Volunteers Clean Up the Housatonic River

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Saturday, June 29, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) held their first Housatonic River Cleanup of the season.

With the help of over a dozen volunteers, they cleaned out trash and other dumped items from six locations along the River in Pittsfield. 

BEAT also conducted a trash inventory of what was removed from the banks and bottom of the river.  Some of the most notable items included ten shopping carts, multiple cell phones, hundreds of empty "nip" bottles, bicycles, scooters, and vehicle parts—including eight tires, a fender, rims, reflectors, and license plates. They also found an electronic cash drawer, prompting a call to the police, who quickly retrieved the item. 

Collecting data about what is removed from the river allows BEAT to prioritize which areas need further action. The number of beverage containers, especially nips, recovered signifies the need for better systems for capturing and recycling this waste before it reaches the river. One solution BEAT continues to push for this legislative session is an expanded bottle bill, which, among other updates, would increase the current deposit rate from 5 to 10 cents and expand the range of beverages covered under the system, even to include nips. 

Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Since beginning annual cleanups, the efforts of BEAT and HVA have made a noticeable difference, with the piles of trash getting smaller. This was only possible with the help of their volunteers.

Join BEAT and HVA at one of their Housaontic River Cleanups on July 13 and August 10 to make a difference for the environment. Learn more and get involved at www.tinyurl.com/Housatonic-River-Cleanups-2024.

West Branch Housatonic River Cleanups are organized by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and co-sponsored by Blue Q, Panera Bread, and the City of Pittsfield.

Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
07:08AM / Saturday, December 20, 2025

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 

 

"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 

 

The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 

 

The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 

 

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center. 

 

The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 

 

The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.