converted into recovery housing. An editorial in the college's Beacon newspaper last year lamented the lack of affordable off-campus housing for students and noted Moresi's apartments were no longer available. 
 
The investigation in Moresi's rentals dates to 2018, when the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center conducted three tests. The first tester inquired about a three-bedroom apartment for themselves and roommates and the second for a couple with a 3-year-old child. The second was told the apartment would not be suitable because of college students on the property and was directed to units in Adams and Williamstown.  
 
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