State Awards Lee TAG Grant

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BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded Lee a $20,000 Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) grant to adress the Upland Disposal Facility. 
 
The Town of Lee will use its award to engage technical expertise to review and interpret information about the Upland Disposal Facility, an area permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the storage of contaminated sediments from the Housatonic River Superfund Site, to provide technical assistance to local officials and outreach to citizens. Contaminants of concern include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), potentially affecting the aquifer.
 
The governor announced $120,000 in  awards to six municipalities and community groups. The TAG Program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), helps communities get involved in cleaning up waste disposal sites in their neighborhoods. The funding can be used to bring in experts, engage more residents, and offer educational resources for the public. 
 
"So many Massachusetts residents care about the environment and are interested in making sure their water and air are protected but get stymied by the complex technical information that informs assessment and remediation," said MassDEP Commissioner Bonnie Heiple. "These funds support local leaders and residents in gaining the knowledge and confidence to actively shape decisions about the cleanup of contamination in their own communities." 
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Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Holds Awards Banquet

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Friday honored outstanding contributors to the Berkshire County sports scene at its third annual Awards Dinner at the Polish Falcon Club.
 
The foundation supports youth sports throughout the county each year.
 
In 2025-26, those donations totaled more than $30,000 to groups ranging from youth football and cheerleading programs, Pittsfield Little League, Northern Berkshire Softball and the Pittsfield Boys and Girls Club Recreation Therapy Program, to name a few.
 
Funds raised by the foundation also go to support its annual Vera Barborotta Memorial Sportsman Scholarship, which this year went to Lee High School graduate Joey Abderhalden and Taconic grad Madeline Harrington.
 
Two other recently graduated high school standout athletes were recognized as winners of the Al Bianchi Memorial Athletes of the Year: Madison McCarthy and Cooper Calvert, both of Wahconah Regional High School.
 
Pittsfield High School girls basketball coach Kristy Conyers and Hoosac Valley boys basketball coach Matt Larabee received the foundation's Coach of the Year Awards.
 
John Castonguay received the Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation Living Legend Award. A.J. Ziter took home the Connie Bianchi Memorial Award of Merit. And Mark Moulton rounded out the honorees with the foundation's Volunteer of the Year Award.
 
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