BRPC - Meeting - Aug. 1st, 2024

This will be a virtual meeting as allowed by Ch. 2 of the Acts of 2023 extending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c.30 sec.20 until March 31, 2025.

To participate virtually join Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3926128831?omn=84810976125
Meeting ID: 392 612 8831, Phone: 646.558.8656, 301.715.8592, 312.626.6799

Meeting Materials are posted at www.berkshireplanning.org. Click on the meeting in the Events Calendar to open them.

Agenda

1. Opening (6:00-6:05)
   a) Call to Order and Open Meeting Law Statement
   b) Roll Call of Commission Members Attending the Meeting
   c) Vote to Approve Minutes of the May 16, 2024 Full Commission Meeting
2. Comments from Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Delegates
   and Alternate Delegates (6:05-6:10)
   BRPC Delegates and Alternates may offer comments on any item not on the agenda.
   Any possible discussion or action will be referred to a future meeting.
3. Comments from the Public (6:10-6:15)
   Members of the public may offer comments regarding topics on the agenda or other
   matters they wish to bring to the Commission’s attention. Comments are to be
   directed to the Commission. Commenters must state their names and the city or
   town they are from. Any possible discussion or action will be referred to a future
   meeting.
4. Presentation of Executive Committee Actions (6:15-6:20)
   Executive Committee actions taken on the Commission’s behalf at its June 6, 2024,
   June 20, 2024 and July 2, 2024 meetings are presented for discussion. Included in
   the material are copies of comment letters submitted on the City of North Adams
   Expanded Environmental Notification for the Mount Williams Reservoir Dam and Notch
   Reservoir Dam improvements and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Interest
   Electric Transmission Corridor proposal.
5. Vote to Ratify Appointment of Representatives to Related Groups Not
   Under the Jurisdiction of the Commission (6:20-6:25)
   The BRPC bylaws require the Commission to ratify the appointment to related groups
   not under the jurisdiction of the Commission made by the Executive Committee.
   - Westfield River Wild and Scenic Advisory Committee - Doug McNally, Windsor
   - Woodlands Partnership of Northwest Massachusetts - Chris Cozzaglio
   - MPO Alternate - Sam Haupt
6. Update on the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment)
   Challenge process (6:25 – 6:35)
   The BEAD Challenge, which closed July 20th, 2024, allowed residents to test their
   internet speed and compare it with what their internet service provider indicates is
   being provided. This test is necessary to potentially be able to access funding to
   improve internet speed. BRPC Senior Planner Wylie Goodman will present results for
   Berkshire County.
7. Presentation on the Berkshire Brownfields Program (6:35 – 6:55)
   BRPC Energy and Environmental Program Manager Melissa Provencher will brief the
   Commission on the highly successful Berkshire Brownfields Program.
8. Vote to Submit Feedback Comments on the Massachusetts Department
   of Energy Resources (DOER) Straw Proposal for its Solar
   Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program (6:55 – 7:10)
   The DOER’s SMART Program is a long-term sustainable solar incentive program that
   promotes cost-effective solar development in the Commonwealth. DOER is requesting
   feedback comments on its Straw Proposal on possible changes.
9. Update on the Commonwealth’s Legislative Session (7:10-7:25)
   The Massachusetts Legislature session had many consequential pieces of legislation for
   its consideration. An update will be provided on some of the items as they directly
   relate to BRPC’s work.
10. Adjournment (7:25)
    Other interested citizens and officials are invited to attend.
    All times listed are estimates of when specific agenda items may be discussed.
    City and Town Clerks: Please post this notice
    BRPC has adopted the BRPC website www.berkshireplanning.org as its official
    posting method as allowed by 940 CMR29.00 section 29.03 (3) (b) since November
    2010.
    The Meeting Notice, Agenda and meeting materials are on BRPC’s website:
    www.berkshireplanning.org. Click the calendar of events, then the meeting name,
    and follow the link to materials.