| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield Tax Rate Drops, But Bills May RiseBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:01PM / Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The administration has presented a split rate that would increase the average single-family home's annual bill by about $220.
On the agenda for Thursday's City Council meeting is a hearing for the fiscal 2026 tax rate: $17.50 per $1,000 of valuation for residential property and $36.90 for commercial, industrial, and personal property. This rate uses a residential factor of 0.8299 at a shift of 1.75.
While the rate is 44 cents cheaper than the year before for residential properties and more than a dollar cheaper for commercial properties, bills will rise.
The FY26 levy limit of $119.5 million includes more than $2 million in new
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Second Defendant Charged in Taconic Teen MurderBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | |
 The Berkshire District Attorney's Office announced that Sergio Ponce, 17 years old of Pittsfield, will be arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court for the alleged Oct. 26 murder of Brodie Slonski. The Defendant is charged with Murder. The arraignment is expected to take place at approximately 2pm.
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Berkshire District Attorney's Office says Brodie Slonski was killed over an underground vape ring. On Friday, Jaequan Spratling, who will be 19 next month, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court after being arrested the previous evening in the murder of 17-year-old Slonski last week. Spratling is alleged to 0 Comments
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Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Public Workshop| 08:26AM / Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development has announced a public workshop and input session as part of the preparation of the city's Master Plan. In collaboration with VHB, the Department has initiated a year-long planning process aimed at crafting a Master Plan that will guide the city's growth and change while preserving its unique character and reflecting shared community values. The updated Master Plan will serve as a key policy document for physical development, addressing critical areas such as land use, infrastructure, sustainability. Input from city residents is a crucial part of the planning 0 Comments
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Dalton Fire Navigates Space & ADA Compliance Challenges By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:40AM / Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | |
A bunk for firefighters. DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District is revisiting how to address its space limitations and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues. The Board of Water Commissioners established an ad hoc committee last month to investigate the options to address the station's needs in a feasible manner. There are a lot of unknowns right now, said Chair James Driscoll. During a tour of the station on Oct. 21, many ideas were tossed around, including building an addition, clearing outdated and unused equipment, reorganizing the space, and renting space next to the station. However, it was highlighted during 0 Comments
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Lanesborough Tax Rate Up 3%By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:20AM / Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | |
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board has adopted a single tax rate that will increase the average homeowner's annual bill by about $350.
With a rate of $17.29 per $1,000 valuation, the average single-family home (valued at nearly $351,000) will see a $350 increase, and the average commercial property (valued over $543,000) will increase by $438 per year. This rate is 56 cents higher than last year's $16.73 per $1,000 valuation; the average residential tax bill has risen $700 in the past two years.
"Historically, as part of their annual budget policy, the Select Board and Finance Committee have endorsed a single tax rate option, providing no exemption or
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Veterans Thanked for Service on a Snowy Veterans DayBy Tammy Daniels, Stephen Dravis & Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:16PM / Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | |
Snow was falling over the county as communities held Veterans Day observances. Above, the honor guard at the North Adams ceremony. More photos here. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams observed Veterans Day with the first snow of season falling across the granite Veterans Memorial. "As we stand here shivering and wishing we were home with a coffee, just remember what our soldiers went through," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "So we can make it." Mitchel Keil, American Legion Post 125 adjutant and master of ceremonies, said there had been a debate Tuesday morning about holding the services inside. "But in true fashion, as a 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Interim Superintendent Offered Year's Contract ExtensionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:50PM / Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee has voted to offer interim Superintendent Latifah Phillips a yearlong contract extension.
The decision was made last week, when the agenda included deliberation about whether to advertise for a superintendent of the Pittsfield Public Schools who would begin in July 2026.
"I respect the conversation that you're having because I do believe the system is for the community, and you want the best for your community," Phillips said.
"Even though I'm coming in, I also want the best for your community, because that's my core belief about public education and the role of public education for the
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1Berkshire's Berkshire Leadership Program Accepting Applications | 01:55PM / Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire's Berkshire Leadership Program (BLP) Class of 2026 will kick off with a two-day retreat Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25, which includes training in many facets of leadership, problem-solving techniques, and networking. "The Berkshire Leadership Program is one of the most comprehensive ways to learn about the community and a great opportunity for additional professional development," said Christine Hoyt, 1Berkshire Director of Member Services and BLP Coordinator. The retreat is followed by weekly sessions held on Thursdays, April 30 - June 25, focusing on areas of economic development, healthcare, 0 Comments
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Community Hero of the Month: Stan KmonBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:29PM / Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | |
Stanley Kmon with family at Friday's flag-raising. DALTON, Mass. — Longtime resident and member of the Dalton American Legion Stanley Kmon has been selected as our November Community Hero of the month. Community Hero of the Month is a 12-month series that honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on their community. This year's sponsor is Window World of Western Massachusetts. Nominate a hero here. Kmon has lived in Dalton for more than 60 years. During that time, he became a cornerstone of the community — not only as a resident but as a public servant. His commitment to service is perhaps most evident 0 Comments
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PHS and Shakespeare & Company Announce Collaborative 'Hamlet' Production| 10:23AM / Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield High School’s Proteus, in collaboration with Shakespeare & Company, has announced a joint production of William Shakespeare’s tragedy, "Hamlet." The production features a student-led creative team, including directors Darius Journigan and Naire Poole, costume designer Michelle Hathaway, and production designer Alec Westmoreland. The show is scheduled for a limited run of three performances across two locations. The Pittsfield High School venue will host performances on Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2:30 p.m in its auditorium. Tickets for the PHS performances are $5 for students and 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Hub Program Has Served 85 'High Risk' PeopleBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:10AM / Tuesday, November 11, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Hub has served 85 people since its establishment in 2022, and the need continues.
Last week, Lindsay Cornwell of the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office updated the Homelessness Advisory Committee on the program. Chair Kim Borden said the committee was "very aware of the vital role the hub plays, and can continue to play in our community."
The Pittsfield hub is a team of designated staff from community and government agencies that meets weekly to address specific situations involving clients facing elevated risk levels and develops a mediated, coordinated, and integrated response to the mobilization of resources. (North Adams has
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Morris Elementary Celebrates Veterans Day EarlyBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:50PM / Monday, November 10, 2025 | |
 LENOX, Mass. — Morris Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day a day early on Monday with its annual Wave Parade. Approximately 321 students lined West Street to wave and cheer for the community's veterans and active service members in the area. The street was filled with cheers, flags, thank-yous, and excitement. As the veterans drove past, some students could be heard discussing the various wars and when they occurred. The initiative started in 2021, in part because of the pandemic, and has continued, Principal Brenda Kelley said. "We wanted to do something nice to honor the veterans but obviously we had to do some social 0 Comments
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