Eversource Urges Customers to Prepare for Summer Energy Usage

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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).

 

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

Soccer Hall of Fame Adds Members, Awards Scholarships

Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The 2026 CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at Berkshire Hills Country Club on Thursday.
 
The Hall of Fame's mission is to preserve the sport's history in Berkshire County, to honor excellence within the game and to make a connection between the generations that bring communities together. With players who last played on a soccer field in Berkshire County in the 1960s to the scholarship winners at the banquet on May 14th who played their last high school game in the fall of last year, we are achieving our goal. 
 
It is worth noting that this class of inductees is stellar. We have four County MVP selections, 14 All-Berkshire selections, eight All-Western Mass selections and, and nine captain honors, five four-year varsity starters and one five-year varsity starter. 
 
The players were introduced by committee chairmen Al Belanger and Patrick West. The scholarship winners were introduced by Chris Dumas, a member of the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame committee. The photographer for the evening was Ricco Fruscio. Over the past 21 years, the scholarships awarded to high school seniors in Berkshire County have topped $250,000.  
 
The 2026 Inductees:
Katie Dumas Sturm (Wahconah 2015) was a hard-nosed, and relentless four-year starter for Wahconah. She was a two-year captain in the middle of the field, scoring and assisting on clutch goals in big games. She was rewarded with being named All Berkshire, and All Western Mass in her senior year. She is married to Brent Sturm (who is also being inducted into the hall of fame this year) and has a son Banks and a 7-week-old Everett Michael. She works at General Dynamics. 
 
Brent Sturm (Wahconah 2009) was named to the All Berkshire Team in both his junior and senior years and won a Western Mass championship during his time at Wahconah. He also went on to have a stellar career at Wentworth Institute. He and his wife, Katie, are the first husband and wife inductees into the CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame in the same year.  After college, he helped coach the Wahconah Soccer and basketball teams. He works at General Dynamics.
   
Nicole Gamberoni (Lenox 2019) was an impact player on her team for five years while at Lenox making All-Berkshire teams four times. She was captain twice, finished with 107 points, and was the league MVP two times. She also went on to play soccer at AIC. She is working at Lenox High School while she is getting her master’s degree. 
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