Berkshire County Green Teams Recognized

Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) today acknowledged students from 475 classrooms across the state who participated in the Green Team program, making the 2024-2025 school year the highest registration in the program's history.

Among the 94 Green Teams recognized statewide for outstanding environmental stewardship and educational activities, several Berkshire County schools received particular accolades.

"Congratulations to all of the participating Green Team teachers and students for their accomplishments," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Their initiative and leadership provides an excellent example of how we can raise environmental awareness and promote waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting in our schools, homes, and communities."

Lee Elementary School's Garden program (grades K-5) and Pittsfield High School's Compost Program (grades 9-12) were specifically recognized for going "above and beyond" with their efforts to promote sustainability and responsible leadership in their communities. These schools, along with 30 others across the state, will receive a gift card to celebrate their hard work or to support their Green Team initiatives.

Additionally, Green Teams from Pine Cobble in Williamstown and Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School in Adams were among the 62 participating classes whose students will receive a "Bee the Change" pollinator seed packet for their work this school year.

The Green Team is a statewide program sponsored by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and MassDEP, empowering students and teachers to help the environment by acting in their communities.


Tags: MassDEP,   

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

Pittsfield Company Fined for Asbestos Violations

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has issued a $17,400 penalty to Pittsfield-based Barile Environmental Inc. for asbestos violations that occurred during abatement services at an office building located at 23 Lewis Ave. in Great Barrington.  
 
MassDEP discovered the violations during inspections of the office building in October 2025. Barile failed to follow appropriate asbestos work practices and controls during its asbestos abatement activities at the building site. MassDEP inspections of the facility revealed that Barile personnel were removing asbestos-containing siding in violation of state asbestos regulations.  
 
"MassDEP enforces asbestos regulations so that management of asbestos-containing materials is completed safely," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Regional Office in Springfield. "This consent order requires payment of a substantial penalty and could have been avoided if the proper work practices were followed." 
 
Following MassDEP's order, Barile has completed the required cleanup actions and must pay $14,000 of the $17,400 penalty to resolve the violations. The balance of the penalty is suspended pending compliance with the remaining administrative terms of the order.  
 
Property owners or contractors with questions about asbestos-containing materials, notification requirements, proper removal, handling, packaging, storage, and disposal procedures, or MassDEP asbestos regulations are encouraged to contact the appropriate MassDEP Regional Office for assistance.  
View Full Story

More Lee Stories