Minor Change to Dalton Landfill Project in the Works

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
DALTON, Mass. — The Planning Board tentatively approved Citizens Energy's request for administrative approval of a "minor" change to the site plan during its meeting on Wednesday. 
 
To support the Warren Landfill solar project, Citizens Energy is interested in installing utility poles along the access road to interconnect the project to the electrical grid. 
 
Since the access road is public property, the board requested that the organization obtain written approval from the town attorney, the police chief, fire chief, and highway department. Once that is complete the building inspector can approve the permit. 
 
Board member Donald Davis Jr. advocated for obtained approval from the town attorney in an effort to prevent liability. 
 
"Because now we're putting structures on town-owned property that the town doesn't own, it should go to the attorney to nullify the town of any problems," he said. 
 
When the board approved the nonprofit's site plan and a special permit in April it was unclear how the access was going to work so optionality was included in the site plan, TRC Companies Inc. Senior Director Max Lamson said. 
 
TRC Companies Inc. is representing Citizens Energy for solar permitting matters.
 
One option had been to create its own access road parallel to the town's. At the time, the Select Board had not yet approved the organization's Solar Easement that granted unobstructed access between Bridle Road and the Warren farm's landfill, located off Park Street Extension, outside of the transfer station's hours for vehicle and pedestrian access.
 
The Select Board approved this easement during its meeting in July. Citizens Energy is hoping to start construction before the winter season.
 
More information on the project here
 

Tags: solar array,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Habitat For Humanity Modular Homes Coming to Robbins Ave.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The homes will be available for residents earning between 55 and 65 percent of the area median income. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The first of two below-market modular homes arrived on the West Side on Thursday, and both are expected to be move-in ready this summer.

The other is expected next week.

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is building two below-market condominiums at 112 Robbins Ave. for families earning between 55 percent and 65 percent of the area median income. Monthly costs for the three- and four-bedroom units are expected to be less than $1,500 with Habitat's subsidies.

Modulars allow for quicker construction to get more families into quality, affordable housing.

"Just because we have such an aggressive schedule this year, we are doing many modulars in addition to the stick-built that we usually do," communications manager Erin O'Brien explained.

Just this year, the nonprofit is constructing five homes in Pittsfield and 10 in Housatonic.

The two homes at 112 Robbins Ave. will come to $148,000 for a three-bedroom with the 20 percent subsidy and $156,000 for a four-bedroom. Similar homes in the Pittsfield area are valued between $225,000 and $250,000.

While prices are subject to change, the three-bedroom condo will cost owners about $1,430 per month and the four bedroom $1,495 per month, compared to renting in the city for more than $1,800 per month. Habitat noted that this provides a potential annual savings of $4,500 to $6,000, while building equity and long-term financial security.

The eligibility range between 55 percent and 65 percent AMI is said to support families who earn too much for most housing subsidies but still struggle to afford market-rate homes.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories