BRPC Completes Rehab Work on 14 Sheffield Homes

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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) announced a total of 14 homes in Sheffield have been successfully rehabilitated through the Housing Rehabilitation Program administered by BRPC on behalf of the Town of Sheffield.
 
The $807,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application was submitted to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) in the spring of 2023 and the program wrapped up on Sept. 30, 2025.
 
Of the 14 homes, the household sizes ranged from one to six people while ages ranged from one year old to 94 years old. Each household had to meet the definition of low- to moderate-income as defined for Berkshire County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 
 
For a household of four, that was a household income of $87,600 or less. All identifying homeowner information, including their participation in the program, is kept confidential.
 
The type of rehabilitation work for each home was identified through a thorough housing inspection completed by BRPC's Housing Inspector. The work on the 14 homes included items such as new roofing, windows, addressing failing septic systems, lead paint mitigation, new siding, electrical work, and much more. The average cost per home was roughly $57,000.
 
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission was recently engaged by the Town of Sheffield's Select Board to pursue another CDBG application for housing rehabilitation for the coming year. If homeowners, including those outside of Sheffield, are interested in being considered for a future program, they should visit BRPC's website where they can sign up for the Waiting List at the bottom of the page. 

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Victim Identified in Fatal Richmond Crash

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RICHMOND, Mass. — A 25-year-old South County man died Thursday in the fiery crash on Route 41. 

The Berkshire District Attorney's Office on Friday reported that the victim was Christopher Lee Kilmer, 25.

The single-vehicle accident took place on Route 41 in Richmond near 2715 State Road. A Hyundai Sonata driven by Kilmer was travelling northbound when it crossed into the southbound lane and off the road; the car was engulfed in flames when first responders arrived.

According to the DA's Office, West Stockbridge Fire and County Ambulance declared Kilmer dead at 9:53 a.m. when the Fire Department "was able to extinguish the fire." 

"It was at this time (when the fire was extinguished) that first responders observed a single occupant in the vehicle and made the declaration of death," according to the press release.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken custody of the body. 

On Friday morning, several South County fire departments posted tributes on Facebook to Kilmer, who they reported was a member of the West Stockbridge and Alford fire departments.

"Every first responder carries a fear that one day the next emergency call will involve someone they know, a friend, a neighbor, or someone they love. But perhaps the greatest fear of all is when that call involves one of our own," the post read. 

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