BOSTON – Following several weeks of snow and rain, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Central, Northeast, and Connecticut River Valley regions will be downgraded from a Level-3 Critical Drought to a Level-2 Significant Drought.
The Western and Southeast Regions will also move from a Level-3 Critical Drought to a Level-1 Mild Drought status due to improved conditions. The Cape and Islands regions remain in a Level-1 Mild Drought.
A Level-1 Mild Drought require detailed monitoring of drought conditions, continued coordination among state and federal agencies to advance the implementation of water use restrictions, engagement with municipalities, including local Boards of Health, providing technical outreach and assistance to water suppliers and affected municipalities.
"Seeing drought conditions improve across nearly all our regions is encouraging. That said, we need to continue practicing indoor water conservation to fully recover and reduce future drought impacts," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "I want to recognize everyone who has been helping us combat the unprecedented wildfires and drought conditions over the past several months. We continue to express our gratitude to those first responders and ask everyone to exercise caution in their water use."
Over the past month, most of the state received between 3-6 inches of rain and snow, and 6-8 inches in the southeast region. This precipitation is important for restoring normal conditions after last year's severe drought and fire risks. Despite the recent rain and snowfall, streamflow remains low in the Northeast, Central, and Connecticut River Valley regions.
Groundwater levels are also improving in all areas, except on the Cape where groundwater is decreasing, even though it is in the normal range. Residents can report dry environmental conditions they are experiencing and submit photos to support state drought monitoring efforts here.
Below are recommendations for communities and individuals?living and working within a Level 1 – Mild Drought region.
Residents and Businesses:
Minimize overall water use;
Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use;
For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities;
Communities/Municipalities:
Establish a year-round water?conservation program that includes public education and communication, taking advantage of the state’s?library of outreach?materials;
Provide timely drought and water conservation information to local residents and businesses;
Check emergency inter-connections for water supply; and
Develop a local drought management plan (learn more?here).
State agencies will continue to closely monitor and assess conditions across the state, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help federal, state, and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future. The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 at?10:00 AM. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, visit the EEA’s drought and water conservation pages.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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New Pittsfield Mural Designed With Student Input Unveiled
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The Common Wealth Murals team.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new mural is welcoming the community in the downtown area.
The ribbon cutting was held on First Friday to unveil the mural on the ADLib building at 215 North St.
Designed by Boston-based artist Ruby Rose, it was created in collaboration with AdLib, Common Wealth Murals, Mill Town Foundation, Let It Shine!, Pittsfield Public Schools, and local artists, students, and community members.
"We start by talking with the community about what do you want to see in the mural, what do you want this mural to be about, how do you want to be represented with this piece of public art, and then a designer takes all that input and creates a design," said Common Wealth Murals Executive Director Britt Ruhe.
Ruhe's team went into four schools: Conte Community, Crosby Elementary, Reid Middle, and Herberg Middle. They trained the art teachers, one from each school, in how to gather student input for mural design.
But not only did the input go into the mural downtown but also back into their school. Each school chose a different designer, so murals for the four schools will all look distinct.
Students provided verbal and written comments and made drawings. Teachers and students then painted panels in class, which are now being detailed and will be installed back in the schools.
Ruhe said the students showed a lot of love for their city.
"It was really striking to me because we work with schools in Springfield and other places. The kids in Pittsfield love their town, love their city," she said. "They name specific parks and specific restaurants and specific places they love to go, and they really talked a lot about being out in community with their families and friends, and so that really comes through."
Their murals are produced as "paint-by-number" style fabric panels, so community members can physically participate in painting. The community came together for the July First Friday to help.
"Those community gatherings are a place where, when you're standing around a table, working with people you don't know that in the normal course of events you may never speak with, you find yourself just in easy, natural conversation with people because you're all working towards something," said Ruhe. "So we really believe and hope that people can look at something like this and say, look what we made together.
"If we can make this together, what else can we do together? So we hope it's a seed for a community coming together to tell their stories, to plant their hopes for the future, and to really feel grounded in where they live."
Self, an artist and Common Wealth Murals project manager, said they were very welcomed and it was nice to see that the mural reflects the values of the community.
"I think it's beautiful, and I think it's a beautiful reflection of what the Pittsfield community holds value in, and you can just see a lot of community and unity like in this mural," they said. "People of all colors, ages, and styles are included, incorporated, and connected, and like the interconnectedness of the area."
The team started painting the mural on Monday and finished on Thursday. It was painted next to the entrance for AdLib, a nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities so that they can live independently in the community.
Coakley said they have received a purchase and sale agreement but before signing, there have to be assurances that the company has the financial requirements to construct the building.
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On July 6, Gertrude Willey celebrated her 100th birthday, but after more than three decades of volunteering in her community, she says staying active is the secret to her longevity.
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