PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state is looking to plant some 800 trees per year in the city of Pittsfield over the next three years.
Pittsfield was chosen as part of the Greening the Gateway Cities program through which the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation plants trees in urban environments. The program targets the 26 so-called Gateway Cities and will plant the trees in areas where there are currently low canopy levels.
"The Greening the Gateway Cities Program serves as an excellent example of a strong partnership between state government, local municipalities, and dedicated organizations working together to ultimately benefit generations of people," said Gov. Charlie Baker in a statement on Wednesday.
Locally, DCR is looking to plant a total of 2,400 trees over the next three years in neighborhoods bordering the downtown, a total of 1,000 acres.
"The Greening the Gateways Cities project is a perfect example of how the commonwealth partners with cities, and I'm thrilled to see Pittsfield be part of this year's award," said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier. "Planting trees in the Westside and Morningside Neighborhoods brings beauty, improves quality of life, cools our city and helps absorb carbon, making it a win all around."
The state has promised to invest more than $12 million to plant a total of 20,000 trees averaging 6 feet in height. The program is eyed to produce energy savings to businesses and households because of the shading provided to reduce cooling costs, and will produce jobs but hiring local crews to do the planting.
The goal is to increase the urban canopy by 4 to 10 percent in the cities. In the last two years, the program planted 3,700 trees in Chelsea, Revere, Fall River, Chicopee, and Holyoke. This year the rest of the gateway cities were added.
"By adding the cities of Brockton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, New Bedford, Pittsfield, and Quincy into the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, our Administration continues to invest in the future of these cities to further enhance our environmental resources, which will benefit us all on a local and global scale," said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.
Additional benefits hopes from the trees include reduction in storm water runoff, higher air quality, increased property values, and healthier communities.
"Pittsfield is a city in the middle of a beautiful rural region," said state Sen. Benjamin Downing. "Preserving green space and investing in making the city greener are perfectly in line with the city's values and vision."
State Rep. Paul Mark added, "I am grateful to [Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew] Beaton for selecting Pittsfield to participate in the Greening the Gateway Cities program. As an urban island in rural Berkshire County, Pittsfield is always seeking ways to balance its natural beauty with the demands of a city environment. This program will help us enhance that beauty and make our city greener than ever."
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Belchertown Stops Pittsfield Post 68
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Belchertown Post 239’s Cooper Beckwith set the tone when he crushed the game’s first pitch to left-center field for a double.
The visitors went on to pound out 14 more hits in a 9-1 win over Pittsfield Post 68 in American Legion Baseball action at Buddy Pellerin Field on Monday night.
Beckwith went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice, and Chase Earle went five innings on the mound without allowing an earned run as Post 239 improved to 15-0 this summer and completed a regular-season sweep of Post 68 (12-4).
“He’s a good pitcher,” Post 68 coach Rick Amuso said. “Good velo[city], kept the ball down. We didn’t respond.”
Pittsfield did manage to scratch out a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, when it already trailed, 7-0.
Nick Brindle reached on an error to start the inning. He moved up on a single by Jack Reed (2-for-2) and scored on a single to left by Cam Zerbato.
That was half the hits allowed by Earle, who struck out three before giving the ball to Alex West, who gave up a leadoff walk in the sixth and retired the next six batters he faced.
Water runoff reaching the drainage outlet behind the property is flooding it, unable to reach an intermittent stream meant to carry that runoff. click for more
The $25,000 raised will directly assist the Berkshire Humane Society in funding its various programs aimed at improving the lives of animals in need throughout the Berkshire County area. click for more
The short film follows Tom Levardi, who has been a supporter of the hiking community over the last 45 years by allowing Appalachian Trail hikers to camp in his back yard.
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On Thursday, the commission issued 36 conditions for the city project that include a new boardwalk, access stairs, paring improvements, seasonal docks, and a new swimming beach on the park’s two properties at 1447 North St. and 40 Hancock Rd. click for more
Mike Ressler was unhittable on the mound, and the Pittsfield Little League All-Stars completed a convincing run through the Don Gleason District 1 Tournament with a 19-0 win over Dalton-Hinsdale on Thursday. click for more