At a recent Berkshire Regional Planning Board Commission (BRPC) meeting, the Commissioner from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities announced that the state seeks to take away even more local control with respect to building housing and renewable energy sources. How much of our open space and forestland will be taken for solar panels and cluster housing?

From the Desk of our State Senator Paul Mark

I am grateful to again have the chance to keep everyone informed of State House news through Stockbridge Updates. The expected end of the Formal legislative session arrived on August 1st, but unfortunately, many important legislative priorities were not yet completed. While that was frustrating at the time, the legislature continues to work through the end of the year to pass important laws.

To explain more about what a Formal or Informal Session is we need to understand that the Senate and House are required under the state constitution to meet every 72 hours year-round. During a Formal Session, bills can be passed with a recorded roll call vote of the members present. During an Informal Session, bills can still be passed if they do not require a recorded roll call vote. Informal Session is a time for uncontroversial measures to be passed, local bills, sick leave banks, or other items that have unanimous approval. But if there is a consensus, more important items can move through the Informal Session, and the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker have also publicly called for a Special Formal Session to happen later this year so that items requiring a roll call vote can get done.

As I write this, a Housing Bond Bill that will make billions of dollars available to help ease the housing crunch while promoting policies intended to help with housing affordability has been signed into law. Laws have also been signed to better serve veterans, promote improved maternal health outcomes, better leverage federal funding for Massachusetts projects, improve long term care facilities, better address the opioid crisis, increase wage equity, and improve IT services throughout the Commonwealth. 

We continue to work on other important bills that should be passed this year. There is an Economic Development bill that invests billions intended to keep Massachusetts thriving, including millions of dollars earmarked towards Berkshire County projects. There is an energy and environment bill, with widely varying versions passed by the Senate and House, that includes many important provisions to protect our environment. There is a health care reform bill intended to improve services and lower costs and a closeout budget to end the 2024 Fiscal Year. 

Please be in touch with questions on any state government issue. Our full contact information is available at senatorpaulmark.com.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to be your voice in the Senate, Paul 

Goal: Help People Stay in Their Homes 

By Christine Rasmussen

Dear Carole, 

At the Executive Committee meeting of Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), we learned about this new initiative, which may benefit residents who qualify. So here is a quick article. Thanks for the opportunity and for caring about our health!

For many elderly people, physical and cognitive limitations and barriers can make it challenging to live in the home they love. Yet, finding funding to make needed additions or adaptations can be challenging. 

So, I am delighted to report that the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission recently announced county residents now have access to a state-funded Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) that offers zero percent interest loans of up to $50,000 ($30,000 for owners of manufactured or mobile homes) to assist homeowners with projects including ramps and lifts, kitchen and bathroom adaptations, sensory integration spaces, fencing, handrails, brighter lighting, widening of doorways, flooring renovations, and creation of additional living space, including accessory dwelling units or in-law apartments. 

The Income Guidelines are for a one-person household of $207,800, a two-person household of $237,600, and four-person households of $296,800. No monthly payments are required; repayment occurs only when the property is sold or transferred. Landlords with fewer than ten units may be eligible for a 3% loan for a tenant.

Note: This is not a home repair program that repairs roofs, windows, heating, or septic systems; it is strictly for modifications that a professional determines are necessary for a person to continue living in the home. 

I would strongly encourage anyone interested to contact the BRPC coordinator, Christine Lewis, at 413 442 1521 ext. 23, clewis@berkshireplanning.org. She will help with the application process. For more state program information, visit: https://cedac.org/hmlp/