Adams, Dalton and Sandisfield Awarded Green Communities Grants

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BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced more than $8 million to cities and towns across Massachusetts to fund energy efficiency and clean energy projects. 
 
The Department of Energy Resources selected 57 municipalities to receive Green Communities Competitive Grants.
 
In Berkshire County:
  • Adams was awarded $33,573 to fund energy conservation measures, weatherization and related administrative assistance for the police station.
  • Dalton was awarded $124,397 to fund energy conservation measures, heat pump and attic insulation at the Senior Center.
  • Sandisfield was awarded $54,150 to fund energy conservation measures, heat pump and LED lighting at Fire Station 2.
With the announcement, DOER will have awarded more than $208 million to Green Communities in Designation and Competitive Grants since 2010. These funds have helped reduce municipal energy costs by over $30 million annually and have reduced pollution.
 
"Our administration is committed to helping cities and towns lower energy costs and make public buildings more efficient," said Governor Maura Healey. "These investments will reduce energy use, save money and help communities make the most of every taxpayer dollar."
 
The projects are expected to save about $701,411 each year in energy costs and leverage $3.2 million in utility incentives. Annual energy savings of 28,141 MMBtus is equivalent to the energy use of 320 Massachusetts households. These projects also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,634 metric tons annually, which is roughly equivalent to 3,783 barrels of oil consumed.
 
Eligible projects include installing high-efficiency lighting and building weatherization, upgrading to energy management systems, insulating pipes and attic spaces, and transitioning HVAC systems away from fossil fuels by installing air- or ground-source heat pumps.
 
Under the Green Communities Act, DOER's Green Communities Designation and Grant Program can make available up to $20 million annually to qualified cities and towns.
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Adams Planning Board Cited for Open Meeting Law Violation

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The state Attorney General's Office has determined that the Planning Board violated Open Meeting Law by continuing to deliberate on a matter after adjournment.
 
According to the determination, the violation occurred after adjourning the Jan. 27, 2025, meeting when three board members stayed to discuss permitting concerns for Aisling Mountain Farm, a 22-acre equestrian facility on West Road owned by Kathryn Foley.
 
The board was ordered to amend its meeting minutes within the next 30 days, to include a summary of the discussion that occurred after the meeting was adjourned, to certify to to the AG's Office that it has done so, and to comply with the Open Meeting Law going forward.
 
The ruling stems from a complaint filed by Catherine Foster on Aug. 22, 2025, alleging that the board violated the Open Meeting Law during and after its Jan. 27 meeting.
 
Although filed nearly seven months after the January meeting, the Attorney General's Office said it met the 30-day filing deadline because Foster did not become aware of the situation until it was raised at a July 23 Select Board meeting.
 
"The Open Meeting Law requires that complaints be filed within 30 days of the alleged violation, or if the alleged violation could not reasonably have been known at the time it occurred, then within 30 days of the date it should reasonably have been discovered," Assistant Attorney General Matthew Lindberg said in the determination.
 
"The complainant could not reasonably have discovered that the Board deliberated after adjournment of the January 27 meeting until the issue was raised during public comment at the July 23 Select Board meeting. Because the complaint was filed within 30 days of the July 23 Select Board meeting, the complaint was filed timely as to this allegation"
 
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