Nonprofit Center Offers Webinar to Help Boards Strengthen and Succeed

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires has partnered with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to host a webinar series entitled "Empowering Berkshire Nonprofit Boards for Success." 
 
The sessions take place virtually on Fridays from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sept. 5, 12, 19 and Oct. 3. The cost is $150 per organization with unlimited participation by staff and board.
 
This training series is designed to strengthen nonprofit leadership and governance. Topics include: board roles & responsibilities, financial oversight and fiscal accountability, recruitment, nominations and retention, fundraising and development, orientation and training for new board members, alternative governance models and nonprofit life cycles. There will be opportunities to exchange ideas, explore best practices, and build connections with other nonprofit leaders—helping organizations create strong and effective boards. Participants will leave with several practical tools and actionable steps to increase the effectiveness of their boards.
 
Presenter Andy Robinson provides training and consulting for nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. Over the past 30 years, Andy has worked with clients in 47 US states and across Canada. He is the author of six books, including Train Your Board (and Everyone Else) to Raise Money. He lives in Plainfield, Vermont.
 
For more information and to register, visit npcberkshires.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Housatonic Water Works Penalized for Delayed Treatment Facility

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued a $2,500 demand for payment of suspended penalty to Housatonic Water Works Co. for failure to comply with a July 2025 Administrative Consent Order with Penalty. 
 
The order required the company to complete a manganese treatment plant at its drinking water treatment facility by June 1, 2026. 
 
"It is unacceptable that Housatonic Water Works has failed to meet the required deadline for completing and placing the manganese treatment system into operation," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield. "MassDEP expects the company to accelerate construction of the treatment plant and make it operational without further delay." 
 
Under the terms of the 2025 order, the water company agreed to complete the manganese treatment plant by March 1, 2026, to mitigate ongoing seasonal drinking water discoloration affecting the company's service areas. 
 
MassDEP agreed to suspend the full penalty of $12,360 on the condition that it complied with the requirements of the order. The company subsequently requested an extension of the March 1 deadline, citing pending litigation and related delays in acquiring required construction funding. MassDEP extended the completion date to June 1. The company requested an additional extension; MassDEP denied that request. 
 
Housatonic Water Works had failed to complete construction of the treatment plant. Based on that violation of its order, MassDEP demanded partial payment of the suspended penalty in the amount of $2,500. Penalty costs may not be passed along to ratepayers in any way. MassDEP will continue to track this matter closely until compliance is achieved. 
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