HooRWA to Host Free Screening of 'Dark Waters' and PFAS Discussion

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) is scheduled to host a free public screening of "Dark Waters" on Tuesday, March 24, at 6:00 p.m. 
 
The event, held at the UNO Community Center at 157 River Street, focuses on the environmental and health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
 
According to a press release, "Dark Waters" chronicles the legal battle led by attorney Robert Bilott against the chemical company DuPont regarding pollution in West Virginia. 
 
Following the film, environmental public health scientist Rye Howard will conduct a Q&A session. Howard, the owner of Bear & Bee Books in North Adams, served as an expert witness in the original case against DuPont and specializes in toxicology and research translation.
 
The program is supported by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire and the Mass Cultural Council, with additional support for refreshments provided by the Williams College Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives.
 
Organizers have set an inclement weather date for Tuesday, March 31. While the event is free and open to the public, HooRWA requests that attendees register in advance at HooRWA.org to assist with logistical planning.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

McCann Committee Gets First Look at $17M Renovation Progress

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

The project is in the home stretch with roofing and some windows and doors still to be installed. Superintendent James Brosnan also pointed above to HVAC improvements in the Guidance Office. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The McCann School Committee got a first look at the final stretch of a $17 million overhaul aimed at making the 64-year-old vocational school safer, quieter and more energy-efficient.

After a brief School Committee meeting Thursday, Superintendent James Brosnan led the members through the school, highlighting some of the changes made in the 64-year-old building.

"Just seeing this gives you a magnitude of the amount of work that goes on," he said.

The upgrades are being funded through the Massachusetts School Building Authority's Accelerated Repair Program and the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District's member towns.

Work was supposed to be completed before the start of the school year, but weather and the removal of materials caused a delay.

The tour was all indoors, and Brosnan told a disappointed committee that he was hesitant to take them onto the roof at night, but said the new roof is near 80 percent down.

"We have another 10, and 10 percent of that missing 20 is in the AVB [air and vapor barrier] and removal phase," Brosnan said. "That particular area is across the front, down the post-secondary ... we are going to pick up from guidance. So we have that plan going through next week. Fingers crossed, within two weeks we will have that piece down."

He said the roof has been built up and insulated for more efficiency.

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories