350Mass Berkshires to Host Climate Action Program at Wander

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 350Mass Berkshire Climate Action has announced a public program, "Bringing Climate Action Home," scheduled for April 7, 2026, at Wander, located at 34 Depot St., Suite 101. 
 
The event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. for a community organization showcase followed by guest speakers at 6:00 p.m.
 
The program is designed to provide resources for individuals involved in home renovations, new construction, or the transition to energy-efficient electrical appliances. The information provided will target a broad demographic, including homeowners, landlords, and renters.
 
Three featured speakers will present during the session:
  • Wendy Brown, AIA, CPHD, of Terra Design-Build, will discuss energy-efficient design for new and existing structures, the Mass Save program, and the local impacts of climate disruption.
  • Joe Carry of Decumanus Green Design-Build will share insights on sustainable building, including net-zero design and construction based on local experience.
  • Amanda Parker from the Green Energy Consumers Alliance will cover the adoption of residential battery storage, window heat pumps, and plug-in balcony solar. Her presentation will focus on the needs of renters and low-income households, including an outline of currently available financial incentives and rebates.
The host organization, 350Mass Berkshires Climate Action, is a volunteer-led group focused on environmental issues at the local and state levels. The group has recently been involved in efforts to convert Pittsfield's "Peaker Plants" to clean energy and advocating for sustainable school building designs.
 
Additional information is available via the organization's website at 350maberkshires.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Holds Second Master Plan Workshop

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Participants added notes to the sectors  such as transportation, open space and neighborhoods  being reviewed by the Master Plan Steering Committee. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city is about halfway through developing its new master plan, and held a second community workshop this past Thursday. 

"Basically, we're talking to people from Pittsfield and trying to figure out, among a broad sector of issues that affect us, what is our goal and vision for the next 10 years, where we want Pittsfield to be in 10 years, and what changes do we want to see?" Director of Community Development Justine Dodds explained to about 20 community members and city staff at Conte Community School. 

"That will be broken down into some goals and objectives and then some measurable action items that we can all take as a community to move that forward."  

The Pittsfield Master Plan is the policy guide for future physical development, covering land use, infrastructure, sustainability, and more. The plan was last updated in 2009, and Pittsfield has engaged the VHB engineering firm and CommunityScale consultants to bring it through 2036. 

There have been two public listening sessions, a Master Plan Advisory Committee guiding the work, and small focus groups for each section. On poster boards, residents were able to see and mark the draft goals and actions under six themes: economic development, housing opportunities, transportation and infrastructure, environment and open space, neighborhoods and community, and governance and collaboration. 

In November 2025, community members participated in a similar exercise at City Hall. 

Transportation and infrastructure had several notes on them. Suggestions included using infrastructure to address the urban heat island effect, a light rail system, and continuing to implement Complete Streets standards for roadway construction projects. 

"I want to ride my bike to my friend's house safely," one respondent wrote. 

Under economic development, people suggested digital business infrastructure for the downtown, food hall opportunities, and nightlife opportunities. 

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