BRPC Awarded Stormwater Pollution Grant

07:30AM / Wednesday, April 01, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $267,000 to seven regional watershed coalitions and planning collaboratives to help communities better manage stormwater and keep harmful pollution out of Massachusetts waterways.

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) was awarded $63,225 to work with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) and Waterstone Engineering to improve stormwater planning tools for local communities.

The project will add new stormwater management designs, create a practical guide to help communities choose the right solutions for specific locations, update cost estimates and provide training for municipal staff on the planning tools. MS4 representatives, as stormwater officials, will help shape the work to ensure the tools are user-friendly and effective for public infrastructure projects.

Stormwater is created when rainwater and snow melt flows over hard surfaces like pavement, collecting pollutants like oil from roadways and bacteria from pet waste. This polluted stormwater runoff travels through storm drains directly into rivers, lakes, and other waterbodies—harming water quality and limiting fishing, boating, and swimming. The funding enables regional watershed coalitions and planning collaboratives to develop innovative programs to limit pollution, better detect illicit discharges, manage construction site runoff, and enhance public education and participation in stormwater management.

"Stormwater is one of the biggest drivers of pollution in our waterways," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "These grants strengthen our commitment to protecting water quality by empowering communities to take action where it matters most so we can deliver real, measurable improvements for everyone."

The awarded projects will help communities meet the requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit permits are required to manage stormwater discharges and prevent pollutants from entering storm sewer systems. 260 Massachusetts municipalities are subject to the MS4 permit. The MS4 Permit is issued by the EPA under the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and the projects are selected by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).

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Pittsfield's Highland Restaurant Closing After 90 Years of Business

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:52PM / Monday, August 03, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Highland Restaurant will close after 90 years of serving locals pasta, seafood, and other Italian favorites.

On Sunday, the restaurant announced on social media that August will be its last month in business.

"In 1936, The Highland Restaurant opened its doors with overarching goals of bringing people together, serving great food, and creating lasting memories. For 90 years, generations of families, friends, and neighbors have made The Highland part of their lives. It has been our privilege to be part of yours," a Facebook post reads.

"As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we have also reached a natural conclusion. It is with a rush of mixed emotions that we announce August will be our final month in business."

The eatery at 100 Fenn Street, right next to City Hall, is owned by Pasquale, Gerardo and Dario Arace. The owners wrote that The Highland has always been more than a restaurant: "It has been our family's home and life's work."

They hope that every time people think of The Highland, it is with a smile.

"We are endlessly grateful to our employees, with some being with us for more than 50 years, for their loyalty, dedication, and friendship," the post reads.

"Above all, thank you to the people of Berkshire County and beyond. Your support, kindness, and memories have sustained us for nine decades. We hope The Highland will always be remembered not just for the meals we served, but for the moments shared around our tables."

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