New Marlborough Housing Awarded State Grant

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NEW MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — The state awarded Casillis Farm funds to subsidize 11 units making them affordable to families, including three deeply affordable units below 30 percent of the area median income (AMI). 
 
Governor Maura Healey and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined local officials and housing developers from across the state to announce the 2024 Affordable Housing Development Grant Awards. A total of $227 million in state and federal tax credits and subsidies will support the creation or preservation of 1,874 rental units across Massachusetts.  
 
"These awards are one of the most effective tools our administration has to increase the development of housing that is affordable for people across the state," said Governor Maura Healey. "Along with our Affordable Homes Act, we're working to lower the cost of housing across Massachusetts to benefit our families, businesses and economy." 
 
The projects include a total of 1,731 affordable rental units for residents making less than 60 percent of AMI, with 480 units set aside for residents making below 30 percent AMI and often experiencing homelessness.  
 
This is the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities' largest annual grant award that supports the development of affordable rental housing units statewide. The total investment includes, $27.1 million in 4 percent federal tax credits, $12.1 million in 9 percent federal tax credits, $44.5 million in state tax credits and $143.4 million in state subsidy funds. 
 
In addition to analyzing how these projects met the state's housing goals, the Administration carefully evaluated the green, sustainable and climate resilient aspects of every application to ensure that all projects selected for awards will help further the state's climate objectives. 

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Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

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