Mild Drought Conditions Declared in Berkshire County

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BOSTON — Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper declared a Level 1-Mild Drought in the Western and Cape Cod Regions of Massachusetts following more than two months of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures.
 
A Level 1-Mild Drought, as outlined in the Massachusetts Drought Management Plan, warrants detailed monitoring of drought conditions, close coordination among state and federal agencies, and technical outreach and assistance to the affected municipalities.
 
All other regions of the state – Connecticut River Valley, Central, Northeast, Southeast, and Islands regions – remain in Level 0-Normal conditions. 
 
During the past several months, Massachusetts has experienced irregular rainfall events; however, state officials anticipate improvements in these areas based on rains this week. The decision to declare the Western and Cape Cod Regions a Level 1 – Mild Drought was informed by recommendations and discussions by the Drought Management Task Force (DMTF), composed of state and federal officials and other entities, which met on Thursday, June 8, 2023. The declaration will remain in effect until water levels return to normal conditions in those regions.
 
Those living and working within a Level 1 – Mild Drought region, including residents utilizing a private well, are encouraged to take the following actions:
 
For Region in Level 1 - Mild Drought
 
Residents and Businesses:
  • Minimize overall water use;
  • Limit outdoor watering to one day per week from 5:00PM to 9:00AM, or less frequently if required by your water supplier;
  • Plant only local and drought-resistant species;
  • Fix indoor leaks, such as from toilets, faucets, and showers, which result in more than 60 percent of indoor use;
  • For larger buildings and businesses, conduct water audits to identify areas of leaks and potential water conservation opportunities;
  • Minimize lawn sizes; and,
  • Harvest rainwater for outdoor watering.
Communities:
  • Establish a year-round water conservation program that includes public education and communication, taking advantage of the state's library of outreach materials;
  • Provide timely drought and water conservation information to local residents and businesses;
  • Check emergency inter-connections for water supply; and
  • Develop a local drought management plan (learn more here).
 
All these steps will help reduce water use to ensure essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection, are being met, habitats have enough water to support their natural functions, and sustain the Commonwealth's water supplies. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) will continue to provide technical assistance to communities on managing systems, including assistance on the use of emergency connections and water supplies.
 
The Drought Management Task Force will meet again on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 10:00 am. State agencies will continue to closely monitor and assess conditions across the state, coordinate any needed dissemination of information to the public, and help state, federal, and local agencies prepare additional responses that may be needed in the future. For further information on water conservation and what residents can do, visit the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' drought and water conservation pages.

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DCF Clears Two Pittsfield High Administrators

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.—The Department of Children and Families has reportedly cleared two Pittsfield High School administrators of misconduct: Dean of Students Molly West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard.

On Friday, School Committee Chair William Cameron confirmed that DCF’s 51A investigation of allegations of abuse or neglect made against PHS Dean of Students Molly West was unsupported.

"(Superintendent Joseph Curtis) told me yesterday that his office has received formal notice from DCF that the agency's investigation of those allegations has been completed, and that the allegations were found to be unsupported," Cameron wrote VIA email.

Earlier in the week, he announced that the first part of a committee-initiated investigation led by Mary-Lou Rup, a retired Superior Court judge, was completed and West, one of the school’s two deans, was cleared by Rup.  

iBerkshires inquired about the DCF investigation running parallel.  On Thursday, Cameron said the district has reason to believe that DCF's investigation has cleared West, but he did not have written confirmation of that assertion.

"I have been told by [interim Deputy Superintendent Matt] Bishop, who is the Pittsfield Public Schools' contact with DCF in these matters, that the agency's investigation of Ms. West was returned with a determination that the allegations made against her were unsupported," he wrote.

"I have not seen formal confirmation of this from DCF. Apparently, its report to Dr. Bishop was provided through a conversation."

The Berkshire Eagle Wednesday night reported that DCF has determined that allegations of misconduct against PHS Vice Principal Alison Shepard were unsupported.  The Eagle also reported that DCF cleared Berkshire Family YMCA staff member Taverick "Tank" Roberson in January and he returned from administrative leave.

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