BRPC's Public Health Program Announces Recent Hires

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Matthew Bryan, Monasia Ceasar, Daniel Hassett, Sophie Carnes Jannen and Nikki Lewis
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) announced the expansion of its Public Health Program through the recent hiring of staff members Matthew Bryan, Monasia Ceasar, Daniel Hassett, Sophie Carnes Jannen, Nikki Lewis, and Jazu Stine. 
 
The BRPC Public Health Program supports Berkshire County and its municipalities in areas including emergency preparedness and response, substance use prevention and harm reduction, community health planning and education, climate resilience, and infectious and chronic disease prevention.
 
BRPC also provides public health inspectional services and public health nursing to municipalities through the Berkshire Public Health Alliance, applied local public health training through the Berkshire-Hampden Training Hub, and supports the local boards of health through Berkshire County Boards of Health Association (BCBOHA). 
 
Matthew Bryan
Matthew Bryan has joined BRPC as a senior planner in the Public Health Program. He holds a BS in Behavioral Neuroscience, a BA in German, and recently acquired a master's in public health, with a concentration in Rural Health. With previous experience in infectious disease field epidemiology, toxic hazards epidemiology, and state-wide Public Health Emergency Response planning, Matthew now manages BRPC's Emergency Preparedness and Healthy Aging projects and will manage the Berkshire and Franklin County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) starting in FY 25.
 
Monasia Ceasar
Monasia Ceasar works as a public health trainer for the Berkshire-Hampden Training Hub hosted by BRPC. In this role, Monasia facilitates training efforts for Hampden County communities in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's workforce standards. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master's degree in public health from the University of Bridgeport and is a Registered Sanitarian (RS).
 
Daniel Hassett
Daniel Hassett is the Public Health Housing Specialist within the Berkshire Public Health Alliance.  Thanks to a state Public Health Excellence (PHE) grant, Hassett is available to Berkshire Public Health Alliance member municipalities for assistance in conducting environmental health inspections and enforcing the housing code and local regulations. He also helps to administer the Berkshire Country Board of Health Association septic installer certification program and assists with the Berkshire-Hampden Training Hub.  He earned a bachelor's degree in biology with a chemistry minor from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is currently pursuing his designation as a Registered Sanitarian.
 
Sophie Carnes Jannen
Sophie Carnes Jannen is a public health nurse educator at BRPC. She holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and nursing and a master's degree in nursing. As a nurse, Sophie has worked in community health, with experience in mobile health and harm reduction. She has also taught health and nursing classes at the college level. In her current position, Sophie will assist in county-wide health promotion through local education and wellness programs.
 
Nikki Lewis
Nikki Lewis has been hired as a senior planner at BRPC. Lewis holds a bachelor's degree in health science and a Master of Public Health degree in biostatistics and epidemiology. For the past five years, she's worked with community coalitions on substance use initiatives, including in her previous role as the Community Data Manager for the HEALing Communities Study in Pittsfield and North Adams. In her current role, Lewis co-manages substance use initiatives, including grants focused on youth substance use prevention and overdose prevention and cofacilitates the Berkshire Overdose Addiction Prevention Collaborative (BOAPC).
 
Jazu Stine
Jazu Stine recently joined BRPC as a Public Health Food Specialist, Inspector, and ServSafe instructor. In addition to providing health inspections to Berkshire Public Health Alliance member municipalities, Jazu will concentrate on food safety training with the Berkshire-Hampden Training Hub. With 15+ years in the restaurant and food service/retail industry, he brings a wide range of food handling experience. He previously owned a small, regionally sourced, whole-animal butcher shop that was USDA-inspected and State Certified for restaurant wholesale. He has spent most of his life educating, from home building to studio arts. As a food specialist, he has taught topics including knife skills, cooking techniques, charcuterie production, and whole animal processing, always prioritizing safety and the pursuit of knowledge.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: Lincoln Log Home Near Onota

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a Lincoln Log home with beautiful views and plenty of room to roam? Then this is the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 1020 Cascade St.

This 1995 home features three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It is 2,662 square feet on 19.20 acres.

The home's first floor is open and includes hardwood floors, full bath and laundry room, and a large living room with a stone gas fireplace and vaulted ceiling, entertaining lots of natural light. The second floor has a primary bedroom with en suite and two bedrooms and a bath. 

Outside, there's a covered front porch and a large new Trex deck in the back. The house also has an attached two-car garage and a walkout basement, plus a barn and shed.

The home is listed for $975,000.

There will be an open house for this home Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We spoke to Amy Wood with Steepleview Realty, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

I think what is unique about this property is that it truly is its own private oasis; from a 2,662 square feet, thermal insulated log home with plenty of natural light and modern amenities, to over 19 private acres with multiple trails and babbling brook. Additionally, the property is ideally located just steps from a 10,000-acre state forest and minutes from Lake Onota — offering trails and water — providing for four-season recreational activities — all within such close proximity.

 What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

A feeling of warmth and comfort. This is a very inviting home with vaulted ceilings and numerous windows allowing for an abundance of natural light; all with a rustic flare and modern updates. It has an open-concept layout on the main level that leads to a large new Trex deck — the perfect scenario for both day-to-day living with the ease for entertaining. The sellers are prideful of their home and the upgrades and their upkeep are reflective of this.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

There are many! As noted before, this is a 1995-built thermal insulated Lincoln Log home; upgrades to the home itself include new Trex deck, security system, bluestone hearth/cultured stone façade with propane fireplace insert, granite vanity tops/counters, new furnace, well pump, garage doors and openers, blow-in insulation-sealed basement, and freshly painted throughout! 

Sellers also installed an EV charging unit and cleared and vapor barriered/graveled the main barn (32x27), which is equipped with both water and electricity. With all the mains taken care of, this is a turnkey home ready for its next owner!

 What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

The property has so many possibilities; I could envision a young family who need size and grounds to grow their family to couples or retirees who want to enjoy all the Berkshires have to offer with room to entertainment and host guests — this property has the ability to fit and conform to any lifestyle. Formerly an equine estate, I could easily see horse lovers back as well.

How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?

Both the feel of the home and its surroundings portray an immense feeling of tranquility and serenity.  Whether from inside the home looking out, or outside absorbing the beauty and views in your immediate surroundings — you're truly met with a calming sense of bliss.

You can find out more about this home on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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