| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
|
Pittsfield Health Board OKs Green Burial PolicyBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
10:38AM / Friday, November 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Board of Health last week approved a policy that allows city cemeteries to offer green burials.
The board approved official guidance during its regular meeting on Wednesday, a couple of months after representatives from the independent Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory requested a policy. "Green" generally means no embalming and no use of metal or hardwood caskets.
"The purpose is again to provide that guidance and standards for all Pittsfield cemeteries if they wish to become a hybrid cemetery and provide green burials. This is not for home burials. This is just for green burials at cemeteries," Director of Public Health Andy
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Pittsfield Council Sets FY26 Tax RateBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:20AM / Friday, November 14, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has set the fiscal year 2026 tax rate: $17.50 per $1,000 of valuation for residential property and $36.90 for commercial, industrial, and personal property.
While the rates are 54 cents and more than a dollar less, respectively, than fiscal year 2025, bills will rise with property values.
The average single home, valued at about $315,000, will increase by $220 per year, and the average commercial property $325 annually. This rate uses a residential factor of 0.8299 at a shift of 1.75 toward the commercial/industrial side.
"We are at the highest we can. We cannot give residents any bigger break than we've been able to
0 Comments
Read More >> |
The Retired Investor: Thanksgiving Meal Will Be Cheaper This YearBy Bill Schmick,
04:26PM / Thursday, November 13, 2025 | |
The president was correct last week when he stated that the cost of a Thanksgiving meal at Walmart will be lower this year. He neglected to add that this year's dinner contains six fewer products than its 2024 basket and only 22 items, compared to 29. I guess that is no surprise. By this time, shrinkage is everywhere among products. This is a common tactic used by manufacturers to give the appearance of a larger product when, in fact, you're getting less. In the food category, it is running rampant, so why not at Thanksgiving? Cans are smaller. There are fewer items in smaller packages, and, of course, the "fool you" trick of keeping the package size the same but 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Greylock Federal Collects Donations to Support Local Food Pantries| 02:00PM / Thursday, November 13, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. Greylock Federal Credit Union is hosting a food drive to support local food pantries. All donations, which may be dropped off at any branch location through Dec. 31, 2025, will be matched with a monetary donation by the credit union. "We recognize that these are incredibly challenging times for so many in the Berkshires and beyond. At Greylock, we believe in showing up for one another in meaningful ways. If you have a little extra in your pantry or can pick up an extra item while shopping, please consider donating at one our branch locations. Every contribution helps make sure our neighbors have enough to eat," said Rachel Mabee, Vice 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Co-op Bank Announces Promotion of Chief Operating Officer| 01:54PM / Thursday, November 13, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) announced the promotion of Eric Padelford to Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role, Padelford will lead the bank's operational strategy and execution, driving innovation, efficiency, and exceptional customer experience across all areas of the organization. According to a press release: A dynamic and results-driven operational leader with decades of experience in technology, finance, and banking, including extensive experience in the financial services sector since 2010—Padelford has been instrumental in modernizing Co-op Bank's infrastructure and aligning its operations with 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Weekend Outlook: Country Fest, School Performances, And MoreBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
01:30PM / Thursday, November 13, 2025 | |
 Check out the events in the county this weekend including movies, First Friday festivities, and Veterans Day inspired events. Check out our list of harvest festivals and craft fairs here. Editor's Pick Dalton Country Fest The Stationary Factory, Dalton Time: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Grab your dancing shoes and get gussied up for Dalton Lions Club's second annual Country Fest. The event returns this Saturday featuring live music by local favorites including the Hotshot Hillbillies, CJ Field, Kollin Kozlowski, and Tame The Rooster A country fest isn't a country fest without some square or line dancing, and this event is no different. There will be 0 Comments
Read More >> |
17-Year-Old Charged for October Murder of Brodie SlonskiBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:00AM / Thursday, November 13, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A 17-year-old has been charged with the October murder of another 17-year-old over vapes.
On Wednesday, Sergio Ponce of Pittsfield, was arraigned in Pittsfield District Court on a murder charge in the fatal shooting of Brodie Slonski on Oct. 26. Ponce was arrested on Oct. 29 on an outstanding warrant for a separate incident involving a gun, and evidence was based on witness accounts, phone records, and surveillance videos.
Ponce is the second of two young men to be charged for Slonski's killing. This follows the arraignment of Jaequan Spratling on Friday for allegedly leading Slonski to the scene of the shooting while communicating through
0 Comments
Read More >> |
State Fire Marshal Urges Heating Fire Safety| 10:34AM / Thursday, November 13, 2025 | |
STOW, Mass. — With temperatures falling into the 30s this week, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine is reminding residents protect themselves and their loved ones from some of the most common home heating hazards. "Most of Massachusetts will see some of the coldest weather since last winter over the next few days," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "Heating equipment is the leading cause of carbon monoxide at home and the second leading cause of residential fires. Whether you’re using gas, oil, solid fuel, or space heaters to keep warm, be sure you keep safe, too." State Fire Marshal Davine said there were more than 6,400 heating fires in
0 Comments
Read More >> |
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
0 Comments
Read More >> |
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
Read More >> |
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
Read More >> |
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
Read More >> |
|
|
