State Awards Greylock Elementary Project Green Grant

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) awarded North Adams Public Schools $300,000 to support the Greylock Elementary School project.
 
North Adams Public Schools will use the $300,000 in funding to help cover the cost difference between ground-source heat pumps and conventional HVAC at their newly built Greylock Elementary School, serving PreK through 2nd grades.
 
"Investing in clean energy to modernize our schools is one of the smartest steps we can take to create healthier, safer learning environments for our students and educators," said Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "By improving energy efficiency, we lower costs, reduce harmful pollution, and free up valuable resources to support teachers and educational programs. This is an investment in our buildings, the future of our communities, and the well-being of the next generation." 
 
The state awarded over $52 million in grants to help upgrade public school facilities through the Green School Works program. 
 
Funded through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the program aims to make K–12 public school buildings more energy-efficient, lower costs for school districts, reduce pollution, and create safer and healthier learning environments for students and educators. 
 
The program will fund 18 projects across Massachusetts to modernize energy systems while investing in the well-being of communities. Each project benefits student populations where at least 40 percent of the students come from low-income backgrounds, with many of them located in environmental justice communities that have historically lacked access to building upgrades and infrastructure investment. 
 
"The Green School Works funding is going to 18 schools across Massachusetts, from North Adams to Barnstable, highlighting our commitment to supporting public school districts with the tools they need to create safe, healthy, and high-quality learning environments for students and educators. At a time when the federal government is trying to cut education funding for heat pumps and ventilation, I am proud that Massachusetts is investing in programs like this," said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.

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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. 

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