Eversource Urges Customers to Prepare for Summer Energy Usage

08:39AM / Sunday, May 04, 2025Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — Following a winter increase in natural gas bills attributed to cold weather and high energy consumption, Eversource is advising customers to take measures to manage energy use before the summer.

The company notes that increased use of cooling appliances during summer typically leads to higher electricity bills, even if the Basic Service rate decreases on August 1.

Eversource offers several energy efficiency solutions and financial assistance programs to help customers manage their payments and reduce energy consumption.

Recommended actions for customers to manage summer energy use include:

Conducting a Home Energy Assessment and weatherizing their homes.
Setting air conditioners to a warmer comfortable temperature.
Ensuring unobstructed airflow from vents.
Using major appliances during cooler parts of the day.
Keeping blinds closed to block direct sunlight.
Switching to ENERGY STAR certified LED lights.
Setting ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise.

Financial assistance programs available to eligible customers include the New Start Program, Flexible Payment Plans, Budget Billing Plans, a Discount Rate for those receiving public assistance, and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

Eversource encourages customers needing assistance to visit Eversource.com/BillHelp or call 866–861–6225 (Eastern Massachusetts) or 877–963–2632 (Western Massachusetts).

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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