BRPC to Present Draft Safety Action Plan

November 5th, 2024

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal funding program is bringing resources to Berkshire County to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on our roads, with the goal of reaching zero.

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) has been developing the STEPS Initiative: the Safe Travel and Equity Plan for our Streets and will be releasing the draft Action Plan for public review and comment on Nov. 4, 2024.

Earlier this year, BRPC, along with their consultation partners at BETA Group Inc., began the development process of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan with public meetings, an online survey, municipal stakeholder interviews, and a comprehensive review of regional crash data. The draft report of safety recommendations based on these findings will be available for public review and comment beginning Nov. 4. An executive summary is available now at https://www.berkshiresteps.org/.

An input session presenting the draft plan and inviting comments will be held at the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), 45 Woodlawn Avenue in Pittsfield, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 6:00pm. The comment period runs for 28 days from Nov. 4 through Dec. 2.

(more…) “BRPC to Present Draft Safety Action Plan”

Berkshire County Sees Over $300K for Digital Equity

October 30th, 2024

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state has awarded more than $300,000 to six Berkshire communities for digital equity.

On Monday, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Massachusetts Broadband Institute announced $1.33 million to communities as part of its new Municipal Digital Equity Implementation Program.

Adams, Cheshire, Florida, Lanesborough, North Adams, and Pittsfield will receive a combined total of $310,332.53 in implementation grants. These support planning projects that focus on internet accessibility, public space modernization, device distribution and refurbishment, and digital literacy.

(more…) “Berkshire County Sees Over 0K for Digital Equity”

Westside Legends Halloween Party doubles as a way to gather feedback on Pittsfield’s Francis Avenue parklet project

October 27th, 2024

Berkshire Eagle

PITTSFIELD — “What do you wish people knew about your neighborhood?”

That was among many questions West Side residents were asked at a Sunday Halloween party that was about much more than costumes and candy.

Specifically, it was for a prompt for a “secret poem” asking residents to describe the Francis Avenue neighborhood in exchange for a prize (a gift card to Target). The responses will give city planners a better sense of how residents want to see the neighborhood transform, and what elements of it they already cherish.

(more…) “Westside Legends Halloween Party doubles as a way to gather feedback on Pittsfield’s Francis Avenue parklet project”

Cultural Organizations Talk Impact on Berkshire County

October 27th, 2024

iBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cultural institutions are recovering from the pandemic and feel their success is interconnected.

Local professionals gathered at the Barrington Stage Company on Thursday morning for a “Networking Before 9” breakfast hosted by the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Pittsfield Inc.

Situated in the theater’s Wolfson Center on North Street, they heard about the cultural sector’s impact on Berkshire County in peak season and throughout the year.

(more…) “Cultural Organizations Talk Impact on Berkshire County”

The Home Modification Loan Program is a ‘huge untapped resource’ for the Berkshires. Here’s how it works …

October 23rd, 2024

Berkshire Eagle

A loan program that can help with housing costs is flying under the radar in Berkshire County.

The Home Modification Loan Program is a state-funded initiative that provides up to $50,000 in financing for homeowners and small landlords needing to make accessibility modifications to their homes.

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has administered the program in the county for three years, but it’s only completed seven projects in that time.

A lack of knowledge about the program, combined with a time-consuming application process, has kept the program a huge untapped resource for the Berkshires, said Brett Roberts, senior housing planner at BRPC.

(more…) “The Home Modification Loan Program is a ‘huge untapped resource’ for the Berkshires. Here’s how it works …”

At the Berkshire Opioid Awareness Summit, a specialty drug court judge calls on providers to dig for the root causes of addiction

October 21st, 2024

Berkshire Eagle

PITTSFIELD — Judge Charles W. Groce III brings his life experience to work with him every day.

Groce, who runs a specialty court in Springfield for people living with substance use disorder, said rather than seeing those he encounters as “others,” he sees in them his own family, friends and those he grew up with.

“I’m a child of addiction,” he said. “But because I’m here, I’m also a child of recovery.”

(more…) “At the Berkshire Opioid Awareness Summit, a specialty drug court judge calls on providers to dig for the root causes of addiction”

BRPC Outlines Busy Year Addressing Region’s Needs

September 28th, 2024

iBerkshires

RICHMOND, Mass.— Berkshire Regional Planning Commission had a busy year addressing the region’s needs through a dozen cross-cutting programs.

Community members filled the barn at Balderdash Winery on Wednesday for BRPC’s annual meeting. The regional planning agency closed fiscal year 2024 with a revenue increase of nearly $858,000 over the previous year, and a total income of more than $6.9 million from grants, local organizations, and nonprofit agreements.

(more…) “BRPC Outlines Busy Year Addressing Region’s Needs”

Massachusetts housing secretary says ADU guidelines are coming. But will they come in time for towns reworking their bylaws?

September 27th, 2024

Berkshire Eagle

Housing Secretary Ed Augustus wants municipalities to weigh in on how the state crafts accessory dwelling unit regulations

When Gov. Maura Healey signed into law the historic housing bond bill last month, it included a provision aimed at encouraging the development of accessory dwelling units to help communities struggling with a lack of housing.

(more…) “Massachusetts housing secretary says ADU guidelines are coming. But will they come in time for towns reworking their bylaws?”

Live in Lanesborough? Your town wants to hear about your hopes for the future of your community

September 12th, 2024

Berkshire Eagle

LANESBOROUGH — Since its settlement in 1685, this town has never formally mapped out its vision for how it hopes to grow and change over the years.

There have been studies — most recently, the 2019 Berkshire Mall Reuse Report and a 2017 Economic Development Plan, as well as a 2006 Open Space Recreation Plan.

(more…) “Live in Lanesborough? Your town wants to hear about your hopes for the future of your community”

Massachusetts thinks building ADUs will help unlock housing opportunities. But what does that mean for Berkshire County zoning laws?

September 2nd, 2024

Berkshire Eagle

Massachusetts lawmakers say accessory dwelling units can unlock the state’s housing crisis one in-law suite at a time. But cities and towns need to move quickly, and zoning rarely does.

Signed into law earlier this month, the state’s Affordable Homes Act greenlit construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, statewide. The legislation removes restrictions cities and towns may have that hinder or slow the development of ADUs.

(more…) “Massachusetts thinks building ADUs will help unlock housing opportunities. But what does that mean for Berkshire County zoning laws?”