A Newsletter for Community Planning in the Berkshire Region
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The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is hosting virtual listening sessions regarding the Seasonal Communities Designation.
Established by the Affordable Homes Act in August 2024, the Seasonal Communities Designation is designed to provide a unique set of housing tools to communities with significant seasonal variation in housing and employment. You can read more about the designation by clicking here.
In each session, EOHLC will provide a brief overview of the designation and the work we are doing alongside the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council to develop regulations structuring the tools it makes available to communities before opening for public feedback.
Regulations are still in development, and as a result, these sessions will not provide definitive answers on questions about final regulations, but rather, will give residents the chance to shape how regulations answer these questions.
Via Zoom (Register in advance using session-specific links below)
· July 9, 2025 @ 6PM – Register Here
· July 17 @ 11AM – Register Here
Questions? Contact: eohlcseasonalcommunities@mass.gov
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Berkshire Municipal Networking - July 15th in Lee
The Berkshire Selectmen's Association, Berkshire Municipal Managers, and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission invite you to an evening of networking with colleagues from neighboring communities on Tuesday, July 15th, from 5 to 7 pm. Tickets are $25/person and are available online.
This networking event is for any municipal officials (elected or appointed) who are interested in attending. This is an opportunity for us to gather and celebrate the work that we do for the Berkshires, and to hear from Anne Gobi, MA Director of Rural Affairs. The event will be held at the Lee Premium Outlets, unit B120, which houses the Smithsonian "Museum on Main Street" exhibit, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America.
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ADU Office Hours announced
EOHLC has announced the start of ADU office hours, beginning this June, to support municipal planners in understanding Massachusetts’ new Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) law and regulations, which became fully effective as of February 2nd, 2025.
Under the Affordable Homes Act, the ADU law protects ADUs up to 900 square feet by-right in single-family zoning districts across the Commonwealth, providing communities with a key resource to address housing needs. Every second Wednesday through November, these sessions will provide an opportunity for planners to engage with EOHLC and ask questions about the new law and regulations.
Please note – ADU office hours are intended for municipal planners, volunteer planning board members, consultants, and RPA staff – they are not intended for the general public.
Upcoming Dates: 8/13, 9/10, 10/8, 11/12. Registration is REQUIRED.
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Summer 2025 GMAC Event for Municipalities
The Grid Modernization Advisory Council (GMAC) is hosting an in-person event to convene municipal stakeholders and community leaders who are interested in and/or taking steps to decarbonize and electrify their city or town. Attendees will hear from a panel of speakers from the GMAC and learn about actions Massachusetts is taking to modernize and proactively plan our electric grid, including the electric-sector modernization plans (ESMPs). Community engagement strategies and recommendations will be discussed through facilitated breakout discussions.
Preliminary Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Location: 100 Cambridge St. Boston, MA 02114
- Light refreshments will be served
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*Registration Required - Stay Tuned and complete the online INTEREST FORM*
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Massachusetts Federal Funding Issue Reporting Form
The Healey-Driscoll Administration is closely monitoring changes in the federal landscape to assess their impact on Massachusetts.
This form collects information about how recent federal actions affect cities, towns, nonprofit organizations, and businesses. Recent federal actions include, but are not limited to, funding cuts, grant or program terminations, and freezes of awarded funding. Please report any issues as accurately as possible, coordinating with colleagues in your community to avoid duplication.
| | The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) Workplace and Fleet Program will now fund level 1 and 2 (up to 36kW) charging station projects for medium- and heavy-duty vehicle fleets, in addition to light-duty fleets. You must have at least one light-, medium- or heavy-duty electric vehicle in your fleet, or on order (proof required before payment issued), to participate in the program. You can apply here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-massevip-workplace-fleet-charging-incentives. If you have any questions, contact massevip.massdep@mass.gov | | |
The Massachusetts Statewide Electric Bike Incentive Program, launched by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), offers income-based vouchers—up to $1,200—to help residents purchase electric bicycles. The program will award about 3,000 vouchers total, selected monthly from April through September.
The program features two types of vouchers:
- Enhanced Voucher: Up to $1,200 for applicants with incomes below 225% of the Federal Poverty Line or participants in qualifying programs.
- Standard Voucher: Up to $800 for applicants with incomes at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Line or participants in qualifying programs.
Participants will also receive up to $150 for safety gear and a bike pump.
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EOEEA's Cooling Corridors grants support tree planting and related activities to mitigate extreme heat and enhance the tree canopy within neighborhoods and public spaces. All applications must include a map identifying the specific locations of trees to be planted, as well as a list of species and sizes proposed for planting, and/or a map specifying locations where impervious surfaces will be removed and the corresponding tree that will be planted in the location.
Applications are due by July 11th. Learn more and apply HERE.
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First Responders – Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act trains first responders and communities in administering and distributing opioid overdose reversal medications. Recipients are expected to provide overdose prevention training and education, engage with their communities and partners, and implement activities aligned with evidence-based, trauma-informed care practices.
Eligibility for this program is statutorily limited to states, local governmental entities, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and tribal organizations. Applications are due by July 22nd. Learn more and apply HERE.
| | | | 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. | | Data & Information Services | | |
2025 State of the County Update
Berkshire Benchmarks and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission are pleased to release the 2025 State of the County Update. Check out significant changes to our regional indicators, such as life expectancy, income inequality, per-pupil funding, and vehicle fatalities, to see how our region is doing and what has changed in the last year.
Download the report from berkshirebenchmarks.org.
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Priority Redevelopment Sites Strategy for Berkshire County
During FY26, BRPC staff will ensure that up-to-date, thorough, and actionable information is
available to support major investments in underutilized properties throughout Berkshire
County. The project will begin with the development of a GIS model to develop a list of potential priority sites. The information will then be analyzed for factors including proximity to water/sewer, major roadways and/or rail access, current zoning, and quality of utilities, including broadband.
BRPC will be reaching out to communities to verify this information, and we look forward to engaging you in this process. If there are potential redevelopment sites you want to be sure we include in our research, please contact Laura Brennan.
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Make a splash exploring how water shapes our land with a new community resource!
The Berkshire region now has a portable stream table demonstration system, available through Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) for municipalities, schools, and nonprofits to borrow. Thanks to MVP grant funding, the stream table is available at no cost to municipalities, nonprofits, and educators in the region. A stream table is a hands-on, interactive model of a river system that shows how water moves across the landscape, how erosion and sediment transport shape streams, and how human interventions or natural changes affect flooding and habitats.
This powerful educational tool is perfect for:
• Teaching students about watersheds, erosion, and flooding
• Training DPW staff on stormwater and stream dynamics
• Engaging the public on flood resilience and nature-based solutions
The benefits include building understanding of local flooding risks, demonstrating the value of natural infrastructure, and sparking ideas for protecting roads, culverts, and waterways.
Check out these videos of recent collaborations and see what the stream table can do for your organization!
To schedule a demonstration or borrow the table, please contact BEAT at team@thebeatnews.org.
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Microplastics Education
In partnership with the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) this year, BRPC has been developing microplastics education tools for the public, food service industries, and municipal governments. The image above shows a public education tool developed by Public Health Intern Angeli Franz for use with children and families. It comes with an interactive activity, easy-to-understand language, and fast tips for reducing the amount of microplastics one consumes. For more information, please contact Jaymie Zapata at jzapata@berkshireplanning.org.
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Berkshire Microtransit Study: Upcoming Community Open Houses
Microtransit is a public transportation service that provides app-based on-demand shared rides within designated zones. BRPC’s consultant, Foursquare ITP, is actively working on the Berkshire Microtransit Feasibility Study efforts. This study will help determine where, when, and how microtransit could operate in Berkshire County.
Foursquare ITP has completed the needs assessment and service gaps analysis. They are currently identifying microtransit service models for the Berkshires, conducting stakeholder meetings, and public engagements. Based on their findings and public and stakeholder input, Foursquare will provide recommendations for a pilot microtransit implementation plan in September 2025.
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We are hosting a series of open houses across Berkshire County to talk about a potential on-demand microtransit service designed to meet local needs. This is your chance to learn more, ask questions, and share ideas. Your feedback is key to making this service work for our community.
Friday, July 18 - North Adams, (10:00 am to 12:00 pm), MassMoCA – Courtyard A
Friday, July 18 - Pittsfield, (2:30 pm to 4:30 pm), Intermodal Center
Saturday, July 19 – Lenox, (12:00 pm to 2:00 pm), Lenox Community Center – Lunchroom
Monday, July 21 – Virtual, (4:00 pm to 5:30 pm). Please register on our website.
Visit our website for details and to take our survey! BRPC Microtransit
For more information, contact Anuja Koirala, Principal Transportation Planner, email: akoirala@berkshireplanning.org
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