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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Retired Investor: Efficiency vs. Safety in America's RailroadsBy Bill Schmick,
04:27PM / Thursday, May 04, 2023 | |
American capitalism has long applauded and rewarded economic efficiency. Faster turnaround times, producing the same results with fewer workers, and doing more with less are the name of the game. Most times it works but sometimes it doesn't. Over the past few years, that mantra of efficiency and profit growth has worked well for big freight operators in the railroad business. Wall Street has rewarded their efforts with higher stock prices and rail companies have returned the favor with generous dividends and stock buybacks. Truth be told, America has had a long-lasting love affair with railroads that dates back almost 200 years. For most of that time, railroads and those 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Street Improvement Project: Milling on Tyler Street| 08:20AM / Thursday, May 04, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Due to unforeseen circumstances, the milling operations for Tyler Street have been pushed back one day and will now start on Tuesday, May 9, and continue through Thursday, May 11. This work will occur on Tyler Street, between the First Street intersection and the roundabout between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. On-street parking is prohibited during this work between the hours of 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes during this work and follow the designated detour signs. 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Panel Hears Next Steps for School Restructuring StudyBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:52AM / Thursday, May 04, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Building Needs Commission got a look into the Pittsfield Public School's needs assessment that will take place throughout this year.
In March, the commission accepted a bid from Drummey, Rosane, and Anderson (DRA) Architects for the restructuring study after the district re-issued a request for quotes.
"When you look at the city of Pittsfield and the school system, you do want it to be equitable for everybody," School Committee member Kathleen Amuso said.
"And I believe our teachers can teach anywhere they need to teach but we want things to be equitable for our students, we want them to have the same type of buildings, the
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Dalton Fire Department Planning EMT CourseBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
04:03PM / Wednesday, May 03, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Fire Department is planning to host an emergency medical technician course. The price of the course is still under negotiation but will be gauged on the area's interest levels, which is being evaluated by Fire Chief James Peltier and the company that will be dong the training. The station hopes to be able to offer this course in-person to the community within the next two months. Peltier said he has spoken to a lot of people who have expressed interest in the course because, like him, they say they learn better in a face-to-face format. He said he's spoken to area fire chiefs who have a number of members interested in 0 Comments
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BCC Practical Nursing Students Maintain High Pass Rate for Licensure| 08:14AM / Wednesday, May 03, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) reports that its Practical Nursing (PN) students maintained an 83 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) licensure exam from 2021 to 2022. The 2022 pass rate was the highest of the three schools in Berkshire County offering a practical nursing program. NCLEX uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) technology to deliver the exam, ensuring a valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence. The passing standard for the NCLEX is the cut point at which the minimum ability is determined to require safe and effective practice nursing at the entry 0 Comments
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DPH to Reveal PCB Cancer Study Findings This YearBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:32AM / Wednesday, May 03, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health should have the results of a cancer evaluation related to PCB exposure in about six months.
Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency say the capped-off General Electric landfills, Hill 78 and Building 71, are not harmful but the last public health study conducted on them was more than 20 years ago.
In 2021, the City Council's Public Health and Safety subcommittee requested updated findings on the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, on cancer incidence.
"At the request of this committee, DPH has initiated an updated evaluation of cancer incidents data picking up from the last
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Crane NXT Completes Separation from Crane Co.By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:30PM / Tuesday, May 02, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The former Crane & Co. has gone through a variety of changes in recent years from being acquired in 2017 by Crane Co. of Stamford, Conn., to now being separated from Crane Holdings. The separation was a year in the making and allows both companies to focus on their different fields and makes it easier for investors to research what they are investing in, say company officials. Crane Co. will continue its work as a purveyor of pipes and steam pumps, and manufacturing, electronics, aerospace and technology. Crane Payment Innovation and Crane Currency became subsidiaries of the new business Crane NXT that focuses on 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Subcommittee Reconvenes for Update on City BuildingsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:21PM / Tuesday, May 02, 2023 | |
The outdated police station, once the welfare office, was estimated to cost $55 million to replace several years ago. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The buildings and maintenance subcommittee reconvened on Monday to talk about the poor condition of Pittsfield's facilities. President Peter Marchetti requested a report on the condition of all city buildings and the panel reviewed an update to a 2016 study that identified "deplorable" conditions.
"I will say this was a difficult read, particularly just reading your narrative and the neglect that has happened over the last 30 years of our city buildings," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi said.
"So the
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Price Chopper, Market 32 Issues Grated Cheese Recall| 11:27AM / Tuesday, May 02, 2023 | |
 SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Price Chopper/Market 32 is issuing a voluntary recall on a variety of PICS Grated Cheese purchased since December 2022. The products are being recalled because they do not meet Price Chopper/Market 32's quality standards. While there are no known harmful side effects from the products, customers who purchased them can return them to their local Price Chopper/Market 32 store for a full refund. For more information, contact Price Chopper/Market 32 at 800-666-7667 or via email at consumerresponse@pricechopper.com. 0 Comments
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Berkshire Planning Commission Budget Up 16% for FY24By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
10:36AM / Tuesday, May 02, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's proposed budget has increased by more than $886,000, or about 16.4 percent, largely due to several new grants.
On Thursday, the Finance Committee OK'd a proposed $6,266,015 budget for fiscal 2024, which is $866,431 higher than this year. It will go to the full commission for final approval.
Treasurer Buck Donovan said that, as usual, the ask is detailed and done very well by staff.
He pointed out that there is a jump in compensation and vacation leave from around $150,000 to around $190,000 because the organization has more employees with bigger salaries.
Overall benefits including health, dental, sick,
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Dalton Town Meeting OKs $21.5M Budget, All Warrant ArticlesBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:43AM / Tuesday, May 02, 2023 | |
Voters passed all 26 articles at Monday's annual town meeting at Wahconah Regional High School. DALTON, Mass. — Voters approved all 26 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Monday night at Wahconah Regional High School. Exactly 99 voters attended the two-hour meeting to approve the budget and various spending items for town equipment, repairs and green initiatives. The town budget of $21,501,716 is an increase of $1,023,197, or 5 percent, over this year; the assessment to the Central Berkshire Regional School District of $17,505,621 is up 2.27 percent, and includes operating costs of $8,752,286, transportation at $312,385, and capital 0 Comments
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Bikers Stand Out for Safe Cycling in PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:07AM / Tuesday, May 02, 2023 | |
Berkshire Bike Path Council President Margie Cohen talks about the new bill that calls for motor vehicles to give cyclists room on the road. The bill also requires bike lights, which will be available on First Friday. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 20 cyclists departed from Park Square on Monday in celebration of Bay State Bike Month.
Nicholas Russo of Pittsfield Community Design Center said the bicycle enthusiasts are glad to see the city's efforts in supporting multimodal transportation including complete streets efforts on North Street and the Bike Facilities Master Plan.
"I think all of us are kind of on the same page that it's not just about a bike
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