PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Carmen C. Massimiano Jr. has resigned from the Licensing Board effective June 6.

 

Massimiano served as the board's chair since 2006 and is resigning because of health reasons. Thomas Campoli was appointed by Mayor Linda Tyer to take over as chairman and Richard Stockwell was voted to become the vice chairman. 

 

"Carmen Massimiano's resignation was due to health issues he has been confronting. That was the reason we understand that he resigned," Campoli said. 

 

"As many of you know, he was the sheriff of Berkshire County. He was a member of this board since 2006. So we want to wholeheartedly thank him for his community service for all of those years and wish him well in  his retirement from this board."

 

Massimiano was the Berkshire County sheriff for 32 years before declining to run for re-election in 2010. 

 

He filed his resignation with Tyer. The mayor also spoke highly of his service in a letter to the Licensing Board, which was read on Monday.

 

"On behalf of the city of Pittsfield I would like to extend my appreciation to Mr. Massimiano for his meaningful contributions to the Licensing Board and for his dedicated service to his community," Tyer wrote.

 

In other business, the board approved the expansion of alcohol service and an entertainment license for the Proprietor's Lodge. The permits had been halted by the city over concerns from the neighborhood about traffic and parking. The lodge had a parking plan approved to receive its special permit but was accused of not following that. Eventually, the Community Development Board lifted the sanctions that kept the company from receiving any more permits to expand operations.

 

The Community Development Board felt confident in allowing the company to move forward particularly after Propertor's offered to have uniformed police officers on site for large events, that the parking lot in Lanesborough is ready to be used for parking and a shuttle service is operational, and that the company will provide monthly reports. The board reserved the right to address any issues.

 

"They saw that generally speaking the parking management plan was being followed," City Planner CJ Hoss said.

 

According to attorney Dennis Egan, Proprietor's is asking for entertainment during weddings and other events outside. The Licensing Board agreed to limit the music to just two hours a day and is not allowing amplification. The entertainment is allowed from noon until 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from noon until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

 

"The intent is not to have rock concerts or music that is going to unnecessarily disturb the neighbors," Egan said.

 

As for the liquor license, the lodge wants to allow for cocktail hours on its deck and outdoor ceremonial area. The Licensing Board also limited deck hours to three per day but the issue got somewhat muddled when it came to the patio area connected with the restaurant. The restaurant's operations would not be limited in that way. Both would be available for service Sunday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and from noon until 8 p.m. with certain areas of the property being restricted to only three hours per day.

 

The lodge has been fiercely fought by the neighborhood and that continued on Monday when a large group in opposition urged the board to deny licenses. However, the board felt that the business is an asset to the city and would like to find a compromise. The approval wasn't what the neighbors wanted but Proprietor's also didn't want as strict of hour restrictions and to lose the ability for amplification. 

 

Eric Taylor had purchased the former Itam Lodge a few years ago, renovated it, and began hosting weddings and other events. He later opened a restaurant in the building. And now, he's constructing a new deck and areas to host events. The new spaces, however, are not increasing capacity. The company opted not to seek an increase in the number of people it can host at once but instead eyes the new spaces as additional options for those looking to hold events there.