Berkshire Communities Awarded Recycling, Waste Reduction Grants

Print Story | Email Story
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $4 million in Sustainable Materials Recovery Program (SMRP) grants to 285 municipalities and regional solid waste districts, that will help communities maximize their recycling, composting and waste reduction programs.
 
"Every day, communities across Massachusetts are taking important steps towards environmental protection and sustainability through waste reduction," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "This funding will further empower municipalities to implement innovative programs and policies that are proven to maximize reuse, recycling, and composting."
 
In Berkshire County:
 

Pay-As-You-Throw Program Start-up Funds

  • Monterey $ 2,700.00

Recycling Dividends Program

  • Adams $ 4,550.00
  • Cheshire $ 4,200.00
  • Dalton $ 4,900.00
  • Egremont $ 4,550.00
  • Florida $ 1,960.00
  • Great Barrington $ 1,225.00
  • Hancock $ 1,470.00
  • Hinsdale $ 4,550.00
  • Lee $ 1,960.00
  • Monterey $ 1,225.00
  • New Marlborough $ 1,470.00
  • Otis $ 1,225.00
  • Peru $ 4,200.00
  • Pittsfield $ 17,500.00
  • Sandisfield $ 1,225.00
  • Savoy $ 5,250.00
  • Sheffield $ 4,550.00
  • Stockbridge $ 1,470.00
  • Washington $ 735.00
  • Williamstown $ 4,900.00

Regional Small-Scale Initiatives

  • Northern Berkshires Solid Waste Management District (NBSWMD) $ 1,500.00

Shed or Equipment for Reuse Swap Shop

  • Dalton $ 6,000.00
  • New Marlborough $ 6,000.00
  • Peru $ 6,000.00
  • Savoy $ 6,000.00

Shed for Universal Waste

  • Stockbridge $ 5,000.00
MassDEP's SMRP Program provides funding for recycling, composting, reuse, and source reduction activities that will reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfills and incinerators. Waste prevention and recycling reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing the embodied energy in everyday products and packaging waste and converting it into new products. More than $60 million has been awarded through the program since 2010.
 
This year, 278 communities qualified for the Recycling Dividends Program and will receive funding totaling more than $3 million. This program recognizes municipalities that have implemented policies and programs proven to maximize materials reuse and recycling, as well as waste reduction. Communities receiving funding must reinvest in their own municipal recycling efforts. Under the program, 12 municipalities are being awarded grants of more than $50,000: Attleboro, Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Fall River, Lowell, New Bedford, Newton, Quincy, Springfield, Taunton and Worcester.
 
Additional grant funds are being awarded to support start-up incentives for Pay-As-You-Throw programs, containers to direct mattresses to recycling facilities, wheeled carts for curbside collection of food waste, equipment for the collection of mercury-bearing items, and regional small-scale initiatives.

 


Tags: recycling,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories