A roundup of municipal and development news across the Berkshires
West Stockbridge Opens Dog Park
West Stockbridge held a grand opening for its new dog park on Oct. 5. Michael Bolognino, chair of the Friends of West Stockbridge Dog Park, estimated that 100 people attended the opening, along with 50 or so dogs.
The Berkshire Humane Society attended and offered loose leash training, Irie's Pet Pantry also attended and received donations, and a couple of local businesses sold their dog-related wares.
Some funds were also raised to contribute to the ongoing maintenance of the park.
The park is located on 21 State Line Road.
Fairview Hospital Purchases Neighboring Property
The Berkshire Eagle reports that Fairview Hospital has purchased a neighboring property on 82 West Ave. to be used as a contractor meeting space to facilitate its $70 million renovation plan.
The 4,000 square foot property was purchased on Sept. 25, for $1.1 million.
Dalton Extends Interim Town Manager's Contract
The Berkshire Eagle also reports that the Dalton Select Board voted to extend interim Town Manager Henry H. "Terry" Williams III's contract until Nov. 21.
The town hired Eric Anderson of Connecticut as the new permanent town manager, but with an uncertain start date, the town wants to make sure there is a smooth transition.
The town has been looking for a full-time town administrator since earlier summer to replace Thomas Hutcheson, who retired.
Great Barrington Hires New Town Manager
The Berkshire Edge reports that the Great Barrington Selectboard unanimously approved the hiring of Bourne Assistant Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove as the new permanent town manager.
The vote came during a brief meeting on Oct. 6.
Former Town Manager Mark Pruhenski left his post to take on a position for the town of Middlebury, Vt. Town Planner Chris Rembold has served as the interim town manager.
Developers Propose Battery Storage Facility in Lanesborough
The Berkshire Eagle reports that the California developer Mission Clean Energy has proposed installing a 170-megawatt battery storage field for Lanesborough near the Pittsfield line.
The $100 million project could provide the town with $10 million in payments to Lanesborough over 20 years.
The facility, proposed for a parcel, between the Connector Road and Crane Avenue in Pittsfield, would hold 200 units containing racks of lithium iron phosphate batteries that would connect to Eversource's Partridge Substation in Pittsfield. The facility would store extra energy from the grid during periods of low demand and release it back to the grid when needed.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Pittsfield School Committee to Again Vote on PHS Report Release
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will again discuss releasing a redacted version of the PHS report after confusion over a March vote.
On Wednesday, member Ciara Batory, who has been vocal about releasing last year’s investigation into allegations of staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School, demanded a date for its release to the public. It was indicated that the item can be put on the next meeting's agenda.
"I am done playing the game. The public wants a date of when the redacted PHS report will be released, and I will not stop until I get a date," she said before a five-minute recess was called on the meeting.
Last school year, five past and present PHS staff members were investigated for alleged misconduct, and allegations were found to be "unsupported," according to executive summaries released by the last term's committee.
The School Committee agenda for its March 25 meeting included a "request by Ciara Batory to release the May 2025 Pittsfield High report with required redactions." It was reported that there were threats of legal action if the redacted report were released.
Batory on Wednesday said she did not request that agenda item, and that the motion had already passed. Mayor Peter Marchetti, also chair, said they voted in January to review the redacted version, not to release it.
"I move the committee vote to release a PHS investigation report in a redacted form by February 18, 2026, and I'd like to add to that the School Committee reviews it before its release to the public, to make sure that there is enough to present to the public."
Not even the cloudy, chilly weather could dampen the excitement as hundreds of people visited Onota Lake for MassWildlife's annual spring trout stocking event. click for more
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 65 Crofut St.
click for more
The two are known for their own businesses doing information technology support and repair. Alderman owned QuickFix Mobile Repair and More on North Street until recently and Delsignore owns Berkshire Nexus. click for more
A statewide needs assessment prepared by the the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) for the state's new Comprehensive Housing Plan had a stark analysis of the current status of housing throughout Massachusetts.
click for more