Projects Net $10.5M in Drinking Water Funds

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Three Berkshire County projects are listed among priority funding in 2010 from the state's Drinking Water Revolving Fund. No county projects are listed for Clean Water Revolving Fund.

The biggest is $6,418,000 for new water storage tanks in Pittsfield. 

Lenox will get $2,882,000 to improve water system connections with Stockbridge.

The Sheffield Water Co., which provides drinking water for parts of Sheffield, will receive $991,000 toward a new storage tank and system upgrades.

The revolving funds are being supplied through the state by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Adams, Mount Greylock Featured On Boston.com

Boston.com posted an informative article today, shedding some positive light on Adams' efforts to build a resort at the Greylock Glen.

The write-up provides some history of the various developmental plans that have been proposed for the Glen, dating back to the 1950s. Did you know that, in 1980, MGM Grand expressed interest in building a casino in the Glen?

The new project is said to include "a conference center and lodge, 140-site campground, and revamped trail system in the first phase, and possibly later an environmental education and Nordic ski center, and an outdoor performance amphitheater."

The Glen project took a giant step forward last month when state environmental regulators gave Adams the go-ahead to proceed with planning and development.

Farmers Markets Coming to a Service Plaza Near You

Want some squash to go with your fill-up?

Next month, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will begin its annual farmers market program, which brings farmers markets to 18 highway service plazas throughout the commonwealth. MassDOT says it's expanded the 10-year-old program from 11 turnpike locations last year to all 18 state highway service plazas this year.

MassDOT invites local farmers to take advantage of free vending space to sell their home-grown produce and made-in-Massachusetts products. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis at  the Massachusetts Turnpike service plazas located in Lee (east /west), Blandford (east /west), Ludlow (east /west), Charlton (east /west), Westborough, Framingham and Natick. New this year are service plaza locations on Interstate 95 in Newton, Lexington , Route 128 Beverly, Route 24 Bridgewater (north /south), Route 3 Plymouth and Route 6 Barnstable.

Farmers can sell their goods as long as they do not compete with the businesses that operate within the service plazas.  MassDOT also assists in setting up and promoting the markets.

To date, there are farmers already signed up for Charlton East and West, Lee East, Blandford West and Westborough. Local farmers or customers who want more information should contact program coordinator Dave Fenton at dave.fenton@state.ma.us or 413-572-3171.

Coakley Pulls Papers For AG Run

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Martha Coakley's picking herself up from a demoralizing defeat three weeks ago and planning another campaign — this time to hold onto the position's she's got.

One of the city's favorite daughters announced today over Twitter that she will stand for re-election to attorney general.

"Today I pulled papers to seek re-election as Attorney General. Right now, I'm meeting with volunteers planning our signature drive!" she tweeted at about 6:30 p.m.

The news isn't a suprise; aides had been saying she'd run for another term within days of her Senate defeat.

Coakley had been the front-runner in the special election to fill the late Ted Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat. But laidback campaign and an energetic Republican challenger caught the well-heeled Coakley and the Democratic machine off-guard. Scott Brown, a then state senator from Wrentham and former Cosmopolitan centerfold, decisively defeated the attorney general on Jan. 19. Brown was sworn into the Senate last Thursday.

Coakley's run for attorney general four years ago was a cakewalk. The Middlesex DA had barely-there challenger Larry Frisoli, whom she didn't even bother to debate. She'd pretty much been handed the job after the Democratic primary back in 2006. (Which many may have thought would be repeated in the Senate election.)

The Drury High grad could face tougher opposition this time around. Republicans emboldened by Brown's stunning victory and Democrats sniffing weakness may give her run for the money.

Either way, we bet she can count on the county to back her again. Western Mass. went deep blue on Jan. 19 for the Berkshires girl who pledged to always remember who and where we are.