A penny on each dollar collected by the state's 6.26 percent sales tax (excluding meals) goes to fund the MBTA. That means Berkshire County residents fund the MBTA with every purchase, even though the MBTA's services do not extend beyond Worcester County.
The bill would establish practices and procedures to require those legally in charge of running sewage overflow outlets to inform the public if and when raw sewage is entering their rivers and waterways, a term known as “combined sewage overflow.”
Through a partnership with the Nature Conservancy, the Schenob Brook restoration/Becker Pond Dam removal project will benefit wild Eastern brook trout and other species threatened by the effects of climate change.
MassDOT’s East-West Passenger Rail Study is charged with evaluating strategies for providing passenger rail service between Boston and Pittsfield by way of Springfield.
Reps. William 'Smitty' Pignatelli and John Barrett worked to lobby Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who agreed to place a Berkshire County resident on the commission.
Sen. Adam Hinds, who was among those who signed the letter, said he is 'deeply disappointed that the Berkshires were not given a high enough priority to have a member on the commission.'
"Massachusetts is a global community. We all benefit from the shared experiences of our partners from around the world. Our education, health care, business and public sector institutions rely on these relationships to deliver on their missions every single day." --Gov. Charlie Baker
The $5.4 million Main Street Reconstruction in Great Barrington is ahead of schedule, according to the DOT, with sidewalks and pavements to be completed by winter, and new trees planted this fall. The project, however, is “close” to its budget.
