State Awards $35K to Stockbridge for Local Hazard Mitigation Planning

07:39AM / Wednesday, April 29, 2026Print Story | Email Story

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. – The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded a $35,000 grant to the Town of Stockbridge for local hazard mitigation planning.

Stockbridge will use its award to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), which expires in 2027. Having an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan is a requirement for communities to be eligible for certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). MTTA funding will allow the town to hire a qualified vendor to support updating its HMP.

The funding, distributed through the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance program, is administered by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office and awarded grants to communities spanning from Western Massachusetts to Cape Cod in this round.

These grants were part of a round of MTTA awards made to 25 communities across Massachusetts. In total, $1,108,700 in grant awards were made to support technical assistance for local infrastructure projects across the state.

"Massachusetts is pursuing every federal dollar we can get, and we are making sure that our communities are ready to compete and win," said Governor Maura Healey. "We are giving cities and towns the tools they need to move projects forward, unlock federal funding, and deliver results for their residents. From safer roads to stronger infrastructure and climate resilience, these investments will help communities take action and build for the future."

The Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance program was enabled by legislation filed by Governor Healey, Chapter 214 of the Acts of 2024 ("An Act to Provide for Competitiveness and Infrastructure Investment in Massachusetts") to support infrastructure projects in cities and towns across the state. Governor Healey filed the bill as part of a comprehensive strategy to increase Massachusetts’ competitiveness for federal funding and empower local governments with more resources to pursue federal opportunities.

This is the second round of Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance awards made by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO). In total, FFIO has awarded $2,048,950 in MTTA grants to communities across Massachusetts.

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Victim Identified in Fatal Richmond Crash

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
11:23AM / Friday, October 30, 2026

RICHMOND, Mass. — A 25-year-old South County man died Thursday in the fiery crash on Route 41.

The Berkshire District Attorney's Office on Friday reported that the victim was Christopher Lee Kilmer, 25.

The single-vehicle accident took place on Route 41 in Richmond near 2715 State Road. A Hyundai Sonata driven by Kilmer was travelling northbound when it crossed into the southbound lane and off the road; the car was engulfed in flames when first responders arrived.

According to the DA's Office, West Stockbridge Fire and County Ambulance declared Kilmer dead at 9:53 a.m. when the Fire Department "was able to extinguish the fire."

"It was at this time (when the fire was extinguished) that first responders observed a single occupant in the vehicle and made the declaration of death," according to the press release.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken custody of the body.

On Friday morning, several South County fire departments posted tributes on Facebook to Kilmer, who they reported was a member of the West Stockbridge and Alford fire departments.

"Every first responder carries a fear that one day the next emergency call will involve someone they know, a friend, a neighbor, or someone they love. But perhaps the greatest fear of all is when that call involves one of our own," the post read.