Intersection Conflict Warning System Installed at Monument Mountain Regional High School

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has installed a new Intersection Conflict Warning System (ICWS) at the intersection of Route 7 and Mountain Regional High School Drive in Great Barrington. 
 
The new system, which is located at the driveway to the Mountain Regional High School, seeks to help improve intersection safety and reduce crashes at this heavily traveled location. This is the first of such devices to be installed on a state highway in Massachusetts.  
 
"MassDOT is pleased to work with state and local officials and stakeholders to facilitate the installation of the Intersection Conflict Warning System, which is the first of such devices to be installed on a state highway in Massachusetts," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca. "The new system will help improve safety at this busy intersection and provide students attending high school in this area additional traffic guidance and support while driving to and from school."
 
The Intersection Conflict Warning System uses a radar sensor and two infrared sensors that trigger lights when traffic is approaching in this location. When those sensors detect traffic, they activate all of the flashing beacons on the mast arm and the LED arrays on the "T" intersection sign as well as the "STOP" and "YIELD" signs. After a brief hold period, all of the lights deactivate until another vehicle is sensed.  
 
MassDOT worked with local officials from the Town of Great Barrington, school officials from Mountain Regional High School, and other stakeholders to address concerns related to the school drive entrance and to propose and implement identified safety enhancements at this location. A stakeholder meeting was held in July 2021, and the design process and contractor selection were conducted in 2022. Installation operations, which were delayed due to supply chain issues, were conducted in March 2023.
 
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Berkshire Bounty Fundraiser Responds to Community Need

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Bounty, a 501(c)(3) food recovery organization, will conduct a crowdfunding campaign from April 22 through April 29  to raise funds to address growing community need regarding food insecurity.
 
"Like many nonprofits in our community, Berkshire Bounty has been affected by cuts and fluctuations in federal funding," said Morgan Ovitsky, Executive Director of Berkshire Bounty. "We're also closely watching potential cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]. If enacted, the most vulnerable Berkshire County residents will be heavily impacted."
 
"Spring Into Action" will raise $75,000 for Berkshire Bounty. The Crowdfunding Campaign is the public facing portion in which Berkshire Bounty reaches out to supporters and asks for help in reaching that goal.
 
The Greater Boston Food Bank report indicated that the food insecurity rate in Berkshire County was at 45 percent. Berkshire Bounty has data from partner emergency food sites about increased use, particularly among people who are "working poor" and the immigrant community. Reporting data collected quarterly in 2024 from emergency food sites show a 30 percent increase in people accessing food assistance over the year. Projections and trends indicate the increase in food insecurity will continue to climb.
 
"Food pantries are serving more people than ever and struggling to procure enough to satisfy the demand. Berkshire Bounty receives calls daily for more food," stated Mark Lefenfeld and Jay Weintraub, Board members and co-founders of Berkshire Bounty. "We are so grateful to our community for their support."
 
Spring Into Action is aided by the Donald C. McGraw and Black Rock Foundations, offering a $20,000 dollar-to-dollar match. 
 
"Our foundation and family are proud to support Berkshire Bounty as they prepare to provide extra support to our neighbors in a time of need," said Robin McGraw, Director of the Foundations.
 
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