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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Mayor Linda Tyer Not Seeking ReelectionStaff Reports ,
10:04AM / Friday, February 17, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Linda Tyer released a statement Friday morning indicating that she would not seek reelection. Tyer served two terms after being elected in 2016 and has been in public office since 2004. Her previous elected roles include Ward 3 City Councilor and City Clerk. The statement is as follows: Dear Friends and Colleagues: After several months of contemplation and conversations with my family and close friends, I have decided not to seek re-election in 2023. It is a bittersweet decision. I am sad to leave a career that is challenging and rewarding. Saying farewell to brilliant, dedicated colleagues and engaged citizens that inspire 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Council Grants Optics Company $250K in Economic FundsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:50AM / Friday, February 17, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council granted Electro Magnetic Applications, Inc. $250,000 in Pittsfield Economic Development Funds on Tuesday — but not without debate from two councilors. The optics company will use the boost to develop a characterization testing chamber.
By expanding its space environment and radiation effects lab at the Berkshire Innovation Center, EMA plans to double its workforce by adding eight full-time jobs with minimum salaries of starting at $65,000. It also plans to invest $3 million into the project and have it completed by 2026.
This was a sound proposal to most of the panel but Councilor at Large Karen Kalinowsky and Ward 2 Councilor
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The Retired Investor: The Debt Ceiling DramaBy Bill Schmick,
04:39PM / Thursday, February 16, 2023 | |
 In a few months, be prepared for politicians of both parties to turn up the heat as the June debt ceiling deadline approaches. Normally, the stock market responds with increased volatility. The question is should investors pay attention at all? That may sound like heresy given that we are talking about the full faith and credit of the United States of America. If the government defaults on its debt, the global repercussions of such an event would be momentous. Currencies would plummet, stocks would crash, and interest rates would soar. Armageddon would reign, or at least that's what is predicted to happen, but no one knows for sure because the U.S. has never defaulted on its 0 Comments
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Cannabis Marketing Challenges: What To Pay Attention ToSubmitted Content,
02:58PM / Thursday, February 16, 2023 | |
 Even though the cannabis industry has made a lot of progress toward legalization, there are still problems to solve. Problems with traditional marketing methods include a lack of education, trouble getting people to follow the rules, censorship on social media, and old stereotypes. But because the industry has made progress, there are many marketing opportunities in this increasingly competitive market. Strategic marketing for the cannabis industry requires creativity, a deep understanding of censorship policies, and a willingness to stay up-to-date on them. That is why we recommend this guide, which will help you know more about the list of problems that the cannabis industry is 0 Comments
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Eversource Seeking Federal Funds for Pittsfield Microgrid ProjectBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:10PM / Thursday, February 16, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Eversource is seeking federal funds to develop Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) in the city. The clean energy system is also referred to as "smart metering."
On Tuesday, the company held a listening session for its intent to submit a funding application through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021. The bill allocated $107.5 billion for energy, power, and electric grid reliability.
The project would involve a microgrid implemented in certain circuits based on community feedback, new solar and energy storage at its West Street facility, and the repowering of the Silver Lake solar facility with added energy storage.
"This
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BArT Ballers Battle But Bow Out in League SemisiBerkshires.com Sports,
09:52AM / Thursday, February 16, 2023 | |
 HARDWICK, Mass. -- The short-handed Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School basketball team Wednesday put up a fight for 32 minutes but could not overcome Eagle Hill in the semi-finals of the River Valley Athletic League tournament. Despite 23 points from Corey Lynch and 14 from Sam Touray, the Wolf Pack fell, 62-43, to its long-time rival to the east. BArT coach Robert Daugherty said his day started with the news that senior and top inside defender Ivan Chen was medically unavailable for the road trip. That was a big blow for BArT, which dropped a one-point decision to Eagle Hill earlier this year and faced the challenge of matching 6-foot-4 Hampton Carver 0 Comments
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BCC Honors Black History Month | 08:01AM / Thursday, February 16, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In honor of Black History Month, the Jonathan Edwards Library at Berkshire Community College (BCC) has selected 70 print books from its collection and put them on display through February. The books, which include historical works, essays, poems and memoirs penned by Black authors, are located on the first floor of the library and are available for checkout. "The books chosen for display this year embody the theme of 'Black Resistance,' chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), via powerful stories and truths that educate us about what it's like to be Black in our society," said 0 Comments
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Dalton Police Department Getting Tasers With ARPA FundsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:31AM / Thursday, February 16, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Police Department is in need of tasers, Police Chief Deanna Strout told the Select Board on Monday night. The board voted to approve the Police Department's request for $53,000 to replace their tasers using American Rescue Plan Act funds. The department currently has one broken and three functional tasers -- not enough for all its officers. This urgent need escalated several weeks ago after an altercation on Main Street during which officers were in a physical struggle. The chief said she did not have a taser to back her officers up, which is unacceptable. "We needed to give our officers every less lethal 0 Comments
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$10 Million Site 9 Redevelopment Now Fully FundedBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:20PM / Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Shovels will soon be in the ground of a parcel commonly referred to as a "moonscape" and "scar." On Wednesday, Feb. 15, it was announced that the gap in funding for the $10.8 million Site 9 redevelopment has been closed. The last mile of funding includes $400,000 of Pittsfield Economic Development Authority foundation funds, $1.3 million in GE landscaping funds, and $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds. The project will go out to bid in the spring with an expectation of construction beginning over the summer. Substantial completion could be seen in 2024. "We are all familiar with the massive 16-acre scar that has
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Pittsfield Council Approves 5-Year Contract for Body CamerasBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:24PM / Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has officially said "yes" to police surveillance.
The City Council on Tuesday approved a five-year contract with Axon Enterprises Inc. for body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras.
Councilors also accepted a grant of funds in the amount of $166,586.73 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to support the program.
Police Chief Michael Wynn explained that the department decided to add the dashboard cameras in the middle of the pilot that began late last year and ends at the beginning of the contract.
"The body cameras will come online first. The cruiser cameras are going to take some time. We're in the
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BCC to Hold Open House on March 11 | 08:12AM / Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Learn more at BCC's Spring 2023 Open House on Saturday, March 11 from 9-11 am, including a financial aid workshop at 10 am. The event takes place in the SBA Lounge on BCC's main campus, located at 1350 West Street. Prospective students and their guests are invited to meet one-on-one with BCC representatives from various offices. Participants can speak with faculty about the program that interest them, take a campus tour and learn about paying for college, transferring to a four-year school, internships and career opportunities. All attendees will receive a breakfast, a discount at the BCC Bookstore and a chance to win 0 Comments
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Charter Objection Puts the Brakes on Pittsfield Bike Lane QueryBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:29AM / Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Bike lanes incited a charter objection in the council chambers on Tuesday.
It is unclear what is happening with Councilor at Large Karen Kalinowsky's petition to put a question on the Nov. 7 ballot that, if approved, returns North Street to four lanes of traffic and remove the bike lanes.
Kalinowsky says a vote taken last month secured it on the ballot but her colleagues are unsure if that is true.
It was brought back to the City Council on Tuesday after being referred to City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta. After some debate over semantics, Councilor at Large Earl Persip III put the conversation to a screeching halt with a charter objection.
"If
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