Representative Bosley Recognized for His Part in Massachusetts' Newest Holiday

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Dr. Alan Dittrich (r), president of the Massachusetts Society for Medical Research, presents a plaque of recognition to Representative Dennis Bosley (D: 1st Berkshire) at the representative’s office in North Adams. Representative Bosley was instrumental in the legislature’s creation of Massachusetts Biomedical Research Day, an annual celebration of the work and discoveries of biomedical researchers in Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Society for Medical Research recently honored Representative Daniel E. Bosley (D: 1st Berkshire), for his leadership in creating Massachusetts Biomedical Research Day – October 21 – which became law over the Governor’s veto in the closing days of the 2006 session. In upcoming years, MSMR, which first proposed Biomedical Research Day, will conduct events tied to the day, linking researchers, students, legislators, journalists and the general public in a greater appreciation for and understanding of the benefits produced by biomedical research that is performed here in Massachusetts. October 21, Alfred Nobel’s birthday, was selected in order to align Massachusetts with the national Biomedical Research Day holiday declared by President Clinton in 1993. It is hoped that soon all states will recognize the contributions of biomedical research to our understanding of life and to the improvement of health. Steven M. Niemi, DVM, Board Chair of MSMR, said, “Here in Massachusetts we can be justly proud of our very long history of advancing health care through new medicines, improved skills and technology, and forward strides in medical devices. At least a fourth of the Nobel Laureates in Physiology and Medicine since 1934 have had a Massachusetts connection.” Alan Dittrich, PhD, MSMR President, added, “Biomedical Research in Massachusetts creates life-saving advances and it adds greatly to our state economy. More than $2 billion flows into Massachusetts from Federal research grants each year – giving us the highest per family life science research stream in the country. Corporate research carried on by legions of Massachusetts firms adds hundreds of millions dollars more. It is entirely fitting that we should set aside one day to celebrate and thank biomedical researchers for the work they do every day.” Biomedical Research Investment in Massachusetts Continuing a long trend, Massachusetts ranks extremely high in federal life science funding. · In 2005 the state was second in total NIH research grant funding and ranked first on a per-capita basis. Massachusetts researchers received 5,193 grants totaling $2,272,775,609. (California ranked #1. The next eight states, in order, are New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, Washington, Illinois, and Ohio.) · In 2003 Boston ranked #1 and Cambridge ranked #21 among cities in NIH grant dollars. · Massachusetts also received also a disproportionate amount of National Science Foundation grants (#3 behind California and New York – 2003). · There is no fixed ratio between government-funded and industry-funded research, but industry adds at least 20% more to the life science research enterprise in Massachusetts, at least another $440 million. · In the recent Milken Institute report Biopharmaceutical Industry Contributions to State and US Economies, Massachusetts was ranked as the state with projected top growth performance over the decade through 2014. Impact of Biotechnology in Massachusetts The biotech and medical device industries that spring from Massachusetts biomedical/life science research provide (2003) at least 51,000 jobs in the state and produce $7.4 billion in economic output. Intellectual property growth From a Massachusetts Technology Trust report of December 9, 2005: · The Commonwealth ranked second (behind California) in the Food and Drug Administration approvals of new medical devices and biotechnology drugs. · Six of Massachusetts’ eight IPOs in 2004 were biotechnology companies. · Healthcare patents issued in Massachusetts between 2000 and 2004 were 27% of total patents. · Biotechnology represented 26% of the state’s total venture capital investments in 2004 and medical devices represented another 8%. · Massachusetts has the highest corporate R&D expenditure per $1,000 of sales of all the Leading Technology States. Additionally, 82% of the biotechnology firms currently operating in Massachusetts were founded here.
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Dalton Counter Sues Berkshire Concrete

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The dispute between Berkshire Concrete and the town has taken another turn as the town pursues a countersuit against the excavation company.
 
On April 13, Berkshire Concrete Corp., a subsidiary of Petricca Industries, launched legal action against the town, seeking damages, the overturning of the Planning Board's denial of its special permit, and additional proposed orders of a court. 
 
The town has responded with a countersuit of its own, seeking a preliminary injunction requiring Berkshire Concrete to fully restore Lot 105-16 and a permanent injunction mandating an effective dust mitigation plan. 
 
The suit also requests that Berkshire Concrete pay all fines assessed against them, along with the town’s legal costs and attorney's fees, and other relief deemed by the court. 
 
The claim explains the timeline of events dating back to 2024 when Berkshire Concrete started mining without town approval on parcel 105-16, clearing trees and vegetation that abuttors claimed acted as a natural barrier. 
 
The removal of this vegetation resulted in the creation of a corridor for wind to carry dust from the lot and onto residential properties in the abutting neighborhood, the suit claims. 
 
Almost a year ago, both the Select Board and Planning Board expressed that they wanted parcel No. 105-16 fully mitigated to abide by the town's bylaws.
 
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