Common Ground E-Newsletter
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A Newsletter for Community Planning in the Berkshires
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BRPC Annual Meeting October 16th
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 16th at Proprietor's Lodge in Pittsfield. All are welcome!
The event will begin with networking, hors d'oeuvres, and a cash bar at 5 pm. Presentations, including a special guest speaker, will follow.
All municipal officials (either elected and appointed), as well as representatives from our partner organizations, are invited to this event.
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October is National Community Planning Month!
Planning plays an important role in the community and your daily life, often in ways you may not notice. Through design, policy, and community projects, planners work to maximize health, safety, and the economic well-being of community members. We're celebrating the role that planning plays in creating great communities. Celebrate with us!
| | Track APA's planning month hashtags on Facebook: | | | | | |
BRPC Resources
BRPC's website includes several helpful resources for volunteer and professional planners, including:
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Make it Official
Engage your elected officials by encouraging them to proclaim October as Community Planning Month. The American Planning Association offers a template proclamation as part of National Community Planning Month. Download a 2025 version here.
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MARPA and DLS Conference 2025
Please join the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA) and the Division of Local Services (DLS) at the 2025 MARPA and DLS Conference. Save the date and time to your calendar and register now. Additional information about the conference will be coming soon.
Date: Tuesday, October 7th, 2025
Venue: Hogan Campus Center, College of the Holy Cross - Ballroom; 1 College St., Worcester, MA. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and the Conference will begin at 9:00 a.m.
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"Building Homes. Building Futures." - Stakeholder Conversation October 23rd
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Hearthway, and Upside413 are partnering with Way Finders and their research partner, the UMass Donahue Institute, to share in-depth findings from "Building Homes. Building Futures.", its first-ever housing study to cover Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties at an event on Thursday, October 23 at the Berkshire Community College Bolen Theater.
According to the study, Berkshire County needs nearly 2,000 new housing units to meet current demand. Even with projected declines in population locally, the gap will still be over nearly 1,000 units by 2035. Even more may be needed to stem population loss. The report, along with its online interactive data dashboards, provides western Massachusetts communities with information to address this crisis.
Mark your calendar:
• Thursday, October 23, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• Berkshire Community College, Bolen Theater, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield
All are welcome, no advance registration is required.
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Berkshire County Municipal Officials Networking
The Berkshire Municipal Managers Association, Berkshire Selectmen's Association, and BRPC collaborate on quarterly networking events for elected and appointed officials. The next event will occur on Thursday, October 30th, at the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center, 5 - 7 pm. Our special guest will be Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffery Shapiro.
Please register in advance on Eventbrite.
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EOHLC & Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation
Pre-applications will be accepted on or before October 23rd, 2025 for Supporting Housing for Vulnerable Populations funds.
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Division of Ecological Restoration - Dam Removal Preliminary Design Services
These studies will help landowners and partners assess opportunities and constraints during early planning phases of potential aquatic habitat restoration and climate resilience projects. DER is interested in dam removal projects that are at an early stage of development and/or decision-making. Selected projects will be eligible to receive technical assistance from DER staff and DER-led contracted technical services from qualified vendors.
Responses are due on October 30th, 2025 by 3pm. Learn more on COMMBUYS.
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Division of Fisheries and Wildlife-Enhance habitat for native wildlife and plant species
MassWildlife is seeking qualified applicants to participate in a competitive grant program to conduct active habitat management on conserved lands during Fiscal Year 2026. Through this reimbursement grant program, MassWildlife seeks to establish partnerships with private or municipal landowners of conserved lands to reimburse landowners for work conducted to enhance habitat for native wildlife and plant species.
Responses are due by October 31st, 2025 by 4pm. Learn more on COMMBUYS.
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MassDOT's Microtransit and Last Mile Transit Grants
Transit authorities, nonprofits, and municipalities can apply for grants for existing or new microtransit or last-mile transit services. Priorities include:
- expanding mobility options for rural communities;
- extending service to veterans, working families, older adults, people with disabilities and low-income individuals;
- providing mobility choices to people with mobility needs;
- extending equitable and affordable transportation mobility improvements in the commonwealth; and
- serving cities and towns that are taking meaningful steps to produce new housing and have adopted best practices to promote sustainable housing development.
Applications are due November 7th, 2025. Learn more on Mass.gov.
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MassDOT's Local Early and Actionable Planning (LEAP) Program
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation's Local Early and Actionable Planning (LEAP) Program provides, on a first-come, first-served basis, planning and early-stage design funding to cities and towns with a focus on rural and economically disadvantaged communities. A total of $1 Million will be distributed through this NEW program.
Learn more on their website.
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FFIO's Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance (MTTA) Grant Program
This NEW competitive grant program is designed for all Massachusetts local governments and federally recognized tribes, as well as regional organizations whose membership is exclusively composed of municipal governments, community development corporations and other development authorities or agencies seeking technical assistance for infrastructure, climate and economic development projects.
To qualify for funding under this program, applications must be intended for projects that are seeking or have received federal funding. This program prioritizes requests from rural communities, Gateway Cities, and localities with financial and capacity needs in similar underserved communities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by the FFIO, and successful applicants will receive up-front funding.
Recipients may use this funding to engage with BRPC for federally related technical assistance, such as:
- Grant writing
- Project scoping and financial analysis
- Planning and feasibility studies
- Demonstration activities
- Post-award grant management support
Learn more and apply on the FFIO website. Please contact BRPC if you have questions about how we can support you in obtaining MTTA funds or performing work after funds have been obtained. Email CJ Hoss at choss@berkshireplanning.org.
| | | | 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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Energy Facilities Siting Regulations Update
In addition to the ongoing rule making from the Energy Facilities Siting Board related to the the 2024 “An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity and Protecting Ratepayers”, the Division of Clean Energy Siting and Permitting released its regulations for the permitting of “small clean energy infrastructure projects”, which is the local process for permitting clean energy projects less than 25 MW, storage projects less than 100 MWh, and transmission or distribution infrastructure in an existing right of way less than ten miles, or a new right of way less than one mile. Learn more about the regulations here. Public comment on the regulations is due by October 17, 2025. Virtual and in person sessions will be held on October 6, October 7, October 8, and October 9 at locations throughout Massachusetts. Learn more about the times, locations, and where to register for the sessions.
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FY26 EEA Planning Assistance Grant Program
Many of the region’s communities have benefited from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Planning Assistance Program. Past funding cycles have included comprehensive plans, open space and recreation plans, land use regulations, housing needs assessments and action plans, and other types of planning projects. The FY26 grant cycle is included in EEA’s recent release of the “Environment and Climate One Stop” (or ECO One Stop). Expressions of Interest are due on October 28, 2025, with the grant application anticipated to become available in early 2026. If you would like to discuss project ideas or how your community can partner with BRPC on an application, please reach out to Community Planning and Development Program Manager CJ Hoss at choss@berkshireplanning.org.
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FY26 Land Conservation Assistance Grant Program
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs(EEA) recently released the Land Conservation Assistance Grant Program. This program covers a wide range of activities, from open space and recreation plans, to due diligence expenses related to land acquisition. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, Request for Responses can be found here: FY26 Land Conservation Grant.
In relationship to Open Space and Recreation Plans, this program will fund up to $25,000 for such work. Please contact Seth Jenkins (sjenkins@berkshireplanning.org) if you would like to discuss the status of your community’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.
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Community Development & Housing
Program Manager CJ Hoss
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Community Development Block Grants
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is seeking interested communities for the next round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). These grants can help fund a variety of community development activities ranging from housing rehabilitation to public infrastructure projects and much more.
BRPC has applied for and administered CDBG funds on behalf of Berkshire County communities for over 15 years. This work includes the FY 22/23 Sheffield Housing Rehabilitation Program and the FY24 Becket – Dalton Housing Rehabilitation Program. In addition, BRPC has helped communities use CDBG funds for ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Planning, Public Infrastructure planning and construction, and Social Services programming.
If your community would like to work with BRPC on future CDBG applications, please contact Brett Roberts (broberts@berkshireplanning.org), Principal Planner.
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Data & Information Services
Program Manager Mark Maloy
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Where do we get our data?
One of the things we often get asked is where we get the data we use at BRPC. There are several sources that we often access to get the latest data:
Berkshire Benchmarks, which BRPC manages, has a data clearinghouse containing the newest data from many of the below sources. Berkshire Benchmarks is always an excellent spot to start your search. www.berkshirebenchmarks.org
There are other sites that also provide summary data for municipalities, including
Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative:
https://mahealthyagingcollaborative.org/data-report/explore-the-profiles/community-profiles/
County Health Rankings: https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/
For original data, some of the common sites we turn are listed below.
The US Census Bureau has several surveys that they release, including the Decennial Census and the American Community Survey. Census data includes socio-economic and demographic data. https://data.census.gov/
Massachusetts Department of Revenue releases data relating to local government finance, such as local budgets, tax rates, and average tax bills. https://www.mass.gov/municipal-databank-data-analytics-including-cherry-sheets
Massachusetts Department of Education reports various statistics for our local school districts, including enrollment, graduation rates, and standardized testing.
https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/
Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance reports on local unemployment, industries, and labor market areas.
https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/LMI/LaborForceAndUnemployment?_ga=2.174813026.1987819323.1758791677-1385038256.1741631681
Questions on data? Feel free to reach out to us and see how we can help. Please contact Mark Maloy.
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Economic Development Planning
Program Manager Laura Brennan
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List Your Surplus Public Properties
MassDevelopment and the Western MA Economic Development Council are compiling a regional inventory of surplus public properties. The submission form is designed to be quick and easy. It is mostly multiple choice, and estimates are acceptable. Questions? Email bwmurphy@massdevelopment.com.
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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. We are currently developing a GIS model to identify 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 contact 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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Environmental & Energy Planning
Program Manager Melissa Provencher
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MVP Award Announcements
Congratulations to Clarksburg and Pittsfield who have been awarded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Grant awards! Both projects protect public against flooding while improving public spaces.
Pittsfield will construct a splash pad in Durant Park to address increasing summer heat and move into the second phase of a reconnecting pathway from the Westside Neighborhood to West Street. Project partners include Blackshires, Westside Legends, Habitat for Humanity, and Unpaved Trails for All.
Clarksburg moves into the second phase of their “Four Corners” project, an area with recent flooding that includes the Senior/Community Center, the School, and Clarksburg’s primary recreation area – their Town Field. The project connects these spaces for recreation and emergency, improving accessibility for all. Learn more on the Clarksburg website.
In addition to these town-specific projects, MVP awarded a grant to BRPC partnering with Ethos Pathways to develop a climate career pathway for high school students. This program hopes to turn climate anxiety into action by coaching students on how to enter climate careers in Western Massachusetts.
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Public Health
Program Manager Laura Kittross
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Stay Strong This Fall: Get Your Flu and COVID Vaccines
The Berkshire Public Health Alliance is committed to keeping our communities healthy and resilient. Vaccines are one of the most effective and safest ways to prevent infectious diseases. By getting vaccinated, you not only protect yourself but also help shield your family, friends, and neighbors from serious illness. Each vaccinated individual acts as a barricade that halts disease transmission, and when enough individual barricades come together, we achieve community immunity.
On September 3rd, Governor Healey took action to protect vaccine access in Massachusetts. Insurance plans are now required to cover vaccines recommended by the state Department of Public Health (DPH), not just those recommended by the CDC. DPH has also issued a standing order so pharmacies can keep giving COVID-19 vaccines to people ages five and older, while younger children can get them from their pediatrician. This means insurance will continue to cover respiratory vaccines like flu, COVID-19, and RSV, as well as routine childhood shots such as measles, chickenpox, and hepatitis B.
This fall, the Alliance is hosting community vaccine clinics across Berkshire County. Flu vaccines will be available for everyone 6 months and older, including the high-dose flu vaccine recommended for adults aged 65 and up. We also have COVID-19 vaccines for both 5-11 years and 12 and up. Our clinics are open to all at no cost to you. While no one will ever be turned away, we do ask participants to provide their insurance information if possible. Insurance reimbursement allows us to keep resources right here in our community and helps support the continued services of our public health programs.
The Get Vaccinated Berkshires website has everything you need to prepare for vaccination. There you can view upcoming clinics, register for appointments, and find detailed information about which vaccines are recommended for you and your family. The site includes information and registration for clinics from all over the county, including clinics offered by the Southern Berkshire Health Collaborative, and the Pittsfield Health Department. The site also provides resources for those who may need additional support, including guidance on how to arrange an in-home vaccination if you are unable to attend a clinic, as well as information on transportation options if you need help getting to your appointment.
Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Protect your community. Get vaccinated this fall. In the Berkshires!
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Transportation Planning
Program Manager Clete Kus
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Expanding Microtransit to improve mobility in the Berkshires
With thirty-two predominantly rural communities, Berkshire County spans around fifty miles from Williamstown in the North to Sandisfield in the South. Many people have limited mobility, especially seniors, young people, people with disabilities, or people who don't have regular access to a car. Also, residents of smaller communities who have infrequent service – or no service at all – on BRTA buses. Previous planning studies have identified limited access to public transportation and first/last-mile connections as major transportation barriers in the Berkshires.
Accessible transportation is a key component of sustainable community planning and housing developments, as it connects people from their residences to places of employment, businesses, medical facilities, and other essential services. Understanding the transportation service gaps in the Berkshires, BRPC explored "Microtransit" to overcome these barriers and enhance the mobility of the residents and visitors.
"Mictotransit" is a technology-enabled, on-demand, shared-ride public transportation system offering flexible routes and scheduling within designated zones. It lives between traditional fixed-route transit and ride-hailing technology like Uber or Lyft. It has more coverage than fixed-route service and is more responsive than traditional dial-a-ride service.
This past month, BRPC's Consultant, Foursquare ITP, completed a study to assess the feasibility of expanding Microtransit in Berkshire County. This study looked at existing conditions, travel patterns, and service gaps, conducted scenario planning and gathered input from stakeholders. These efforts informed recommendations including the development of an implementation plan for expanding Microtransit in Berkshire County.
The study confirms that Microtransit is the best solution to serve the transportation needs of rural communities, thereby improving the mobility of residents and visitors. Microtransit will also provide First/Last Mile solutions in larger communities where BRTA's fixed-route buses operate. A phased approach for implementation is recommended, starting small and expanding as demand increases, with organic growth eventually covering all the towns in the Berkshires. For more information and to view the study report please visit the Mictotransit study website: BRPC Microtransit.
Next steps: We aim to secure funding for implementation. Based on the study recommendations, BRPC will be working with BRTA, the South County Connector, and other Stakeholders to apply for the currently open MassDOT microtransit/transit grant opportunities. For more information, contact: Anuja Koirala, Principal Transportation Planner (akoirala@berkshireplanning.org).
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October is Pedestrian Safety Month
Every trip starts and ends with being a pedestrian. Join BRPC’s Transportation Planning program in recognizing this October as Pedestrian Safety Month. While safety is imperative all year round, this month offers an opportunity to highlight how everyone plays a role in getting where we need to go.
October is a time of transition--where days are getting shorter, school is back in session, and temperatures start to drop. More of us will be traveling with less daylight. When walking on roads without sidewalks, remember the following essential safety tips:
• Walk facing traffic so that you can see what's coming ahead of you.
• Be seen by wearing something reflective, bright-colored, or lit.
• Watch your step as leaves begin to fall; they could obscure uneven walking surfaces.
When out driving, it's also important to be alert, especially after dark.
• Watch for pedestrians and cyclists on the side of the road -- it's the law to give 4 feet of space when passing.
• If you can't safely pass, slow down and wait for an opportunity.
When parking, also remember: blocking sidewalks and crosswalks is illegal and creates a hazard to people walking and using wheelchairs, strollers, or mobility devices. After you park, check to make sure your vehicle is clear of any walkways, whether in your driveway or on the street.
Planning for the future:
BRPC is proud to be partnering with communities across the county to expand options for getting around safely on foot. This year, staff worked with the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge to propose new walking and cycling connections around the area of Tanglewood. BRPC is also pleased to be working with the town of Lee on a Complete Streets prioritization plan this fall and winter. We will also be kicking off an extensive study across southern Berkshire County to further connect the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and building out a Berkshire Bike Path. The region's goal of reaching zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads continues as well - visit www.berkshiresteps.org to learn more about this Vision Zero initiative.
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