No Drought Conditions In Berkshire County

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BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared the Western Region has returned to Normal Conditions. 
 
Drought levels remain unchanged throughout the rest of the Commonwealth with the Cape Cod and Islands Regions, and Millers Basin at a Level 2–Significant  Drought; the Northeast, Central and Connecticut River Valley Regions at a Level 1–Mild Drought; and the Southeast Region at Normal Conditions.  
 
Drought is a look back on conditions over a period of time. Despite some improvements, drought conditions have continued in most of Massachusetts.  
 
During November, Massachusetts received rainfall ranging from 3 to 5 inches, with the Cape and Islands Regions seeing the highest totals. However, when looking back over the past 3 to 6 months, many areas still show deficits in precipitation. The forecasted rainfall is anticipated to bring relief to some regions of the state. 
 
The current drought, which began in 2024, has had significant impacts on the natural environment, including
 the drying of streams in nearly all regions, lower water levels in lakes and ponds, resulting in exposed banks, and impeding fish passage out to the ocean. Watering restrictions were implemented over the summer, and the local water supplies are currently stable. 
 
 The Drought Management Task Force (DMTF) collected and analyzed data from August 2024 through November 2025. 
 
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will continue to assist communities in
managing their water systems. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water supply system is not experiencing drought conditions. 

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Lee: 3 Miles of Route 20 Being Repaved Next Year

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LEE, Mass. — Beginning next year, the state will repave three miles of Route 20 and reinforce two bridges, one over the Massachusetts Turnpike. 

Last week, the state Department of Transportation held a virtual design public hearing for the project. In addition to milling and resurfacing of the route, bridge structures L-05-024 (over Greenwater Brook) and L-05-052 (over I-90) will see maintenance repairs. 

"We just wanted to thank MassDOT for doing this project. We're very supportive of having the road redone and appreciate the work on it," Town Administrator Christopher Brittain said. 

"The town of Lee is looking forward to having the road repaved." 

Construction will begin in the spring of 2027.  

Traffic will be maintained with short-term flagging operations, and steel plates will conceal deck patching over Greenwater Brook. There will be staged construction on the bridge over the highway, with a single alternating travel lane controlled by a temporary signal. 

The project is estimated to cost $6.8 million, 90 percent from the federal government and 10 percent from the state; it is in the FY26 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. 

The hearing included public information on activities and rights-of-way needs for tree trimming, new utility poles, grading, drainage swales, and a driveway apron along the project corridor, items identified during the late design phases. 

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