The Berkshire Edge On-Air - Wednesday March 9, 2022

Guided by respected journalistic standards, the principle of fairness, the quest for truth, a commitment to social, economic and environmental justice, and an abiding admiration for the independent spirit of the Berkshires, The Berkshire Edge offers in-depth local news reports and features, perspectives on the arts, wide-ranging commentary, and a comprehensive calendar of events – all written, illustrated, and, in some cases performed, with wit, intelligence, insight and humor.

1. The debate in Great Barrington over short-term rentals — whereby homes in residential neighborhoods are rented out — has become roiled in what appears to be a conflict of interest since a member of the selectboard, it turns out, does rent property on a short-term basis: https://theberkshireedge.com/lively-debate-over-short-term-rental-regulations-in-great-barrington-stalls-again/

2.  And on that issue we have a thoughtful and provocative commentary by one of our writers, Sheela Clary: https://theberkshireedge.com/sheela-clary-what-we-are-starting-to-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-strs/

3. Terry Cowgill has written a fascinating history of the Great Barrington fire department, and how it’s evolved over time: https://theberkshireedge.com/great-barrington-fire-department-now-state-of-the-art-after-horse-drawn-beginnings/

4.  A group of organizations in Great Barrington is collaborating on the gathering of an oral history of the African-American community in the Berkshires: https://theberkshireedge.com/berkshire-oral-history-collaborative-forms-to-preserve-african-american-stories/

5.  Once again the Housatonic Water Works, the private water company in the village of Housatonic, has been threatened with criminal prosecution by the DEP for failing to remove carcinogenic ingredients from the water supply: https://theberkshireedge.com/housatonic-water-works-scolded-by-massdep-threatened-with-fines-criminal-prosecution/ 6. Finally, the stars may be aligning to the state to fund a long-sought upgrade to Monument Mountain Regional High School: https://theberkshireedge.com/are-the-stars-aligning-berkshire-hills-now-in-line-for-state-aid-to-rebuild-monument/