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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Weekend Outlook: Stockbridge Main Street, Tree Lightings, and MoreBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
11:35AM / Friday, December 01, 2023 | |
 There are a variety of holiday-themed events this weekend to get yourself into the festive spirit including tree lightings, live music, a brunch, and more. Find a full list of holiday bazaars and fairs here; upcoming holiday events can be found here. Editor's Pick Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Dec. 1 until 3 The main street in Stockbridge will be transformed into a Norman Rockwell painting. The town becomes a magical New England village decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights for the season. More information here. Friday Pittsfield Annual Tree Lighting Park Square, Pittsfield Time: 6 p.m. Santa and Mrs. 0 Comments
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BRTA Releases 2023 Customer Survey| 10:45AM / Friday, December 01, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) invites the public to participate in its 2023 Customer Survey. The survey is online at www.bit.ly/brta-survey-2023. Printed survey copies will be available at BRTA's Intermodal Center located at 1 Columbus Avenue, Pittsfield and by request. The deadline for all responses is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm. Survey questions include topics such as current and future bus services, the transit vehicle fleet, express or regional connection services, demand response services, as well as general customer service expectations and experiences. Survey answers will help guide 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Council Tackles 'Health Hazard' PropertiesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:42AM / Friday, December 01, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday tackled petitions on two properties that Councilor at Large Councilor Karen Kalinowsky sees as a health hazard: an abandoned office building on Merrill Road and a "junkyard" of cars on Shaker Lane.
The building at 444 Merrill Road, owned by Peter Petricca of Dallas as Four Forty Four Merrill Road LLC, has been vacant for more than a decade and is in tax title. Aside from the broken windows and graffiti on the exterior, Kalinowsky said there are human feces and garbage inside and she wants the city to secure it. Director of Public Health Andy Cambi said the Health Department does not board up commercial properties. After
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Pittsfield OKs 3-Year Contract for CurtisBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:44PM / Thursday, November 30, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee has approved a three-year contract from 2024 to 2027 with Superintendent Joseph Curtis that does not raise his $185,000 salary in the first year.
Curtis reportedly requested that he not receive higher compensation in this agreement. He was ill at the time of the meeting and not able to attend.
"I would just like to note that I believe Mr. Curtis deserves a higher salary even though he has made it very clear that he does not want a higher salary with this contract," committee member Sara Hathaway said. "But I hope there will be a point in the near future that we can help to bring his compensation closer to the salary
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The Retired Investor: What Is to Be Done About Climate Change?By Bill Schmick,
04:27PM / Thursday, November 30, 2023 | |
On Thursday of this week, almost 200 nations are meeting in Dubai at the COP28 Climate Summit to discuss global warming. The COP28 the participants will focus on how to keep temperatures from climbing any higher. Thus far, the track record is less than encouraging. Over the last eight years, despite pledges from both political and business leaders worldwide to reduce industrial emissions, temperatures have continued to rise. This is in the face of massive efforts both here and abroad to develop and expand solar, wind, and nuclear power alternatives to fossil fuels. Despite these efforts, carbon dioxide emissions and temperatures continue to rise. With that background, the 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Announces New Energy Program Rates| 04:00PM / Thursday, November 30, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has signed a twenty-four month contract with its current supplier, Dynegy Energy Services. The Pittsfield Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new standard product that meets Massachusetts Renewable Energy Requirement (MA Req) of 62.3 percent at a rate of $0.13849 per kWh. It will also continue to offer an optional product that uses 100 percent Massachusetts Class I Renewable Energy Certificates at a rate of $0.16729 per kWh. For Pittsfield residents and businesses who are enrolled in the City's standard product, the current rate of $0.09603 per kWh will expire and the new rate of $0.13849 per kWh will 0 Comments
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RSVP Welcomes New Van to the Volunteer Transportation Program| 08:00AM / Thursday, November 30, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has welcomed a brand-new van to their volunteer transportation program. The new 8 passenger van, a 2023 all-wheel drive Toyota Sienna owned by the City of Pittsfield, replaces an 11-year-old Honda Odyssey. The RSVP Van Transportation Program is available for Pittsfield residents to get a ride to and from medical appointments, social engagements, activities at the senior center, and RSVP volunteer jobs. It is a free service, and the van is operated by RSVP volunteers. The van transportation program has been operated by RSVP since the purchase of the first vehicle in January of 1974. In 2022, the RSVP 0 Comments
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Dalton Panel Steps Back From Climate Leader PursuitBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:47AM / Thursday, November 30, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Green Committee voted to take a step back from its efforts in reaching climate leader status. To reach this designation, the town would need to commit to eliminating on-site fossil fuel use by 2050, create a decarbonization roadmap, adopt Zero-Emission Vehicles policy, and adopt the Specialized Stretch code. The changes to the climate leader status requirements and the unknowns surrounding the new designation has caused the committee to reconsider their stand. The state Department of Energy Resources (DOER) keeps changing the status requirements most notably the specialized stretch code, committee members 0 Comments
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Merrill Road Bank Robbed| 10:56PM / Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police are seeking a suspect who held up a bank on Wednesday evening. The robber entered the NBT Bank at 609 Merrill Road shortly before 5 p.m., displayed a firearm and demanded cash. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash and fled. No injuries were reported. The suspect is believed to be a white man. Anyone who can provide information or observed any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact Detective Neil Goodrich at 413-448-9700, Ext. 554. Information can also be provided anonymously via the Tip Line at 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411). 0 Comments
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Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Utility Costs| 04:00PM / Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Senate members of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy are holding a special oversight hearing on Friday, Dec. 1, at 10:30 a.m. at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield. Officials say gas and electric rates typically surging higher in Western Massachusetts than any other part of the state. The intent of this special legislative hearing is to address the rate increases on electricity, gas and oil. According to a press release, recent data shows that utility costs in Massachusetts have skyrocketed, with electricity rates increasing by an average of 12 percent and natural gas prices spiking by 15 percent in the 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Council Tables FY24 Tax Rate AsksBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:30AM / Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has delayed a vote on the proposed fiscal year 2024 split tax rate.
Councilors on Tuesday voted to table the administration's ask for a commercial shift of 1.75 that would result in a residential rate of $18.45 per $1,000 of valuation and a commercial rate of $39.61 per $1,000. Discussion will resume at its Dec. 12 meeting.
Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick and at-Large Councilor Karen Kalinowsky spoke against the proposal that would increase the average homeowner's bill by 8.75 percent.
Kalinowsky said the city has a spending problem and people cannot afford it — especially
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Berkshire County Historical Society Holiday Tea| 08:00AM / Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Celebrate the season at Herman Melville's historic Arrowhead with holiday-inspired readings by local author Kevin O'Hara and a traditional Holiday Tea provided by caterer Kate Baldwin. The event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 3 pm. Use the BOOK NOW button at berkshirehistory.org to reserve your tickets; $25 for BCHS members, $30 for non-members. This event is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. About Kevin O'Hara O'Hara is the author of "Last of The Donkey Pilgrims," about his travels with Missie the donkey around Ireland; "A Lucky Irish 0 Comments
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