Berkshire Gas: Call Dig Safe Before Starting Any Digging Project

08:05AM / Sunday, May 03, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In recognition of National Safe Digging Month this April, Berkshire Gas, a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc., is reminding customers that state law requires contacting Dig Safe prior to any excavation activity.

The company is stressing the importance of marking underground utilities, even for small jobs like fence posts or mailboxes, to help prevent damage and keep everyone safe.

"Calling 811 before digging is one of the easiest ways customers can protect themselves and their communities," said Charlotte Ancel, President and COO of Berkshire Gas. "Doing so allows underground utilities to be marked in advance, helping projects move forward safely while protecting critical infrastructure. Keeping our communities safe is a top priority, and educating customers about this simple step is essential to preventing injuries and service disruptions."

Berkshire Gas emphasizes the importance of using this free service to help reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and costly repairs. Incidents caused by third?party damage to underground natural gas and electric facilities can pose serious safety risks and disrupt essential utility services. Many of these incidents are preventable by contacting Dig Safe and ensuring utilities are properly marked before work begins.

Call 811 or 888-DIG-SAFE (888.344.7233) and visit Digsafe.com for more information. State laws require anyone who digs to notify utility companies at least 3 business days (72 hours) before starting. Once a request is received, representatives from local utility companies will visit the property to identify and mark underground utilities using color?coded paint, flags, or stakes.

Tips for a safer digging project include:

Plan for gas utility conflicts as part of all underground construction.
Mark out the area of construction.
Properly notify the not-for-profit clearinghouse Dig Safe at 888.344.7233.
Provide adequate training and supervision on a job site to ensure that good construction practices are followed.
Properly maintain all underground utilities markings.
Hand dig around underground gas facilities in accordance with dig safe requirements.
Provide adequate protection and support for gas facilities.
Notify the gas company if a gas facility is damaged or disturbed so they can make repairs if required.
Use and properly install suitable backfill material around gas facilities.

For more information on safety, visit Safety - BGC.

For gas emergencies or to report damage, contact:

Berkshire Gas: 800.292.5012 (Berkshire Gas Emergency Number)

In the event of an immediate threat to life or safety, call 911.

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Free Vaccinations Available Throughout Berkshire County

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Saturday, October 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fall season is also the flu season, which means vaccine clinics are now available.

The Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative will provide public vaccination clinics in Berkshire communities this fall, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. There are about 49 clinics.

The collaborative began during COVID-19 to help vaccinate people across Berkshire County. Berkshire Health Systems started the Get Vaccinated Berkshires website and still manages it. The group works with the Pittsfield Public Health Department, Community Health Programs, and the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative.

"The majority of people will always get the flu [vaccine] because, as I said, if you've ever gotten the flu, you will always get a flu vaccine because it's so bad. And just so you know, the flu is already in Berkshire County. It's an early season this year," said Leslie Drager, who is the senior public health nurse at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

Drager said last year they issued 2,705 vaccines, with more than 1,100 of them being for COVID-19 and more than 1,500 being flu. In total, they were able to vaccinate 1,669 people in Central and North County, in addition to Pittsfield.

Drager also said she will be carrying three types of COVID vaccines this year, which is in high demand.

"We have a high demand of COVID vaccine, which is awesome," she said. "So we're doing a lot of COVID vaccines. Also, I provide Pfizer, and this year I have Moderna and the Novavax, which I think is real important to get out there because the Novavax, a lot of people want, people with long COVID. So I'm carrying all three vaccines this year, which I normally only carry the Pfizer."

Public health departments also can help people access other vaccines such as for measles or meningitis when they cannot get them through a pediatrician, she added.

Using the website, people are able to get vaccines even if they are homebound by filling out a form.

All public Berkshire Vaccine Collaborative clinics are free of charge, but registrants are asked to provide insurance information, when available, in order to defray costs. The clinics are open to anyone 6 months of age or older, the age group recommended to receive an annual flu vaccine and the latest COVID-19 vaccine.

"I always encourage everybody to wear a short sleeve shirt because it makes it a heck of a lot easier to get at," Drager said. "And children, we do carry the nasal flu, the live virus of nasal flu for kids that are afraid to get needles."

Registration is highly recommended for the clinics. Walk-ins may be accepted depending on the number of vaccine doses available at each clinic, with preference given to those who are registered.

"It's really important. I'm really encouraging vaccinations for the schools, because not only you know if the kids are vaccinated and the teachers are vaccinated, the schools won't have the flu go wild right through it," Drager said. "And of course, the best way to prevent infections: washing your hands. So don't touch your face, and wash your hands."

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