Common Ground E-Newsletter
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A Newsletter for Community Planning in the Berkshires
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MMA's Connect 351 Conference - Registration Open!
The Connect 351 Conference will be held from January 22 to 24, 2026, at the Menino Convention & Exhibition Center and the Omni Hotel in Boston’s Seaport District.
Register for Connect 351 now. MMA staff are happy to answer any questions about the registration process; please email connect351@mma.org.
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Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds: Virtual Workshop
Learn how cities can use Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to finance water infrastructure upgrades, replace lead service lines, and improve wastewater systems.
Register here for the February 5, 2026 workshop.
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MassDOT Community Culvert Grant Program
The Community Culvert Grant Program provides funding to municipalities for the modernization, repair, replacement, removal, and improved resiliency of culverts. To be considered for funding, culverts must be on a local public way with an existing span of 10 feet or less. Both new and ongoing projects may be considered for funding.
Learn more about the Culvert Grant Program. Applications are due January 9, 2026.
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MassTrails Grant Round
The MassTrails Grant Program provides funding and technical expertise for project development, design, engineering, permitting, constructions and maintenance of recreational trails, shared-use pathways.
Learn more here. Applications are due February 2, 2026.
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Green School Works Grants | MassCEC
Up to $19 million will be available to K-12 public schools statewide for the second round of Green School Works grants to implement projects that improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, or mitigate the impacts of climate change. Up to 15% of an award's total funds can be used for project “soft costs,” such as design or project management.
Applications are due February 13, 2026.
Learn more about Green School Works Grants.
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Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF) Grant Program Round 32
Administered by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC), the MPPF is a state-funded 50% matching grant reimbursement program to support the preservation of properties, landscapes, and sites listed in the State Register of Historic Places. Applicants must be a municipality or a nonprofit organization.
Applications are due March 13, 2026. Learn more about how to apply here. The MHC will be offering 3 virtual workshops this January:
Thursday, January 8, 2026 2:00 – 4:00 p.m Join via Zoom
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 10:00 am – 12:00 p.m. Join via Zoom
Monday, January 26, 2026 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Join via Zoom
Have questions regarding the MPPF program or application process? Contact Paul Holtz and Ross Dekle.
| | | | Overwhelmed? Reach out to your BFF (Berkshire Funding Focus) for help navigating grant applications! Take a look at additional grant opportunities and resources on our website: www.berkshirefundingfocus.org. | |
Community Planning
Program Manager CJ Hoss
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Massachusetts Farmland Partnership Program Grants
The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced the awarding of $1.9 million in Massachusetts Farmland Partnership Program Grants to seven groups of organizations across the Commonwealth. The grants, which are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, seek to implement a variety of projects that align with tasks of the Massachusetts Farmland Action Plan (MFAP). An application from Franklin Regional Council of Governments, in partnership with BRPC and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, was one of the seven successful awards in this grant cycle.
The goal of the grant program is to build networks of partners who work together collaboratively to protect farmland, enhance farm viability, and ensure access to farmland as outlined in the MFAP. These projects implement important tasks from the plan to help reduce the speed at which agricultural land and farms are lost to other land uses, help farmers and aspiring farmers access the farmland they need, and help farm businesses remain sustainable and in operation.
The three regional planning agencies will work to develop a template for localized Farmland Protection Plans that can be replicated across Massachusetts. As part of this process, each RPA will work directly with two communities in their respective region to develop Farmland Protection Plans. To complete this work, the project was awarded $268,400.77.
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Community Development & Housing
Program Manager CJ Hoss
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EOHLC awards $2.2 million in CDBG funds to 5 towns
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) announced today that $2.2 million in housing rehabilitation funds have been awarded to five towns across Berkshire County. The funds will be distributed through the Hinsdale-Florida Housing Rehabilitation Program covering the towns of Hinsdale and Florida, as well as the South County Housing Rehabilitation Program covering the towns of New Marlborough, Otis, and Mount Washington. Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will administer each of the housing rehabilitation programs and pair the $2.2 million in CDBG funds with recently awarded housing preservation funds through USDA as well as ongoing Home Modification Loan Program funds.
The Hinsdale-Florida Housing Rehabilitation Program will receive $950,000 to rehabilitate 11 homes across Hinsdale and Florida. The South County Housing Rehabilitation Program will receive $1.25 million to rehabilitate 15 homes across New Marlborough, Otis, and Mount Washington. BRPC also received over $50,000 from USDA’s Housing Preservation Grant to be used in the same towns.
The 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications were submitted to EOHLC in April of 2025 on behalf of the towns and is expected to run through the spring of 2027. The program is open to all owner-occupied housing units with a household that meets the definition of low- to moderate-income as defined for Berkshire County by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). All participating homeowners are kept confidential.
The type of rehabilitation work for each home will be identified through a housing inspection completed by BRPC’s Housing Inspector. The type of rehabilitation work typically includes items such as new roofing, windows, addressing failing septic systems, lead paint remediation, new siding, electrical work, and much more.
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will continue to pursue CDBG applications on behalf of Berkshire County communities. If homeowners throughout the county are interested in being considered for a future program, they should visit BRPC’s website where they can sign up for the Waiting List at the bottom of the page. In addition, they can email the Housing Rehabilitation Program at HousingRehab@berkshireplanning.org for more information.
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Economic Development Planning
Program Manager Laura Brennan
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Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) - NEW Priority Projects
The CEDS Committee is accepting submissions of NEW Priority Projects for potential inclusion in the 2026 Annual Report. Submissions are due by March 13, 2026.
Please use this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CEDSfy26
Have questions? Please contact Laura Brennan at lbrennan@berkshireplanning.org.
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Shared Economic Development Planning Services
If your community needs assistance in pursuing economic development goals and bringing projects to fruition, BRPC's Economic Development staff can provide support. Shared Economic Development Planning offers part-time support, ranging from 2 to 7 hours per week or more, as needed. Sample projects include assisting with the establishment of MCC-designated Cultural Districts, conducting downtown improvement studies, providing economic conditions assessments, or developing full Economic Development Plans, as well as creating communications plans to better connect municipalities with business communities.
Now is the time to connect with BRPC about securing this service for FY27!
For more information, email Laura Brennan at lbrennan@berkshireplanning.org.
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Get to know Jimmy Hall, BRPC's AmeriCorps Member
In November, BRPC welcomed its third AmeriCorps member, long-time Pittsfield resident Jimmy Hall. Jimmy comes to BRPC from Valmet Inc., where he worked in the finance department handling accounts payable and credit card management. While digital equity work may seem like a career pivot, Jimmy is well-suited to this position, given his experience engaging the public as a recording engineer, music producer, and DJ. And even though Jimmy has lived in Berkshire County for 23 years, he says he’s still excited to visit and learn about new towns through this work. “Every new skill is a doorway to a world you’ve never seen. Step through and let curiosity lead the way is my philosophy,” Jimmy says.
Jimmy’s primary focus will be on offering digital literacy classes in the towns of Becket, Washington, Great Barrington and Lee. Much of the curriculum he will be using comes from AARP’s Senior Planet Program (seniorplanet.org), which covers essential skills like video calling, online safety, and telehealth. Examples of classes Jimmy will be teaching in the new year include "Intro to AI" and "Protecting Your Personal Information Online.”
Funding for the project is provided by the Mass Broadband Institute’s Digital Implementation Program. Other activities the grant funds include public space internet at libraries and affordable housing properties and computer device lending to residents who lack them.
To learn more about BRPC’s digital equity work and access free and low-cost resources that can help close the digital divide in your community, please reach out to BRPC’s Economic Development Program at digital@berkshireplanning.org.
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Environmental & Energy Planning
Program Manager Melissa Provencher
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January is National Radon Action Month
Did you know radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers in the United States?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. You cannot see it or smell it, but it can accumulate indoors and pose a significant health risk over time. January is a good time to bring it up because buildings are sealed tight. Windows stay shut, ventilation drops, and indoor air problems can linger longer.
Radon awareness helps make a bigger point. Indoor air quality rarely comes down to a single factor. A building can have radon entering from the soil, particles from heating systems or cooking, and traffic pollution slipping in through the building envelope. As a result, indoor air quality can be improved through practical building steps, as well as targeted actions when a specific risk is identified.
Through BRPC’s Berkshire Clean Air Project, we are building a clearer picture of indoor and outdoor air quality conditions across the region, enabling partners to make informed decisions. That work is paired with education and tools.
If you want a simple way to connect radon action to day-to-day building decisions, our free Healthy Homes and Energy Efficiency Guide includes a section on radon. It covers why testing matters, when testing is recommended, and how mitigation connects to ventilation and building performance. It is easy to share across departments or with your broader community. The EPA’s radon resources are also worth exploring if you need guidance.
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ECO One Stop Opens in January!
ECO One Stop, the new state initiative designed to simplify the application process for climate and environmental resilience projects, will open in January. This initiative pulls multiple state environmental grant programs into one grant portal and funds a wide range of climate resilience and environmental projects including culvert or small bridge upgrade or removal, dam removal, stormwater management and energy resilience projects, land use planning, acquisition, and regulatory updates, tree planting, relocation or retrofit of critical infrastructure and more. Designated rural and small towns are exempt from the required 10% match (cash or in-kind contributions).
Register for ONE of the two scheduled informational webinars (below) for an overview of the grant process, a review this round’s participating grant programs and combined application and to have your questions answer your questions.
EEA is also hosting a “How-To” Grant Management System webinar which will guide you through the process of creating an account, navigating the system and submitting an application:
Key websites for ECO One Stop include:
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Public Health
Program Manager Laura Kittross
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Cheer Without the Cheers: Helping Older Adults Make Every Moment Matter!
Older adults face heightened risks from alcohol use due to age-related changes in metabolism, chronic health conditions, and medication interactions. Even moderate alcohol use increases the risk of falls, injuries, heart disease, stroke and other conditions, including 100,000 cancer cases per year. Less than half of older adults know about this risk. Our bodies process alcohol differently as we age; just as drinking hits you differently at 31 than at 21, the same amount hits you differently at 75 than 65.
Alcohol misuse in older adults may go unnoticed because symptoms—such as confusion, memory issues, or poor self-care—can resemble normal aging or medication side effects. Nationally, about 20% of adults aged 60–64 and 11% of those over 65 report binge drinking. In 2023, Berkshire County had a 26% higher rate of alcohol-related deaths than the state, along with more than double the number of alcohol-related ER visits. According to Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) patient data for elderly patients with all diagnoses, 7.3% had Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) compared to 3.4% at all hospitals. Social isolation further compounds these risks, making routine screening and early intervention essential.
At the same time, youths are drinking less and less every year! In the Berkshires and nationally, only about one-third of teens now report alcohol use. Gen Z (approximately 19-25) now drink about 20% less than prior generations. Young people are increasingly aware of alcohol's risks and are more invested in their physical and mental well being. Local youth in BRPC’s Youth Advisory Boards (YABs) report their own decisions around alcohol use are influenced more by attitudes and expectations set by adults around them, not “peer pressure.” YAB members have expressed concern about the “drinking culture” of Berkshire County, especially use among grandparents and other older adults.
BRPC’s “Cheer Without the Cheers” campaign focuses on the benefits of reducing adult alcohol use while bolstering social connections and promoting strategies for safer consumption. There are many things older adults can do to improve their health, build stronger connections and model healthier behaviors for their peers and younger people:
- Count your drinks. Set a weekly limit. While no amount of alcohol use is considered “safe,” 1-2 drinks per week is considered lower-risk.
- Flip the script by offering guests non-alcoholic/ low-alcohol ("No/Lo") beverages first, such as coffee, iced tea, sparkling water or non-alcoholic wine and beer (the selection is improving!) You can get creative making “mocktails” and other zero-proof alternatives.
- Measure smaller pours and sip slow. Savor it!
- Avoid alcohol when feeling depressed, anxious or lonely.
- Participate in Dry January, exercise plans and other planned breaks from alcohol.
Older adults serve as mentors and leaders for teens and young adults, often without knowing it. By practicing healthier behaviors and showing how you can live a rich life with minimal alcohol, you can help further build a better Berkshires!
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Transportation Planning
Program Manager Clete Kus
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Berkshire MPO FY 2027-2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
We are beginning the process of preparing the FY 2027–2031 TIP for Berkshire County. The TIP is a prioritized, financially constrained list of transportation projects expected to be built over the next several years in the Berkshires. The TIP implements the region’s long-range transportation plan by programming federal-aid funds for transit, highways, bridges, transportation enhancement, bike paths, safety and air quality improvements.
The TIP is a five-year program, which is updated annually. In January of every year, the Berkshire MPO solicits new transportation projects and updated information about active projects that are in the current TIP submitted by local communities. The projects received are then evaluated and prioritized for the upcoming TIP cycle.
On January 5, 2026, the BMPO staff will send out the transportation projects solicitation email and data forms for the FY 2027-2031 TIP. The project submission deadline is February 2, 2026.
Contact Principal Transportation Planner Anuja Koirala (or x18) for more information.
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New Year’s Resolution: Improving Traffic Safety
As 2025 comes to an end, we look back and reflect on those who have been killed by roadway crashes. A candlelight vigil of remembrance was held on December 8th at St. Stephen’s Church in Pittsfield, organized by the Berkshire District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police to honor the victims of drunk driving. Two weeks before, the City of Pittsfield recognized the World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Victims on November 25th. Over this past year, six instances of roadway fatalities were identified in Berkshire County by the Interactive Mapping Portal for Analysis and Crash Tracking (IMPACT) – with four being vehicle operator fatalities, and two fatalities being pedestrians killed by car crashes.
While this year represents the lowest number or roadway fatalities in the past decade, BRPC urges drivers to focus on the road, vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.) to be cognizant of their surroundings, and for everyone to adhere to the rules of the road. This includes staying distraction-free and never operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants.
With these efforts and spirits in mind, BRPC will be continuing its efforts next year to improve our transportation network, including taking steps to eliminate traffic deaths and life-altering injuries in Berkshire County with long-term planning and action through our Vision Zero Action Plan. Learn more at www.berkshiresteps.org.
Any communities interested in working with BRPC to perform studies or retain planning services to improve roadway and pedestrian safety may reach out to Ryan Griffis for further information.
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