BEAT Awarded Funding for a Community Commercial Dishwasher

10:44AM / Friday, September 20, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Zero Waste Initiative (BZWI), a program of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), has been selected as a recipient of one of Mass DEP's Reduce, Reuse Repair Micro-Grants.

The award will be used to purchase and install a commercial dishwasher at BEAT's Environmental Leadership and Education Center, located in Pittsfield, as well as to purchase supplies for a stock of at least 100 reusable place settings, including plates, bowls, silverware, glasses, coffee mugs and tea cups, and some serving dishes and utensils.

The dishwasher will be used by BEAT and BZWI to sanitize all dishwares used at BEAT events, both those held at the center and elsewhere in Berkshire County. The 100+ place settings will also be made available to community groups for public gatherings as well as individuals for private parties. Community members will be able to reserve the type and amount of dishes needed in advance, pick them up at the BEAT office, and bring them back for washing after use.

Berkshire Zero Waste Initiative's mission is to help move Berkshire County towards zero waste. This project aims to do so by eliminating barriers associated with choosing alternatives to single-use items, especially plastic foodware, including money and time spent on durable dishwares and their cleaning. Use of this community resource is intended to be accessible to all, and is expected to be in place by the end of this year.

This project will be funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Learn more about the Reduce Reuse Repair Micro-Grants and this year's recipients from Mass DEP.

This educational program is offered by Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Pittsfield. Learn more about BEAT's programs and what they do at www.thebeatnews.org.

Tags: BEAT,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

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

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

View Full Story