Charles Redd Recognized as 'Community Star' on National Rural Health Day

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems proudly announces that Charles Redd, MS, RN, BHS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer has been named the Massachusetts 2025 "Community Star."

This honor is awarded by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) to recognize outstanding contributions to rural health care. 

 Redd, a Registered Nurse who has led innovative programs at BHS designed to improve access to care in the rural Berkshires, will be featured prominently on the official National Rural Health Day (NRHD) website, PowerOfRural.org, on Nov. 20, 2025. This online platform will highlight Redd's remarkable dedication to rural health alongside other Community Stars from across the nation. 

On the third Thursday of November each year, NOSORH leads NRHD, an annual celebration honoring the selfless, community-minded, and determined individuals and organizations that serve the health needs of the nearly 61 million people living in rural America. 

Established in 2015 in conjunction with NRHD, the Community Star Recognition Program tells the stories of those making a difference in rural communities. Since then, more than 400 inspiring rural Stars have been honored nationwide. 
 
To learn more about National Rural Health Day and to read the stories of this year's Community Stars, visit PowerOfRural.org.  


Tags: BHS,   BMC,   

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Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here. 
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options. 
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC. 
 
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