Health-Plan Sessions Slated as Deadline Looms

By Tammy DanielsPrint Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD - Local lawmakers' claims that Western Massachusetts was being ignored in the state's efforts to make sure citizens know their health plan options is bringing the head of the enrollment efforts to Pittsfield. Jon Kingsdale, executive director of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, will attend two information sessions on Saturday, Dec. 8. The first "Connect to Health" session will be held from 10 to noon at the Berkshire Athenaeum for Berkshire residents. The second will be held at Greenfield Community College from 2 to 4. These are the only sessions being offered in state's three farthest west counties before the Dec. 31 deadline for enrollment. "I'm happy and pleased that this opportunity is being offered for residents to get their questions answered," said state Rep. Denis E. Guyer, D-Dalton, on Wednesday. The deadline for having insurance under the state's landmark health care legislation is Jan. 1. Those who don't have an insurance plan independently or through an employer by that date will lose their $219 personal state tax exemption. After that, the penalties begin piling on. Guyer and most of the Berkshire delegation and other Western Mass. lawmakers had expressed frustration with the Connector Authority, which is overseeing enrollment in the programs, last month, saying the panel was ignoring outreach efforts in the western end of the state. Some $3.5 million was appropriated in this year's budget by the Legislature for outreach efforts, such as advertising and Connect to Health information sessions - none of which had occurred in Berkshire, Franklin or Hampshire counties. The closest information session to date has been held in Chicopee. The lawmakers had sent a letter to Kingsdale asking that more attention be paid to the the three counties, especially since many of their rural towns had limited or no access to the authority's Web-based enrollment and information. Within days of the lawmakers letter being made public, the Connector Authority announced the information sessions for Pittsfield and Greenfield. The sessions are being sponsored by local lawmakers, including Reps. Christopher N. Speranzo, D-Pittsfield, and William "Smitty" Pignatelli, D-Lenox, and the authority. "We receive many calls regarding the new health care requirements, not only from individuals, but also from small-business owners who want to understand how these new requirements will affect their daily operations. We thought it would be helpful to have those questions addressed," said state Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, in a statement. "This will event will be a great opportunity for anyone seeking information or coverage." Kingsdale will conduct small-business seminars for local businesses interested in learning more about their responsibilities as employers. Local enrollment experts from Advocacy for Access and Ecu-Health Care will also be on hand. All Massachusetts adults are now required to have health insurance. According to Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray's office, some 300,000 people have enrolled in the mandated plans so far. Approximately 293,000 people have enrolled in health insurance during the past year, of which roughly 160,000 have enrolled in Commonwealth Care, the subsidized health insurance program offered through the Connector Authority; an additional 70,000 residents have signed up for MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program. In addition, 63,000 have enrolled in private insurance either through the Health Connector or private carriers. Beginning next year, uninsured residents will be charged half the cost of a year's health insurance. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, an individual pays an average of about $4,000 a year and a family, $11,000. The state had set a deadline of Nov. 15 to enroll, giving time for insurance carriers to process paperwork in time for the Dec. 31 deadline. However, Murray and State House leaders announced on Wednesday that the enrollment deadline would be extended to the end of the year so residents can avoid the initial $219 penalty. Anyone who submits an application for MassHealth by Dec. 31 and who is eligible for benefits will be enrolled as of that date and will not be subject to the tax penalty. Massachusetts-based private insurance carriers will continue to enroll people of all ages during the month so their enrollment, also, will be effective no later than Dec. 31. Consumers should check with the individual carriers to determine when their specific deadlines apply. Guyer noted that the Legislature has already extended the deadline for the health insurance law, which was supposed to take effect last January. "They've extended the deadline once already. So I don't think they're going to do it again," he said, adding that he strongly encouraged residents and employers to attend the event. Information and enrollment material is available at www.MAhealthconnector.org or by calling the Health Connector's customer service center weekdays at 1-877-MA-ENROLL.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant. 

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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