Berkshire County Arc Awarded $250K for its New Pittsfield Home

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire County Arc (BCArc) was awarded $250,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank to help offset the cost of building a home in Pittsfield for four men with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
 
"This new home will enrich the lives of four men who need an accessible and supportive place to live," said Maryann Hyatt, BCArc president and CEO. "The list is long for individuals waiting for a residential program like this, and BCArc is pleased it can continue to expand and provide these opportunities."
 
BCArc runs 44 residential programs in Western Massachusetts – from Berkshire County to the Pioneer Valley, supporting individuals with intellectual/development disabilities and brain injuries, along with numerous other programs to support the population.
 
In addition, the Agency employs individuals with disabilities to run a bottle and can recycling center (The Green Redeem) and a fulfillment operation (Speedy Fulfillment). The Agency has 850 staff members and supports more than 1,000 people and their families.
 

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Recent E. Coli Detection in Pontoosuc Lake Confined to Lanesborough

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Only Lanesborough's portion of Pontoosuc Lake had a bacterial exceedance last week. 

During the Lake Management Commission's second meeting on Thursday, members received an update on the situation. 

On July 22, the Lanesborough Board of Health closed the Sunrise Street and Narragansett Avenue beaches due to high E. Coli levels.  They have since cleared. 

"We didn't have any bacterial exceedance in Pittsfield, so there's no concern at all last week for any E. coli concerns in Pittsfield,” Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath reported. 

Regular monitoring for bacterial exceedances at swimming beaches across the Commonwealth is required.  Pittsfield's Board of Health tests Pontoosuc and Onota Lake weekly on Wednesdays throughout the summer. 

Lanesborough also conducts weekly testing through its Board of Health, and an exceedance was reported to the state at Sunrise Beach, at the very north end of Pontoosuc Lake. 

McGrath noted that he did not see Narragansett Beach on the state's dashboard. 

"The City of Pittsfield was made aware of the bacterial exceedance and we, of course, were concerned,” he said. 

"Our weekly testing happened the next day on Wednesday. Our results were returned Thursday morning. We did not have a bacterial exceedance at Pontoosuc Lake Park, where we test off of the wall on the north side of the channel, and also proximate to the boat ramp, at this point in time.” 

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