New Marlborough Land Trust appoints new members to its Board
Southfield— The New Marlborough Land Trust announced the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors, bringing the total number of Directors to 12.
Silvia Eggenberger, Executive Director, said, “Our four new Board members have a diverse range of skills that will benefit the Land Trust and our community. From education and the arts to nonprofit administration and agricultural science, they represent the deep pool of talent that can be found in New Marlborough.”
Paula Hatch brings broad nonprofit and educational leadership to the Land Trust. Paula is the former director of the Berkshire Bach Society and, previously, the South Berkshire Education Collaborative.
Fran Lartigue is a long-time educator who works for ParentPowered. Fran has developed science and technology curricula for the Flying Cloud Institute, and served on the New Marlborough/Monterey PTA and the SBRSD School Committee.
Matt Sheffer has an extensive background in land conservation and regenerative agriculture. Matt is the managing director of Hudson Carbon, a research and policy organization focused on sustainability.
Katherine Slingluff is a photographer, musician, and textile designer. Katherine’s creative energies and love for nature were displayed when she performed at the Land Trust’s GoodTimes@Goodnow event in September.
The New Marlborough Land Trust’s core mission is to protect lands of conservation value for the benefit of residents and the general public. Land Trust properties consist of open fields, forests, wetlands, riparian lands along the Konkapot and Umpachene Rivers, wildlife habitat and agricultural land. The Land Trust owns and manages approximately 900 acres of land containing miles of public hiking trails. More information about the New Marlborough Land Trust can be found at www.nmlandtrust.org.
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Sotheby’s names Berkshire’s own Stephanie McNair Manager of the Year
Great Barrington— William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty today announced that Stephanie McNair, manager of the Berkshire brokerages of William Pitt International Realty, has been named the company’s 2022 Manager of the Year. Chosen from among 17 managers company-wide, McNair earned the award in her first year in the role, which entails overseeing 36 agents and staff in the firm’s Lenox and Great Barrington offices. It is also the first time in the firm’s history that a Massachusetts brokerage manager has received the accolade.
Since she assumed her current role in May 2022, McNair has increased the firm’s community and charitable involvement and recruited top-performing agents. She currently serves on the board of the Berkshire County Board of Realtors, making a contribution to the professional community and building ties with other firms. McNair has bold goals for 2023, which include continuing to elevate the brand’s success in the neighboring regions of upstate New York and Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts.
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Working with high school interns workshop
Pittsfield— The MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board will lead a session for employers/organizations interested in working with high school interns on Thursday February 23 at Berkshire Health Systems Clapp Administrative Building Classroom at 742 North St. in Pittsfield, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The workshop will provide tips, guidance, and strategies for providing internships to high school students. It is open to professionals interested in starting an internship at their company or looking to enhance their current internship program.
To register for this event email Kat@masshireberkshire.com or call 413-442-7177 x 120.
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Columbia County Habitat for Humanity announces 3-year strategic plan
Hudson, N.Y. — Columbia County Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023 and has adopted a progressive growth strategy to help address the lack of affordable housing in the area. The organization has committed to building more homes more often, and partnering with more families to help them realize the dream of homeownership. The organization will also serve more low- and moderate-income and senior homeowners with its award-winning home repair and education program, Habitat Helping Hands.
To meet the rising need for affordable homes, Columbia County Habitat has committed itself to a 3-year strategic plan that will grow its organizational capacity. By the end of year 2025, Habitat will serve more families in Columbia County by building 3 or more new homes each year utilizing basic, sustainable, efficient, and expandable home designs. In the same timeframe, Habitat Helping Hands will scale-up its home repair services program to assist 3 or more families per month.
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Berkshire B’nai Tzedek Youth Foundation accepting applications for grants
Pittsfield— The Berkshire B’nai Tzedek Youth Foundation is currently accepting applications from non-profit organizations in the wider Berkshire community for grants of up to $3,000 for projects that support affordable childcare, classroom resource distribution, or public education.
The deadline to submit grant proposals is February 22, 2023. Proposals should be submitted at https://tinyurl.com/TzedekGrants
The Berkshire B’nai Tzedek Youth Foundation is a teen leadership board made up of Jewish teens that develop annual charitable funding priorities and participate in a grant-making process. The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires provides $3000 from its community campaign for fund community grants based on the mission developed by the Foundation’s teen leaders. The program is run in partnership with Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. B’nai Tzedek in Hebrew means “Children of Justice. A tenant of Jewish tradition, this program teaches local youth to pursue justice through community philanthropy.
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Ray Murray, Inc. welcomes new technical support representative
Lee— Ray Murray, Inc. announces the addition of Eben Waugh to their Technical Support team. Eben brings over 25 years of experience in the propane, hearth, and HVAC industries. Eben holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Management, and is a Penquis Leadership Institute Graduate. He has prior experience as a CETP Trainer, proctor & skill evaluator. Throughout his career, he has provided management, installation/service, and delivery for major propane marketers.
“Welcoming Eben to our team was an easy decision, given his extensive experience and vast industry knowledge. We know he will provide the outstanding technical support and training that our customers are accustomed to. At RMI, we pride ourselves on expert support. We are confident that Eben will be a great addition to the RMI team.” said Mike Hopsicker, RMI President & CEO.
RMI is one of the largest wholesale distributors of gas equipment, heating, hearth, and outdoor living products in the U.S. based in Lee, Mass.
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30 condominium units to be built in Great Barrington
Great Barrington— The Goldman Group, a Boston, MA-based real estate company, has been approved by the Great Barrington Planning Board to convert the former nursing home at 148 Maple Avenue into 30 condominium units. At present, the town of Great Barrington has a vacancy rate of 0%. With the town in immediate need of additional residential property, this development will contribute to the community-wide effort of increasing the inventory of available housing.
The development will comprise 12 one-bedrooms, 16 two-bedrooms, and 2 three-bedrooms. Amenities are set to include a fitness center, pet-grooming station, an elevator, and both indoor and outdoor lounge areas.
With a construction crew in place and demolition already in progress, The Goldman Group expects the project to be completed by Summer 2023. Units will be listed for pre-sale in February 2023.
