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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Regional Planning Commission Calls for Fixes to Site Plan Review BillBy Stephen Dravis, iBerkshires Staff
05:42AM / Monday, April 08, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The executive committee of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission on Thursday agreed to call for changes in legislation that aims to standardize a regulatory tool used by municipalities to control development. House Bill 3551 on Beacon Hill seeks to enshrine in Massachusetts General Law the practice of "site plan review," which is commonly used in towns and cities as a, "regulatory tool and a means for communities to control the aesthetics and environmental impacts of land use under their zoning by-law." That language comes from a 2008 court decision in a case originating from the Town of Marblehead. Massachusetts courts 0 Comments
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PCTV Outlines Asks for New Cable ContractBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:31PM / Sunday, April 07, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Community Television broadcasts 20,000 hours of city programming and its cable contract asks are seen as reasonable. The Cable Advisory Committee heard PCTV’s ascertainment report on Thursday ahead of contract negotiations with Charter Spectrum. The panel will soon review a draft request for a proposal for the cable company.
Board President Sue Doucette and Operations Manager David Cachat laid out the community television station’s requests in the next 10-year contract.
These include: continuing to receive the federal maximum level of five percent of gross annual cable revenues for Pittsfield, securing capital funding, having
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DOR: March Revenue Collections Total Near $4 Billion| 04:00PM / Sunday, April 07, 2024 | |
BOSTON — Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder today announced that preliminary revenue collections for March totaled $4.065 billion, $182 million or 4.7 percent more than actual collections in March 2023, and $129 million or 3.3 percent above benchmark. FY2024 year-to-date collections totaled approximately $27.531 billion, which is $4 million or 0.01 percent less than collections in the same period of FY2023, and $145 million or 0.5 percent less than the year-to-date benchmark. "March collections increased in income tax withholding in comparison to March 2023," said Commissioner Snyder. "The increase in 0 Comments
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Dalton Fire District to Hold Informational Session April 10 By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
03:12PM / Sunday, April 07, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Fire District will be having an informational session on Wednesday, April 10, at Wahconah Regional High School starting at 6:30 p.m. The aim of the meeting is to encourage an increase in the annual district meeting attendance, spark conversation between residents, and inform the community on what makes up the budget. The Fire District and town are two separate governing bodies. The Fire and Water departments are the Fire District's responsibility. The Board of Water Commissioners and the Prudential Committee govern the district. The water commissioners say attendance at annual Fire District meetings is often 0 Comments
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Mass Receives Federal Funding to Expand Digital Access | 12:12PM / Sunday, April 07, 2024 | |
BOSTON — The Biden-Harris Administration and the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that Massachusetts had been allocated $14.1 million from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, an "Internet for All" initiative designed to give individuals and communities the tools, skills and opportunities they need for meaningful access to high-speed Internet service. The new program will allow Massachusetts to implement the programs outlined in the state's Digital Equity Plan, which was formally approved by the NTIA on March 26. "We thank the Biden-Harris administration
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Arrest Warrant Issued in Pownal, Vt., Homicide| 09:39AM / Sunday, April 07, 2024 | |
POWNAL, Vt. — The Vermont State Police Thursday announced they have obtained an arrest warrant for a Massachusetts man on a murder charge arising from a fatal stabbing Feb. 6 in Pownal. The suspect is identified as Elizah Coppedge, 18, of Chicopee, police said. He faces a charge of second-degree murder in the killing of Casey Gras, 36, of Bennington. A Vermont Superior Court judge in Bennington County signed the warrant last week and ordered that Coppedge be held without bail upon his arrest. Police describe Coppedge as a Black man, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. His last known whereabouts were in Pittsfield, Mass., on 0 Comments
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Barrington Stage Musical Theatre Conservatory for College Students | 08:00AM / Sunday, April 07, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Barrington Stage Company announced that the 2024 BSC Musical Theatre Conservatory will be tuition-free. The 2024 Musical Theatre Conservatory runs June 3-July 26. Candidates must demonstrate strong musical theatre skills, be at least 19 years of age, and have completed at least one year of University-level training. This competitive program fills up fast. To learn more and submit your application at MTC | Bscedu (bsceducation.org). Deadline for submissions is April 12, 2024. BSC's Musical Theatre Conservatory is underwritten by The Zelda and John Schwebel Family Foundation and 2024 Scholarship Sponsors. According to 0 Comments
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Dalton Historical Commission Talks Sidewalks and Historic DistrictsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
02:55PM / Saturday, April 06, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission continues to chip away at establishing its second historic district. The proposed Dalton Center Historic District runs along Main Street and features various landmarks, including Mitchell Tavern, St. Agnes' Church, Zenas Crane Colt's colonial revival, and many more buildings that showcase Italian and Greek revival styles. When the commission established its first historic district, the Craneville Historic District, about 10 years ago, it hired preservation specialist Norene Roberts for guidance. She had compiled information for the first district and part of the second district. But she has 0 Comments
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MassRMV Cautions Public to Beware of Deceptive and Mimic Websites| 12:06PM / Saturday, April 06, 2024 | |
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding customers to use only Mass.Gov/RMV for information or to perform many transactions, including when trying to renew a license or registration. While there has been no sharp increase in reports of deceptive and mimic websites to the RMV, this is a busy time of year for customer transactions so the RMV is issuing this reminder to the public about sites which have been created to mislead customers into thinking they have reached the official RMV website. "We urge everyone to be vigilant when performing transactions or providing information online for RMV-related services. Customers should avoid using any
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MassDOT Public Comment Period for Beyond Mobility| 08:05AM / Saturday, April 06, 2024 | |
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced the five-week public comment period for Beyond Mobility, the Massachusetts 2050 Transportation Plan. Community members are encouraged to offer thoughts on Beyond Mobility by using an online survey tool, which can be found at www.mass.gov/beyond-mobility. "The most important element of Beyond Mobility is reflecting the input of the people of Massachusetts," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "What we hear from residents, business owners, municipal officials, and other members of the community will help us better act on the steps we need to be taking with this 0 Comments
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Dalton Fire District Votes to Return Ladder Truck ARPA Funds to TownBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:47PM / Friday, April 05, 2024 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Board of Water Commissioners on Wednesday voted to return to the town the balance left of American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated for a ladder ladder truck. "We appreciate the support and trust the Town of Dalton has consistently extended to our fire and emergency medical services. As stewards of public funds, we recognize the importance of responsible financial management," board Chair James Driscoll wrote to the Select Board. "We have determined that returning the unutilized ARPA funds aligns with our commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility." In 2022, the Select Board approved transferring 0 Comments
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BEAT: The Invasive Spotted Lanternfly| 12:01PM / Friday, April 05, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elizabeth Barnes, the Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, will present at the April Berkshire Green Drinks on Wednesday, April 10. This free hybrid event will take place online via Zoom and in person at Hot Plate Brewing Co., 1 School Street in Pittsfield. The in-person social gathering will begin around 5:15 PM; the presentation and Zoom meeting will start at 6:00 PM. According to a press release: Invasive insects can have devastating impacts on our ecosystem, economy, and quality of life. But how are they able to be so disruptive, and what can we do about it? Join
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