The services provided by BRPC are determined through outreach to its constituent communities. Regular contact is maintained with municipal officials and other community leaders to solicit their input about their concerns, needs and priorities, both local and regional, and obtain feedback about BRPC services and resources.

The following is a list of potential services.

Formulate and advocate positions based on the Regional Policy Plan and technical analysis which balances the natural and cultural resources of the Berkshires with a vital, sustainable economy.

Prepare and update Comprehensive Regional Plans, such as Regional Transportation Plan, Public Transportation Plans, Infrastructure Plans, County-wide Zoning Map, Housing Characteristics, Natural Resources Inventory, Open Space and Recreational Resources, Economic Development Plans, Demographic Studies, Historical and Archaeological Resource and Preservation Planning, Land Use Planning, etc.

Prepare other studies, reports, and documents as required by Mass. General Laws, Chapter 40B 5. and other enabling federal and state laws.

Encourage use of incentives, cooperation, persuasion and negotiation to achieve planning objectives.

Research, analyze, and disseminate information about innovative and progressive methods of land planning, zoning, conservation, and economic development which are consistent with regional policy.

Actively promote measures to achieve regional Goals and Objectives.

Provide training and support for members of municipal Planning Boards, Boards of Appeals, Boards of Selectmen, Boards of Health, Conservation Commissions, etc.

Prepare and periodically update Technical Reports and Manuals to support and nform local boards about relevant current and pending Laws, Regulations, Case Law, Municipal Bylaws, Master Plans, etc.

Sponsor seminars, meetings, brown bag lunches, lectures, short courses, etc. about methods of improving land use planning, making land use decisions and other topics of interest to the member communities.

Prepare a newsletter highlighting significant regional issues, written in non-technical language for wide circulation to the populace of Berkshire County.

Initiate discussion and development of consensus on issues of regional significance.

Identify and encourage measures to mitigate potential adverse impacts of projects on the proposed locality and region.

Provide professional/technical review of projects with recommendations for action by the Clearinghouse Review Committee, BRPC delegates, Executive Committee, and other constituents.

Encourage formation of Public/Private Partnerships through dialogue and persuasion.

Assist municipalities with planning issues and regulatory affairs.

Act as a liaison between municipalities and other governmental agencies.

Actively work for streamlining of regulatory process; encourage local and regional decision making.

Identify sources of potential grants and assist communities with preparation of grant applications.

Prepare and circulate model bylaws, design guidelines, procedures, checklists and other materials to assist members of local boards.

Review and comment on proposed zoning district changes and bylaw amendments, especially those abutting municipal boundaries. Encourage compatible land uses which minimize regionally adverse impacts of developments.

Maintain a library of local, state and federal information for use by municipalities, land owners, businesses, and other interested parties.

Develop and maintain a Geographic/Land Information System (GIS/LIS) either in-house, or through access to MassGIS system. GIS database and maps include county-wide zoning and land use, wetlands, water supplies, transportation system, public/private open space areas, prime agricultural lands, etc.

Provide technical consulting services (by professional staff or consultants) for individual communities or sub-regional groups. Such services might include:

Technical review of development plans (subdivisions, industrial, large commercial or residential projects, municipal facilities, etc.);

Assistance with preparation of master plans, comprehensive development plans, community action plans, etc.;

Drafting proposed bylaws, performance standards, etc.;

Preparing feasibility studies (for industrial parks, public recreational facilities, parking lots, municipal or regional facilities, etc.).

Prepare grant applications, and perform coordination and administration of grants, including data compilation and processing, seeking endorsements, public participation programs, project management, and other administrative processes required by the granting agency.

Produce customized GIS database queries with maps, charts, and graphs.

Procure circuit riders for each sub-region to assist volunteer municipal boards.

Provide professional staff or consultants to train, assist and advise municipal inspectors/agents for building inspection, zoning enforcement, health board, conservation, etc.

Coordinate with other RPAs to form and utilize a pool of technical support staff or consultants in respective areas of expertise to assist with specific projects undertaken by BRPC or one or more of its constituent communities.

Commissioners and citizens should look to the offices and staff of the BRPC as resources for information and technical assistance. In some cases, the staff can help you locate publications or data.

Sally Bell is a lawyer on retainer to provide legal advice on land use issues for the BRPC. As a staff consultant, she is available to answer questions on issues with which BRPC member communities may be confronted in the course of Planning or Zoning Board or other land use-related regulatory activities. While her services cannot extend to detailed involvement in specific developments, she can provide direction on procedures and general points of law. Community representatives should contact BRPC staff who will research answers for land use issues and/or arrange for Ms. Bell to address your questions.

Maps and aerial photographs at BRPC include those at regional, subregional, and local scales. Transportation, land use, soils, flood zones, open space, scenic mountains, and zoning are among the types of maps included. Check with the staff to see whether existing maps are available for areas of interest to your community, or whether a map can be generated to fill an unmet need.

BRPC has been designated a regional depository for U.S. Census information. Data for individual communities and for larger statistical areas are often available on computer discs or in publications.

The BRPC pays annual dues to maintain a membership in the Planner's Advisory Service. This branch of the American Planning Association will research land use questions from member agencies around the country. They can provide examples from other communities, and will often provide copies of relevant studies, model bylaws, ordinances or other publications. Contact BRPC staff who will forward your request to the service.

The offices of the BRPC at 1 Fenn St. in Pittsfield hold numerous reports and publications. In the BRPC library, much information is available on specific developments, studies or proposals which have arisen within the County. There are also books, periodicals, and government publications.