image description
Windsor was one of three Berkshire Communities to receive funding.

Windsor Awarded $400K to Replace Culvert

Print Story | Email Story
WINDSOR, Mass. — The town was awarded a $400,000 Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance (CRMA) Grant to replace the Dry Brook Culvert.
 
The Town of Windsor will replace a perched and degraded culvert on a tributary to Dry Brook on Cheshire Road, which is an important road between towns for emergency services, commuting, and school bus routes.  
 
The grant is part of a series of grants announced by the Healey-Driscoll Administration totaling over $3.7 million for river and wetland restoration projects throughout Massachusetts.
 
The CRMA Grants, provided by the Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), help municipalities replace outdated culverts with new, improved crossings. These upgrades restore river ecosystems, enhance fish and wildlife passage, and reduce flood risks, improving climate resilience and public safety. The Training Site Initiative will turn some of these project sites into training hubs, creating a network of locations for hands-on learning to teach local roadway managers about culvert replacements in Massachusetts. 
 
"As climate change brings more intense storms and flooding, building resilient infrastructure and restoring ecosystems are vital for Massachusetts. Ecological restoration is key to this effort. DER is leading the charge with nature-based solutions to ensure a strong, resilient future," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to supporting projects that restore healthy waterways and looks forward to continued collaboration with municipalities and partners, so we can expand our impact and help communities thrive amid the challenges ahead." 
 
In Berkshire County, two other communities were awarded CRMA Grants.
 
Savoy was awarded a $62,000 grant to collect field data, perform design and engineering work, and conduct permitting work for the replacement of an undersized culvert on Old Main Road over Phelps Brook, which is a Coldwater Fisheries Resource. 
 
Stockbridge was awarded a $51,500 grant to collect field data for a partially-crushed and perched culvert on Rattlesnake Mountain Road over Marsh Brook, where flooding has been an issue.  
 
The Housatonic Valley Association was also given funding through DER's Regional Restoration Partnerships Program.
 
Berkshires Clean, Cold, Connected Partnership was awarded $248,000 to support a network of organizations, agencies, and communities working for healthy aquatic systems and building climate resilience in the Hoosic, Housatonic, and Farmington River watersheds. This award supports their efforts to continue building local and regional capacity for restoration education, planning, and support the implementation of locally-driven priority restoration projects. 
 

Tags: culvert,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories