image description
West Stockbridge held a grand opening for the town's new dog park on Sunday, Oct. 5.
image description

Berkshire Briefs: Oct. 8

Staff Reports Print Story | Email Story
The dog park is located on 21 State Line Road.

A roundup of municipal and development news across the Berkshires

West Stockbridge Opens Dog Park

West Stockbridge held a grand opening for its new dog park on Oct. 5. Michael Bolognino, chair of the Friends of West Stockbridge Dog Park, estimated that 100 people attended the opening, along with 50 or so dogs.
 
The Berkshire Humane Society attended and offered loose leash training, Irie's Pet Pantry also attended and received donations, and a couple of local businesses sold their dog-related wares.
 
Some funds were also raised to contribute to the ongoing maintenance of the park.
 
The park is located on 21 State Line Road.
 

Fairview Hospital Purchases Neighboring Property

The Berkshire Eagle reports that Fairview Hospital has purchased a neighboring property on 82 West Ave. to be used as a contractor meeting space to facilitate its $70 million renovation plan.
 
The 4,000 square foot property was purchased on Sept. 25, for $1.1 million.
 

Dalton Extends Interim Town Manager's Contract

The Berkshire Eagle also reports that the Dalton Select Board voted to extend interim Town Manager Henry H. "Terry" Williams III's contract until Nov. 21.
 
The town hired Eric Anderson of Connecticut as the new permanent town manager, but with an uncertain start date, the town wants to make sure there is a smooth transition.
 
The town has been looking for a full-time town administrator since earlier summer to replace Thomas Hutcheson, who retired. 
 

Great Barrington Hires New Town Manager

The Berkshire Edge reports that the Great Barrington Selectboard unanimously approved the hiring of Bourne Assistant Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove as the new permanent town manager.
 
The vote came during a brief meeting on Oct. 6.
 
Former Town Manager Mark Pruhenski left his post to take on a position for the town of Middlebury, Vt. Town Planner Chris Rembold has served as the interim town manager.
 

Developers Propose Battery Storage Facility in Lanesborough

The Berkshire Eagle reports that the California developer Mission Clean Energy has proposed installing a 170-megawatt battery storage field for Lanesborough near the Pittsfield line.
 
The $100 million project could provide the town with $10 million in payments to Lanesborough over 20 years.
 
The facility, proposed for a parcel, between the Connector Road and Crane Avenue in Pittsfield, would hold 200 units containing racks of lithium iron phosphate batteries that would connect to Eversource's Partridge Substation in Pittsfield. The facility would store extra energy from the grid during periods of low demand and release it back to the grid when needed.

Tags: briefs,   

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

Wahconah High Club, Green Committee Host Earth Week Activities

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

There was information and games last week at the high school and volunteer and other opportunities this week. 
DALTON, Mass. — Wahconah Regional High School students are cultivating an environmentally friendly atmosphere in its school, across the district, and now, thanks to a partnership with the Green Dalton Committee, into their communities.
 
As the grass continues to get greener many communities are preparing for Earth Day, April 22, but the school's Green Umbrella Club and Dalton's Green Committee question why limit it to one day?
 
With spring break just days away, club members organized several events to promote eco-friendly habits and environmental awareness, from a Family Feud competition, bake sale, golden-trash scavenger hunt, and a prize wheel activity at lunch.  
 
"It brings a more positive association with taking care of our environment," said Ella Scalise, senior and Green Umbrella Club secretary. 
 
School is a very structured environment where students are often directed on what to do. Earth Week activities introduce the topic in a fun and engaging way, with the goal of fostering environmentally friendly habits, she said. 
 
Taking care of the environment is something that some people do not consistently think about so incorporating it in fun activities and events makes it memorable, said Ellianna Chaffee, junior and Green Umbrella Club member. 
 
When the last bell rings, the experience doesn't end, as students can also take part in Dalton's townwide activities, including a guided birdwatch, a walk and cleanup at the Pines Trailhead, Family Feud, and a townwide scavenger hunt, all culminating in an Environmental Spectacular Fair at the Senior Center. Line-up at the end of the article
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories