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.
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Lanesborough Seeks State Support for Berkshire Mall Redevelopment
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy.
On Tuesday, the Select Board approved a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to request their support for the vacant mall's redevelopment by helping advance transfer of the Route 7/Route 8 connector and considering funding for essential infrastructure.
"We have held discussions with the Baker Hill Road District … which will take the necessary steps to formally petition the commonwealth to take over ownership of the Route 7, Route 8 connector…Your continued support in facilitating this transfer is greatly appreciated," the letter says.
Berkshire Mall owner JMJ RE Holdings has said the potential sale and redevelopment of the mall hinges on dissolving the Baker Hill Road District, a condition of the agreement that, if unmet, would render the contract null and void.
As a result, the mall will continue to deteriorate and the litigation will proceed forward, said Tim Grogan, of JMJ.
Vera Farrell, the liaison to the Baker Hill Road District, said the district board had discussed at one of its most recent meetings that the connector road could be transferred directly to the state, rather than returned to the town; Barrett and Mark were also a part of the discussion.
"The representatives recommended that as an option, that it could transfer the connector road directly to the state, as opposed to deeding it back to the town to dispense it. If we get to that point, that would be a better option to do it that way," Farrell said.
Gabe Thomas carded an even par round of 71 at Stockbridge Golf Club Monday to finish two shots clear of the field and claim the first county individual championship for the McCann Tech golf team. click for more
The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy. click for more
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His water clarifier can physically remove captured material rather than letting the nutrient-rich material settle back into the lake, which occurs when herbicides are used.
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NAMI of Berkshire County celebrated community advocates and gave its annual report on how the organization has been navigating troubling times. click for more