>>> COMING UP, STORIES WE'RE CONNECTING YOU WITH TONIGHT.

REIMAGINING MASSACHUSETTS POST-PANDEMIC.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING DRASTICALLY WRONG IN OUR SOCIETY AND OUR COMMONWEALTH WHEN YOU SEE SUCH DISPARITIES EITHER BY INCOME, BY RACE, AND BY COMMUNITY.

>> ADDRESSING ISSUES OF RACIAL INEQUITY THROUGH ART AND DESIGN.

>> BUT I THINK WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS KIND OF FLOOD THE QUAD.

REALLY HAVE LOTS OF SIGNAGE THAT YOU'RE A LITTLE BIT OVERWHELMEDBLY IT.

>> AND SOME SPRINGFIELD RESIDENTS ARE BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF AS DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPOSED BIO MASS PLANT SUFFERS A SETBACK.

>> THE DAYS OF POLLUTERS BEING RUBBER STAMMED IN SPRINGFIELD IS OVER.

>> DETAILS AND THOSE FORCE AND MORE UP NEXT ON CONNECTING POINT.

SPHIE.D GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING POINT."

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

IF YOU'VE BEEN IN NORTH ADAMS VEEM, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THESE BILLBOARDS NEAR MASS MONICA.

-- MASS MOCA.

THEY'RE FOR THE NATIONAL RESIST COVID TAKE SIX CAMPAIGN WHICH IS BASED ON THE WORK OF ARTIST CARRIE MAE WEEMS AND AIMS TO ADDRESS RACIAL INENQUITS THAT HAVE EXISTED IN THE UNITED STATES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS HAS DECIDED TO TAKE THIS CAMPAIGN AND ADOPT IT ON CAMPUS, TO ADDRESS BROADER ISSUES STUDENT SAY THEY FACE SURROUNDING RACE.

CONNECTING POINT'S ROB LIPPMAN SHOWS US THE DO THE WORK OF ANTIRACISM CAMPAIGN AND HOW A DESIGN CLASS IS BRINGING ITSMENTAL TO LIFE.

>> ART PROFESSOR MELANIE -- >> WAIT, WAIT, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT ONE.

>> AND SOPHOMORE ELOISE BAKER ARE TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT LETTERS.

>> AND THEN WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS PUT SOME OTHER SPACING IN BETWEEN THESE TO SPREAD IT OUT.

>> LETTERS THAT ARE THE RIGHT SHAPE AND SIZE AND STYLE FOR A MESSAGE.

>> LET ME JUST SEE WHAT THAT MEASUREMENT IS GOING TO BE.

>> SHE TEACHES THE INTERMEDIATE DESIGN CLASS THAT IS CREATING SIGNS FOR A NEW CAMPAIGN.

IT'S ONE THEY HOPE WILL MAKE -- >> THIS IS OUR PAPER GUIDE.

>> AN IMPRESSION.

AND AS THEY DO THE WORK OF GETTING THE WORD OUT, THE GOAL IS FOR M CLA TO DO THE WORK OF ANTIRACISM.

>> THE NAME OF THE CAMPAIGN IS DO THE WORK OF ANTIRACISM.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO DO IS KIND OF FLOOD THE QUAD, REALLY HAVE LOTS OF SIGNAGE THAT YOU'RE A LITTLE BIT OVERWHELMED BY IT.

>> THE PROCESS BEHIND CREATING THIS DESIGN.

>> I'M JUST MEASURING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THIS SPACE IS.

>> REQUIRES TIME, PATIENCE, AND A LOT OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

>> THIS GUIDE OUT A LITTLE BIT TO 12 AND THREE-QUARTERS.

>> NOT ONLY WHEN IT COMES TO PRINTING -- BUT ALSO WHEN IT COMES TO LISTENING.

>> WHAT IS IT SPECIFICALLY THAT YOU'RE EXPERIENCING WHEN YOU GO TO THESE PLACES?

>> THE DESIGN CLASS IS PARTNERING WITH THE BIRK SHIRE CULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER AND ITS DIRECTOR ERICA WALL TO MAKE SURE THE CAMPAIGN IS GUIDED BY THE EXPERIENCES OF STUDENTS OF COLOR THROUGH A SERIES OF LISTENING SESSIONS.

>> WE'RE AT A PARTICULAR TIME WHERE PEOPLE AND INSTITUTIONS ARE BEING ASKED TO SHOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO MAKE CHANGE, AND SO AGAIN, I THINK THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MODEL FOR OUR STUDENTS AND ENGAGE OUR STUDENTS IN WHAT ALLYSHIP AND BEING AN ACCOMPLISH IS ABOUT.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANSWERS TO THIS BECAUSE I'M STILL -- HOW I WANT TO BE TREATED AS A HUMAN BEING.

>> THE LISTENING SESSIONS PROVIDED STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES ON CAMPUS.

IN THIS PARTICULAR SESSION, ONE THEME THAT CAME UP OFTEN IS THAT THESE DESCRIEWNTS TIRED -- THESE STUDENTS ARE TIRED J I'M TIRED.

I'M TIRED OF ANSWERING THIS QUESTION.

IF I'M BEING HONEST AND TRANSPARENT, A LOT HAS BEEN GOING ON.

>> I THINK FOR ME IT WAS HEARING HOW TIRED OUR COLLEAGUES OF COLOR AND STUDENTS OF COLOR ARE OF HAVING TO EXPLAIN THINGS, OF HAVING TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES, OF GOING INTO A SPACE AND NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED.

>> AND THAT'S WHERE THE "DO THE WORK" NAME CAME FROM.

FROM THOSE SESSIONS, EACH STUDENT CREATED THEIR OWN DESIGN.

ULTIMATELY WITH ELOISE'S BEING SELECTED AS THE FINAL LOGO.

>> THE REASON I WENT WITH THAT IS BECAUSE WHEN WE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SOME OF THE STUDENTS OF COLOR AT M CLA, REALLY COMMON THING THAT THEY BROUGHT UP IS HOW TIRED THEY ARE OF HAVING TO DO ALL OF THIS WORK TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES, SO I WANTED TO SEMITIC SOMETHING THAT WAS PUSHING FOR WHITE PEOPLE TO DO MORE OF THAT WORK SO THEY DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO.

>> THE PROJECT WAS INSPIRED BY THESE BILLBOARDS NEAR MASS MOCA.

PART OF THE RESIST COVID TAKE SIX CAMPAIGN AIMED AT ADDRESSING THE RACIAL INENGQUITS THAT HAVE EXISTED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE ARE ACTUALLY ONE OF THE FIRST RURAL COMMUNITIES TO TAKE ON THIS CAMPAIGN.

>> MCLA WAS PART OF A GROUP OF IPTION TUESDAYS THAT PAID FOR THESE -- INSTITUTION THAT PAID FOR THESE AND RAISED THE MONEY AND HAS PROMPTED A LARGER DIALOGUE SURROUNDING RACE TO START ON CAMPUS.

>> WE SEE THE ACTION WHERE IT ISN'T JUST FOLKS WHO ARE BEING OPPRESSED, SPEAKING OUT.

IT IS THOSE THAT SEE THAT OPPRESSION WHO MAY NOT FEEL IT DIRECTLY AND SPEAKING ON THEIR BEHALF, ADVOCATING, BUT MAKING A CHANGE.

>> SOON THEY'LL BE FILLED WITH SIGNS AND BANNERS, ASKING YOU TO DO THE WORK.

AND FOR THE DESIGN CLASS, TAKING ON AN ISSUE WITH REAL WORLD STAKES MAKES THE WORK BEHIND THE DESIGN FEEL MORE LIKE A JOB AND LESS LIKE HOMEWORK.

>> IT PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE HOW WE DO THIS IN THE WORKFORCE, HOW WE EXPLORE THESE SORT OF ISSUES AND ADDRESS THEM AND RESOLVE THEM ON A DAILY BASIS AND THE THINGS THAT WE DO.

SO FOR A DESIGNER, THIS IS HOW IT WORKS.

>> I THINK THEY FELT THIS IS MEANINGFUL AND THAT WHAT WE WERE DOING COULD MATTER FOR THEM AND FOR OTHER PEOPLE.

>>> EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT CONNECTING POINT EXPLORES THE PEOPLE, PLACE, AND IDEAS THAT MATTER MOST TO WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT, INCLUDING A DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE THIS WEEK IN HONOR OF NATIONAL POETRY MONTH.

VIETNAM VETERAN AND AWARD-WINNING POET AND FICTION WRITER DOUG ANDERSON OF NORTHAMPTON SHARES THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS WORK "NIGHT AMBUSH," AND READS A SELECTION OF THE HAUNTING POEM FOR US.

>> IT IS SO QUIET YOU CAN HEAR A SAFETY CLICKED OFF ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER SIDE.

THINGS LIVE IN MY HAIR.

I DO NOT BATHE.

I HAVE THROWN AWAY MY UNDERWEAR.

I HAVE FORGOTTEN THE WHY OF EVERYTHING.

I SENSE AN INDIFFERENCE LARGER THAN ANYTHING I KNOW.

>> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE VACCINATED AND WE BEGIN TO MOVE INTO A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD, MANY ARE LEFT WONDERING WHAT WILL THIS NEW NORMAL LOOK LIKE.

STATE SENATOR ADAM SHIENDZ CHAIRING A COMMITTEE TITLED, "REIMAGINING MASSES, POST-PANDEMIC RESILIENCY."

THE COMMITTEE WILL BE HOLDING LISTENING TOURS THROUGHOUT THE REGION TO HEAR HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED THE STATE'S RESIDENTS AND WHAT SUPPORT IS NEEDED AND I SPOKE WITH SENATOR HINDS TO LEARN MORE.

>> THIS IS A COMMITTEE THAT'S ESSENTIALLY SAYING, WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC AND ITS DISTORTION IMPACT IN TERMS OF HEALTH OUTCOMES, ECONOMIC OUTCOMES, WHO WAS IMPACTED FIRST AND LONGEST, AND REALLY UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S SOMETHING DRASTICALLY WRONG IN OUR SOCIETY AND COMMON QELTDZ WHEN YOU SEE -- COMMONWEALTH SUCH DISPARITIES BY INCOME, RACE, AND COMMUNITY.

AND SO IN THE FIRSTHAND IT'S TACKLING THAT.

AND SAYING WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

WE NEED TO CREATE MORE RESILIENCE AND THE STRUCTURE OF OUR COMMONWEALTH.

AND ON THE OTHER HAND IT'S LOOKING AT THE REALITY THAT A LOT IS CHANGING BECAUSE OF COVID OR MAYBE ACCELERATED BECAUSE OF COVID AND I'M THINKING ABOUT YOU KNOW, INCREASED RELIANCE ON TELEMEDICINE, REMOTE WORK.

WE MAYBE HAVE SECTORS IN OUR ECONOMY CHANGING.

AND SO THAT HAS A WHOLE RANGE OF IMPLICATIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR, YOU KNOW, WORKFORCE TRAINING, FOR DIGITAL ACCESS, AND THE LIKE.

SO IT'S REALLY BEING DELIVERED TO LOOK AT WHERE THE COMMONWEALTH NEEDS TO MAKE INVESTMENTS SO WE CAN BUILD BACK STRONGER.

>> NOW, YOU RECENTLY JUST HELD YOUR FIRST LISTENING SESSION IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF THAT STATEMENT.

WHAT WERE SOME THINGS YOU LEARNED FROM THAT SESSION AND WERE THERE ANY EVIL RACES THAT -- REVELATIONS THAT SURPRISED YOU?

>> THE DIGITAL DIVIDE CAME OUT.

WE LEARNED 21% OF MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE A HARD WIRE INTERNET CONNECTION INTO THEIR HOUSE OR APARTMENT.

AND MAYBE RELY ON PHONES OR DON'T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS AT ALL.

97 OF THOSE FOLKS ARE IN OUR DOUBTS AND URBAN AREAS.

AND -- DOUBTS AND URBAN AREAS.

SO WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO WHEN WE'RE DOING MORE REMOTE LEARNING.

SO THAT WAS A BIG ONE THAT CAME OUT.

WE'RE ALSO INCREASINGLY FOCUSING ON CHILD CARE AND THE CENTRAL ROLE OF CHILD CARE IN ENSURING WE HAVE AN EQUITABLE RECOVERY THAT FOLKS CAN PARTICIPATE IN A SECTOR WHERE THEY MIGHT BE WORKING FROM HOME AND ALSO UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE CARE ECONOMY, THE ROLE IT PLAYS.

YOU KNOW, OUR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE OFTEN SOME OF OUR LOW-WAGE INNERS -- EARNERS AND THAT'S NOT A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR A SHIFT IN OUR WORKFORCE THAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE STATISTIC THAT YOU MENTIONED, ABOUT THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, BECAUSE IT'S FASCINATING THAT THE HIGH PERCENTAGES COMING FROM THE DOWNTOWN AREAS.

AND LIVING ON THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE WHERE WE HAVE MORE RURAL AREAS, THAT'S WHERE WE SEE THAT CONNECTIVITY ISSUES.

CAN YOU SPEAK ON THE IMPACT OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE?

>> YOU NAILED IT.

THAT WAS A REAL EYE-OPENER FOR ME, BECAUSE I'VE CONSTANTLY TALKED ABOUT THIS DIGITAL DIVIDE IN TERMS OF RURAL MOSTLY AND ACCESS AND GETTING ALL OF OUR TOWNS HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

AND THAT IS A CONCERN AND STILL AN ONGOING PROCESS, BUT WHAT I DIDN'T REALIZE IS EVEN IN OUR DOUBTS, WE HAVE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.

RIGHT WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, THE SUMMIT OF PITSFIELD SCHOOLS DID A SURVEY OF PARENTS AND THEY FOUND THAT JUST UNDER 2,000 STUDENTS DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET AT HOME.

THAT'S A REAL EYE-OPENER.

THAT WILL CLEARLY BE ONE OF THE PROPOSALS COMING OUT OF THIS COMMITTEE, IS HOW DO WE ENSURE AN AFFORDABLE, YOU KNOW, ACCESS TO INTERNET.

>> NOW, ASIDE FROM THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, WHAT OTHER ISSUES IS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS FACING AS WE COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC THAT DIFFERS FROM THE CONCERNS THAT THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE IS SEEING?

>> WE MAY NOT KNOW UNTIL MAYBE THE END OF THIS CALENDAR HERE, EVEN INTO NEXT YEAR, HOW MANY EMPLOYERS ARE ACTUALLY GOING INTO A REMOTE POSTURE OR MAYBE IT'S A HYBRID WHERE YOU HAVE TO GO IN TWO TIMES A WEEK.

AND SO WE EXPECT THAT THAT HAS A REAL SHIFT IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS IN TERMS OF, MAYBE YOU CAN LIVE OUT HERE.

MAYBE PEOPLE CAN HOFF TO WESTERN MASS -- MOVE TO WESTERN MASS.

IT ELSECRETARY OF STATES THE IMPORTANCE OF RAIL, BECAUSE YOU CAN HOP ON THE TRAIN AND GO TO BOSTON AND ANY ECONOMIC CENTER FOR THAT WORK, THEN YOU CAN LIVE ANYWHERE.

AND YOU MIGHT AS WELL LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE IT'S AFFORDABLE WITH A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE EXPECT A LOT OF EMPLOYERS TO EXPERIMENT.

DO THEY SEE THAT IT WORKS TO HAVE A HYBRID WORK MACE OR MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WORKING REMOMENTLY, DEPENDING ON THE INDUSTRY.

>> MANY OF THE INEQUITIES HAVE BEEN AROUND FAR BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

HOW DOES THE COMMITTEE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT ARE RAISED DURING THESE LISTENING SESSIONS?

>> YOU KNOW, INTERESTINGLY, WE REALIZE THAT DATA IS AS CRITICAL AS ANYTHING.

UNDERSTANDING THE HEALTH DATA, A BIG PART OF GETTING TOWARDS HEALTH EQUITY.

SO WE'LL BE PUSHING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HELD IN THOSE AREAS.

AND THEN I ANTICIPATE THAT BY THE TIME WE HAVE A FEW OF THESE LISTENING SESSIONS AND WE'LL REALLY FRONT LOAD THEM THIS SPRING AND SUMMER, THAT BY THE SUMMERTIME WE'LL HAVE A PACKAGE OF ESSENTIALLY PROBE A LAW -- PROBABLY A LAW THAT WILL SAY WE NEED TO INVEST MORE IN DIGITAL AND HERE'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO LOWER COSTS.

WE NEED TO DO MORE FOR OUR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND ACHIEVING UNIVERSAL OR AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE.

AND REALLY DOWN THE LINE.

WE'RE SEEING CHANGES IN HOW OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES, YOU KNOW, THE ROLE THAT THEY PLAY IN WORKFORCE TRAINING AND -- IT'S -- THERE ISN'T A SECTOR IN OUR ECONOMY THAT ISN'T BEING TOUCHED RIGHT NOW.

SO WE'RE GOING TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND IDENTIFY STRATEGIES TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR POST COVID.

>> BEYOND THIS COMMITTEE, WHAT ARE SOME OTHER WAYS THAT WE CAN IN FACT ENSURE THAT OUR COMMONWEALTH IS INDEED RESILIENCE POST-PANDEMIC?

>> WE'RE GOING INTO THE BUDGET AND WE HAVE A MAJOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.

AND HONESTLY, THAT'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY.

I WOULD SAY THAT THESE ARE GENERATIONAL INVESTMENTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF THE SIZE.

AND IT'S COMING AT A MOMENT WHEN WE ARE WE'RE REALIZING THAT THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR COMMONWEALTH FROM AN EQUITY PERSPECTIVE ARE SHAKY AT BEST.

AND SO THIS IS THE MOMENT TO REALLY DIG IN TO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR WHERE WE'RE SPENDING THAT ESTIMATED $4.5 BILLION IN DIRECT STATE FUNDING AND THERE ARE OTHER POTS OF MONEY, TOO, FOR BOTH HEALTH EQUITY AND EDUCATION AND THE LIKE.

SO THIS IS A MOMENT.

AND THAT'S AN EXCITING PIECE HERE, IS THAT NOW YOU CAN'T IGNORE WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH.

YOU CAN'T IGNORE THE IMPLICATIONS THAT IT HAS CAUSED.

AND THEREFORE LET'S COL UP -- COME UP WITH SOME SERIOUS STRATEGIES THROUGH THIS COMMITTEE, THROUGH OUR BECOMES, AND THE LAWS THAT WE'RE TACKLING DURING THE REST OF THIS SESSION.

>>> ONE OF HAMPDEN COUNTY'S MOST POPULAR WALKING, HIKING, AND BIKING LOW CALS MAY VERY WELL BE ON ITS WAY TO PERMANENT PROTECTION STATUS.

THIS MEANS THAT IF THE TRANSACTION BETWEEN WEST SPRINGFIELD, THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION, AND MASS AUDUBON GOES THROUGH, THE LAND WILL NEVER BE DEVELOPED ON.

BRIAN SULLIVAN PAID A VISIT TO THE BEAR HOLE RESERVOIR LAST FALL TO BRING US THE STORY.

>> THAT IS A ROAD IN WEST SPRINGFIELD THAT SINCE LATE MARCH OF 2020 HAS SEEN SUCH AN INCREASE IN TRAFFIC THAT SIGNS HAVE BEGUN TO DOT THE LANDSCAPES UP AND DOWN THE STREET, HOPEFULLY DETERRING VISITORS FROM TREATING THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE A LOCAL RACETRACK.

THE DESTINATION IS THE PARKING AREA AT BEAR HOLE RESERVOIR AND ON ANY GIVEN SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, BIKERS AND WALKERS, MANY WITH THEIR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS, CAN BE FOUND TAKING TO THE TRAILS THAT TWIST AND TURN THROUGH ONE OF THE LARGEST SWATTEDS OF UNPROTECTED OPEN SPACE IN THE -- SWATHS OF UNPROTECTED OPEN SPACE IN THE CONNECTICUT VALLEY.

WHILE THE NUMBER OF VISITORS MAY BE UP, FOLKS SIMPLY ENJOYING ALL THAT THE LANDSCAPE HAS TO OFFER IS NOTHING NEW FOR LOCALS.

>> I GREW UP REALLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM BEAR HOLE.

SO AS KIDS WE USED TO PLAY BACK HERE, RIDE OUR BIKES BACK HERE.

THAT'S WHAT REALLY TURNED ME ON TO ALL THE TRAILS IS TAKING IT RIGHT UP.

THERE'S A COUPLE TRAILS LEAD UP INTO HERE.

SO OUR FRIENDS ARE BACK HERE ALL THE TIME.

>> IT'S A LOCATION RICH WITH HISTORY.

SOME DATING BACK TO THE 1800s LIKE THIS OLD FIREPLACE.

THIS IS ALL THAT REMAINS OF A ONCE EXCLUSIVE RESORT WHERE A SELECT FEW LOCALS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE AS A MEANS OF GETTING AWAY FROM THE CITY.

THIS RESERVOIR, HOWEVER, REPRESENTS SOME OF THE MORE RECENT HISTORY.

NO LONGER PROVIDING WATER FOR AREA RESIDENTS, THE PUMPSATION AND THE FILTER BED STAND VACATED AND UNUSED.

NOW IT'S A STARTING POINT FOR TAKING THE DOG FOR A WALK OR RIPPING THROUGH THE WOODS ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE.

BUT SINCE THE PROPERTY NO LONGER FALLS UNDER THE HEADING OF PROTECTED WATER USE LANDS, IT BECOMES VULNERABLE TO DEVELOPMENT.

THAT IS, UNLESS WEST SPRINGFIELD WERE TO SELL WHAT IS CALLED A PERMANENT CONSERVATION RESTRICTION ON THE LAND.

THAT DEAL IS CURRENTLY IN THE WORKS WITH MASS AUDUBON AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION.

>> WE'RE SELLING AN EASEMENT OVER THE LAND.

SO WE'RE SELLING OFF OUR RIGHTS TO EVER DEVELOP IT.

WE'RE SAYING TO AUDUBON IN EXCHANGE FOR A MILLION DOLLARS, NEVER TO BUILD ON THIS LAND, NEVER TO SECTION IT OFF OR CUT IT AWAY AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT WITH A CONTRACT.

>> IN RETURN THE DCR AND MASS AUDUBON WILL RECEIVE THE MILES OF TRAILS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT LIVES WITHIN THE PROPERTY'S PERIMETERS.

PLANT, FISH, MAMMAL, BIRD, AMPHIBIAN, AND INSECT.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE TRAILS REGARDING ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS REMAINS TO BE SEEN AND THIS IS A CONCERN FOR MANY IN THE CYCLING COMMUNITY.

BUT FOR NOW, THE SCENERY REMAINS INTACT.

THIS INCLUDES FLOWING WATER THAT CASCADESES OVER -- CASCADES OVER ROCKS.

DURING OUR VISIT THAT FLOW WAS ONLY A FRACTION OF WHAT IT NORMALLY IS, ANY WATERFALL IS ALWAYS A BIG ATTRACTION, ESPECIALLY WITH ME.

IT MAY FEEL A BUILT REMOVED FROM THE MODERN WORLD, BUT THE TRUTH IS WE'RE ACTUALLY WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF SOME OF THE MORE URBANIZED AREAS OF HOLYOKE, SPRINGFIELD, AND WEST SPRINGFIELD AND A PAIR OF MAJOR HIGHWAYS.

BUT I'M STILL MORE LIKELY TO COME ACROSS A GREATER NUMBER OF PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES THAN I AM OF HUMAN BEINGS.

THE PLAN IS TO KEEP IT THAT WAY IN PER PI TIEWLT.

-- PER PI TIEWLT.

REMAINING THAT BARRIER WHILE MAKING SURE THAT ALL WHO WANT TO ENJOY ITS SPLENDORS ARE COMING UP TO VISIT IS A CHALLENGE THAT MASS AUDUBON AND THE DCR DID NOT WANT TO PASS UP.

>> BEAR HOLE IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO MIX BOTH OF THOSE.

PROTECTING A VERY LARGE TRACT OF VERY IMPORTANT LAND, HIGHLY BIO DIVERSE LAND.

1,500 ACRES OF LAND IN REALLY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE REALLY JUST DON'T SEE.

I DON'T KNOW OF ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY LIKE IT IN MASSACHUSETTS.

¶ ¶ >>> SPRINGFIELD RESIDENTS AS WELL AS PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES ARE BREATHING A BIG SIGH OF RELIEF IN THE 12-YEAR BATTLE OVER A PROPOSED BIO MASS PLANT IN SPRINGFIELD.

THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION RECENTLY REVOKED A KEY AIR PERMIT FOR THE CONTROVERSIAL PLANT THAT WAS ISSUED -- INITIALLY ISSUED NEARLY NINE YEARS AGO.

IF CONSTRUCTED, THE PLANT WOULD HAVE BURNED ABOUT 1200 TONS OF WASTE WOOD A DAY IN EAST SPRINGFIELD AND AMONG THE COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO VOICED OPPOSITION WAS CITY COUNCILOR JESSE LEDERMAN.

RAY HER SHELL SAT DOWN WITH LEATHERMAN TO GET HIS REACTION.

>> IT WAS CERTAINLY WELCOME NEWS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD TAKEN THAT STEP.

THIS IS A CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN RAISED FOR OVER A DECADE HERE IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD BY RESIDENTS, BY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

REALLY BECAUSE OF THE STATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AIR QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE CITY.

AND JUST THE FEELING THAT WE NEEDED TO SEE MORE OVERSIGHT AND PROTECTION BY THE STATE FOR COMMUNITIES LIKE OURS.

SO THE NEWS WAS WELCOME NEWS HERE IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.

>> AND AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS BATTLE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A DECADE NOW.

I THINK FINAL APPROVAL FOR THE PROJECT WAS EVEN GIVEN BACK IN 2012, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.

WHAT TRANSPIRED, WHAT WAS THE DETERMINING FACTOR IN DEP'S REVOKING THE LICENSE THAT ORIGINALLY HAD BEEN APPROVED?

>> YOU KNOW, HEY -- RAY, I THINK THIS IS A STORY OF COMMUNITY ACTION AND PERSEVERANCE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATE OF THESE TYPES OF REGULATIONS 10 YEARS AGO, THEY WERE IN A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

10 YEARS AGO WITH REGARD TO THESE AIR PERMITS, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO THE CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

AND WHEN I SAY ENVIROMENTAL JUSTICE, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT FOR GENERATIONS, CITIES LIKE SPRINGFIELD HAVE BEEN STARTED BY POLLUTERS AND WE HAVE REALLY SEEN UNFORTUNATELY POLLUTERS BE RUBBER STAMPED IN OUR COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS, WHICH HAS LED TO THE VERY REAL AND VERY CONCERNING HEALTH DISPARITIES.

BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT IN THOSE INTERVENING YEARS, THE COMMUNITY HAS REALLY COME TOGETHER AND DEMANDED THAT MORE ACTION BE TAKEN AND MORE PROTECTIONS BE PUT IN PLACE, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY THAT NOW EXISTS FOR STATE AGENCIES, AND ALSO WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE RECENT MASSACHUSETTS CLIMATE BILL, THE SOLIDIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONSIDERATIONS FOR THESE TYPES OF INCINERATORS IN MASSACHUSETTS LAW.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE OPPOSITION THAT WAS GENERATED FROM THE START OF THIS CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT.

AND HOW IT GREW OVER THE YEARS.

THIS WAS A GRASS-ROOTS OPPOSITION EFFORT, WAS IT NOT, IN TERMS OF GETTING THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED AND CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE OPPOSITION OF THIS PLAN.

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

THIS CAMPAIGN THAT HAS -- CITY OF SPRINGFIELD HAS SEEN IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, REALLY REPRESENTED AN UNPRECEDENTED GRASSROOTS MOBILIZATION AND AN UNPRECEDENTED COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND REGULATORS.

I REMEMBER A DERKSEP HEARING AT DUGGAN MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT WAS THREE TO 400 PEOPLE COMING OUT TO RAISE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THAT INCINERATOR AND REALLY SINCE THEN, THAT MOVEMENT AND THAT ORGANIZATION OF GRASSROOTS RESIDENTS AND ACTIVISTS HAS REALLY CONTINUED TO GROW.

>> STATISTICALLY, I THINK, SOMETHING LIKE ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN IN SPRINGFIELD HAS ASTHMA PROBLEMS.

IN TERMS OF THE AIR QUALITY AND WHAT THIS IS GOING TO MEAN AS FAR AS PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS, THE HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CITY, WHAT DOES THIS REVOCATION MEAN IN TERMS OF ITS IMPACT?

>> ONE OF THE PRIMARY CONCERNS THAT'S BEEN RAISED FROM THE BEGINNING WAS THE ASTHMA RATE.

NOT JUST IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD BUT ALSO IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

SOME OF THE HIGHEST IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND IN RECENT YEARS OR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN STATISTICALLY THAT THIS METROPOLITAN REGION, SORT OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD, HAS BEEN NAMED THE ASTHMA CAPITAL OF THE COUNTRY BECAUSE NOT ONLY OF THE ASTHMA RATES BUT THE NUMBER OF E.R.

VISITS THAT WE SEE ASSOCIATED WITH ASTHMASSIC ATTACKS WHICH ALSO -- EASY MAT TECH ATTACKS.

WHAT HAS BEEN RAISED HISTORICALLY IS THE CONCERN OF FURTHER DEGRADING AIR QUALITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT I THINK WHAT THIS MESSAGE THAT DEP IS SENDING IS ONE THAT I HAVE LONG CHAMPIONED, WHICH IS TO SAY THE DAYS OF POLLUTERS BEING RUBBER STAMPED IN CITIES LIKE SPRINGFIELD IS OVER.

AND THOSE DAYS MUST BE OVER IF WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES.

>> COUNCIL LEATHERMAN, NOW -- LEDERMAN, NOW THAT THE PERMIT HAS BEEN WE VOKE -- REVOKED, WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE PROPERTY ITSELF IN EAST SPRINGFIELD?

WHAT HAPPENS ON THAT SITE?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN ANOTHER OPERATION THERE, A PAVING COMPANY, AND THEN IN TERMS OF THIS PROJECT, CERTAINLY YOU KNOW, IT WILL REMAIN TO BE SEEN.

THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE LOCAL SIDE HAS RAISED AN APPEAL WITH THE ZONING BOARD IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD RELATIVE TO THE STATUS OF THE BUILDING PERMIT FOR THIS PROJECT.

YOU KNOW, THE STATE PERMITTING PROCESS BUT ALSO THE LOCAL PERMITTING PROCESS.

SO WE'LL BE BEFORE THE ZONING BOARD REPRESENTING OUR CONCERNS IN THAT REGARD LATER THIS MONTH.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, THERE CONTINUES TO BE UNFORTUNATELY A MOVEMENT AT THE STATE LEVEL TO ADMINISTER CLEAN ENERGY FUNDS FOR BIO MASS INCINERATION, NOT NECESSARILY SPECIFIC TO THIS PROJECT.

BUT IT IS ONE THAT I AM OPPOSED TO AND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL HAS PASSED RESOLUTIONS AGAINST, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO SEE INCREASED POLLUTION ANYWHERE IN OUR COMMONWEALTH AND WE CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO SEE RATE PAYOR DOLLARS THAT ARE PAID FOR BY THE PEOPLE OF SPRINGFIELD AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE THE RATE PAYOR DOLLARS THAT ARE MEANT TO INCREASE TRULY CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THOSE SORT OF INADVERTTENTLY OR INAPPROPRIATELY ROUTED TOWARDS BIO MASS INCINERATION ANYWHERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

WHEN THIS FIRST START, THIS WAS -- STARTED THIS, WAS A PROJECT TO BURN DEMOLITION DEBRIS AND THAT'S NOW ILLEGAL BECAUSE OF LEGISLATION THAT WE PASSED AT THE SPRINGFIELD COUNCIL -- CITY COUNCIL AND BECAUSE OF A STATEWIDE MORATORIUM PUT ON THAT.

WE KNOW THAT SOMETIMES THE POSSIBLY LAGS BEHIND THE SCIENCE AND IT'S OUR JOB TO GO OUT THERE AND ADVOCATE FOR THOSE POLICY CHANGES.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR CONNECTING POINT FOR APRIL 16TH, TWEANL.

-- 2021.

YOU CAN ALWAYS FINES THE -- FIND THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW TONIGHT AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY CONTENT, AND MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

AND PLEASE, JOIN US AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6:00 RIGHT HERE ON NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA FOR MORE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND IDEAS THAT MATTER MOST TO WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.