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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Ninja Playground in Lee Begins Construction, Seeking Sponsors

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
LEE, Mass. — After almost two years of fundraising and planning, the Neighborhood Ninjas playground will soon begin construction. 
 
Many teens and adults have memories of running and climbing at a playground, but as they grow up, they age out of the equipment, often geared to kids 12 and under, Neighborhood Ninjas Executive Director Alex Katz said. 
 
The nonprofit Neighborhood Ninjas has worked to create something that kids can grow into, allowing teens, adults, and seniors to rediscover the love for play, including the nostalgic game, the floor is lava, she said. 
 
The 15 ninja-style obstacles, including cargo nets, rope climbs, cliffhangers, ascending monkey bars, and more set on accessible, cushioned playground turf called Forever Lawn designed  with a 15-foot safety critical fall height in mind, Katz said. 
 
The initiative also helps address social isolation, especially in teens, and the lack of free recreation, which is a need many communities are experiencing, including Berkshire County. 
 
The Neighborhood Ninjas park is more than a playground; it's a catalyst to bring the families and community together to build on physical and mental health, Katz said. 
 
Neighborhood Ninjas was founded in 2018 by a team of American Ninja Warrior athletes and is made up of social workers, educators, and Ninja Warrior coaches. 
 
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