A Newsletter for Community Planning in the Berkshire Region
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Berkshire State of Work Summit
From Hiring to Thriving: A New Era of Workplace Culture
Mark your calendar for an important event for all employers, including municipal governments in Berkshire County. June 18th will be a day packed with practical ways to tackle your recruitment & retention, workplace culture, and employee "soft skills" goals.
Read more here: www.berkshirecc.edu/news-events/2025/work-summit.php
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Last Call! BRPC has a limited amount of funding to cover the cost of municipal officials wishing to attend this summit - a $75 value. Please contact Laura Brennan to reserve your spot!
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CPTC Spring Workshop Series - Roles & Responsibilities of Planning and Zoning Boards
The first of CPTC's Spring Workshop series is now open for registration. This workshop is especially timely for new board members and is a good refresher for more experienced members.
This program will launch you into your role as a local official, introduce you to the functions of the two boards, and the main tools of planning and zoning. This session will also include an introductory discussion of the Open Meeting, Public Records, and the Conflict-of-Interest Laws.
Presenter: Bob Mitchell FAICP, Planning Consultant
Date: Wednesday, June 18th at 5:30 pm
Cost: $35
Register at: https://masscptc.org/index.php/training/webinar-series/
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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*
| | Congratulations to the recent graduates of the MMA-Suffolk graduate program, held in Berkshire County for the first time this year. The program is offered through Suffolk University's Moakley Center for Public Management and results in a Certificate in Local Government and Leadership Management. Berkshire participants included: Hinsdale - Clarissa Mitchell; Lee - Jennifer Catolane, Sarah Navin, Sabrina Touhey; Lenox - Jay Green; Pittsfield - Anthony Gattuso, Brandon Gill, Michael Obasohan, Brittany Walsh; Sandisfield -Janey Snyder; West Stockbridge - Marie Ryan; BRPC - Laura Brennan, Brett Roberts. | | |
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 | | |
Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure: Purchasing Strategies and Statewide Contracts
Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General & Operational Services Division
Learn about new legislation that provides municipalities with a path to procure EVs and install charging infrastructure in a single, combined procurement under Chapter 30B.
Webinar - Register Here
June 17, 10 - 11:30
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Municipal ADA FY26 Improvement Grants - Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD)
These grants provide reimbursement funding for:
· Updating a municipality’s ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition plans, or
· Making capital improvements that improve access or remove barriers in municipal programs, services, and facilities.
These applications are available through June 13th at 5pm. Learn more and apply HERE.
BRPC is available to assist communities with grant writing, planning, and implementation
services. Interested communities should email Community Planner Andrew McKeever or call 413-442-1521 ext. 27.
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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.
| | | | 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 Outdoor Burn Season
BRPC assists 28 communities with an Online Burn Permit Program. Now, in its 15th year, the program issued 8,846 permits throughout the region this year. The burn season, which runs from January 15 to May 1, sees its heaviest usage on the weekends in March and April. This year’s total numbers were a few thousand permits less than last year due to poor conditions for burning (red flag warnings or heavy rain). For more information or to sign up your community, contact Mark Maloy.
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Pittsfield Cultural Plan - at the intersection of Art & Community
A cultural plan explores and explains how a community can leverage art to support its residents and businesses and help artists and arts organizations thrive. The Pittsfield Cultural Plan was funded by the National Endowment for the Arts' Our Town Program.
The plan reflects over a year of conversations with residents, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the arts, business, education, faith communities, and social service organizations.
View a brief online presentation about the Pittsfield plan.
The full plan can be found on the LovePittsfield website.
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Upcoming DEP Webinar to cover FY26 Grant Opportunities
Mass Dept. of Environmental Protection is hosting a webinar on June 12 at 1 pm to present the FY26 grant opportunities for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water quality projects. Register HERE.
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Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) has resumed grant-making and has released an RFR for projects that encompass environmental advocacy, educational, and conservation activities focused on improving aquatic habitats. These could be projects that enhance biodiversity, promote smart growth, understand the impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience strategies, promote environmental awareness, and address Environmental Justice (EJ) concerns and communities.
Grants of up to $50,000. Check out the open RFR here.
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Enjoying the sunny days of summer safely
Memorial Day is now behind us, and the warm weather is (finally!) here, which means more time outside. Spending time outside is a great way to stay active, reduce stress, and get some vitamin D. But understanding proper sun safety is key to reducing your risk of skin cancer -- the most common cancer in the U.S. -- in the future.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is radiation that is emitted from the sun and causes damage to skin cells. A common misconception is that sunscreen use is only needed in the summer. However, protection from UV light is important year-round, regardless of the temperature.
Have a few beach days planned this summer? Don’t sweat! There are many useful strategies to mitigate the risks of sun exposure. When you’re outside, you can set up in a shady area under a tree or umbrella to avoid direct exposure. It is important to wear sunscreen even in shaded areas. Wearing lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants offers the most protection from the sun. For additional protection, opt for clothes rated with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). A wide-brimmed hat works better than a baseball cap in protecting your face, ears, and neck from UV rays. Don’t forget sunglasses, which can protect your eyes from cataracts and protect the fragile skin surrounding your eyes from damage. Finally, put on sunscreen before you or children over 6 months go out the door in the morning. Apply a thick layer of sunscreen that is 30 SPF or higher and reapply every 2 hours.
Frequent skin checks can be beneficial in catching precancerous lesions early. Look for moles or freckles that have changed in size or texture, or have irregular borders, bleed easily, or are associated with pain or itching. Any concerning skin lesions should be discussed promptly with your primary care provider or dermatologist.
In other sunny news, the Berkshire Public Health Alliance just bought multiple sunscreen dispensers and is working on dispersing them throughout the community. Think hand sanitizer stations, but for sunscreen. Be on the lookout for these stations throughout the Berkshires!
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Transportation Plan Available for Public Comment
On May 27th, the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) released the draft 2026 Unified Planning Work Program for public comments. This document outlines the planning and work activities which MPO staff will focus on in the upcoming federal fiscal year. The UPWP has four main elements: management and certification, technical support, planning studies and other/miscellaneous activities. The unique focus areas of this years work program include an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) feasibility study for Route 7 through the central portion of Pittsfield, performing a regional crosswalk inventory, developing a transportation asset data catalogue and undertaking a needs assessment of Berkshire County highway superintendents.
UPWP efforts will also direct attention and work on expanding rail and transit service including the implementation of micro-transit service. A consulting firm will be hired to conduct a planning and feasibility study for the southern segment of the Ashuwillticook trail from Pittsfield south to the Connecticut border. Time will be allocated to facilitate the pending RAISE grant along with continuing our vision zero traffic safety efforts and evaluating the Skyline Train for possible scenic byway designation.
More information can be found in the UPWP by clicking here. Comments on this work program are due by June 19th.
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MassDOT Launches Capital Improvement Plan
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has opened the public comment period for their proposed Fiscal Year 2026-Fiscal Year 2030 five-year Capital Investment Plan (CIP). The Comment period will run through Thursday, June 12. This five-year plan includes approximately $18.6 billion in planned transportation investments.
On Tuesday, June 3, BRPC is hosting an online Capital Investment Plan Meeting with our neighboring planning agencies. This meeting is open to the public and begins at 4:00PM. Registration is required to attend this virtual event and can be done by clicking here.
More information, including ways to comment, is available on the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) Page.
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