| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield Subcommittee Mulls Controversial 'Camping Ordinance'By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:10PM / Monday, June 09, 2025 | |
Kameer Taliaferro, a member of the Affordable Housing Trust, says the ordinance would have a discriminatory impact. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A proposed ordinance to ban camping on public property has put a spotlight on housing instability in Pittsfield.
It has sparked both outrage and a drive to collaborate across sectors to come up with solutions. Both were brought to Council Chambers last Tuesday during the public health and safety subcommittee meeting.
"It's just going to have a discriminatory impact, even if it's not the intent," said Kamaar Taliaferro, a member of the Affordable Housing Trust.
"Given the racial demographics of the
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From student to cardholder: What every new grad should know about credit cardsSubmitted by Scott Cowlin,
11:41AM / Monday, June 09, 2025 | |
 As the strains of pomp and circumstance fade, many new grads are trying to figure out how to manage life in the 'real world.' Not surprisingly, money management is—or should be—at thetop of the list of things to consider. While it's true that having savings provides financial security, credit cards play a bigger role in getting you closer to living the post-school life you want. That's because credit cards are essential to establishing a credit rating, which in turn impacts how likely you are to secure an apartment, be approved for a cellphone and plan, or get a car or personal loan. Without a credit rating/history, even a generous chunk of change in the 0 Comments
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Berkshire Organizations Awarded Funds Through Small Business Technical Assistance Program| 08:02AM / Monday, June 09, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation Inc., Berkshire Black Economic Council and Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation were all awarded funds through the Executive Office of Economic Development and MassDevelopment. In Berkshire County: Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (Great Barrington) – $48,224 BAV will provides business TA informed by an initial assessment, and followed by regular check-ins, webinars in marketing and customer strategies, loan readiness services and access to financing. Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation Inc. (North Adams) – 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Graduates Reflect on Their Pride as GeneralsBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
07:49PM / Sunday, June 08, 2025 | |
Principal Maggie Harrington-Esko thanked the class for its positivity as she completes her last year as principal. See more photos here. LENOX, Mass. — Pittsfield High School seniors reflected on the school year and their time "under the dome" at Sunday's graduation ceremonies. Principal Maggie Harrington-Esko welcomed families and the 159 graduates to Tanglewood, noting that this year is different as it's her last at PHS. "I am so grateful to the class of 2025, thank you for your positivity you brought to Pittsfield High School. Thank you for creating and strengthening an atmosphere of inclusivity at our school. Thank you 0 Comments
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Lenox Graduates Mark Another Milestone in Their LifeBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
06:55PM / Sunday, June 08, 2025 | |
Some 57 graduates walked across the stage in the Shed (and one stopped for selfies) to receive their diplomas. See more photos here. LENOX, Mass. — The 57 graduates of Lenox Memorial High School passed a major milestone as they crossed the Tanglewood stage on Sunday. Superintendent Williams Collins, welcomed families and graduates and spoke about how these students and parents are marking another major milestone in their life. "Today, we mark a major milestone in your journey. Your journey began at milestone zero. You were born. Others actually get to take credit for that. Other major milestones were your first words, your first steps, losing your baby teeth, graduating
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Lenox Memorial High School Awards & Scholarships for 2025| 04:12PM / Sunday, June 08, 2025 | |
LENOX, Mass. — The following awards and scholarships were presented to the class of 2025 on Thursday, June 5. Scholastic Achievement Awards: Valedictorian: Samuel Geller : Salutatorian: Stefan Zygawski Summa Cum Laude Awards: Olivia Armstrong, Kaeleigh Heath, Cassandra Morano, Abigail Crofts, Parker Hoff, Marc Mularski, Brady DiGrigoli, Mabel Joyce, Christopher Sanders, Madison DiGrigoli, Kelsey Kirchner, Etta Schnackenberg, Abigail Ethier, Alexander Kolean, Jared Senzel, Jocelyn Fairfield, Cat Kowalski, Cameryn Wilk, Ann Fiegel, Eleanor Kropke, Abigail Winger, Damuel Geller, Shaffer Kropke, Ali Zabian, Saraphina Hansen, Lily McDonald, Stefan 0 Comments
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Dalton Special Town Meeting Set MondayBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
07:02AM / Sunday, June 08, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — After a lengthy and contentious town meeting that spanned two days, voters will reconvene during a special town meeting to decide on six warrant articles this Monday at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School. During the annual town meeting on May 5, which garnered 277 registered voters, the police budget was singled out from the rest of the operating budget with an eye to making more cuts. The Police Department requested a budget of $1,664,924, an increase of $129,668 over the previous fiscal year. That line was pulled from the operating budget on a secret ballot and failed to pass 162-117. Finance Committee Chair William Drosehn made a 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Announces Sidewalk Repair Work| 03:34PM / Saturday, June 07, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield’s Department of Community Development announced that sidewalk repair work is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 9, 2025. The project involves replacing existing asphalt sidewalks with concrete in several locations. The affected areas include: North side of Columbus Avenue from Robbins Avenue to Francis Avenue North side of Summer Street from Francis Avenue to Center Street South side of Union Street from Francis Avenue to Union Street South side of Bradford Street from Francis Avenue to Center Street North side of Bradford Street from Center Street to North Street During the construction period, these sidewalks will be closed
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Pittsfield High Names Speakers, Scholars for 2025| 02:05PM / Saturday, June 07, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The senior class at Pittsfield High School has elected Helen Makdisi and Caroline Sherman to speak at graduation this Sunday, June 8, at 4 p.m. The ceremony will be held on the grounds of Tanglewood. Makdisi and Sherman will represent the voice of this year's senior class, who have worked diligently through their four years. Pittsfield High School recognizes students who have achieved the top 10 cumulative grade-point averages in the senior class. The PHS 2025 Top Ten, in alphabetical order, are Ayla Irene Better, Laura Reagan Bronson, Lisa Chen, Connor Devine, Jack Harvey Farkas, Kyren Alexander Hanson, Olivia Michele Holcomb, Helen 0 Comments
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Letter: Town Officials Not Listening on Police Budget Letter to the Editor,
12:47PM / Saturday, June 07, 2025 | |
 To the Editor:
On May 5, at the annual town meeting, Dalton residents voted 162-117 to reject the police budget which has risen by 59 percent, or $600,000, since Chief Strout's appointment ($1.049M FY21 versus $1.665M 2026 projection).
The vote against the police budget is not a targeted attack or an attempt to defund the department. The police budget is the third highest for the town. The [Central Berkshire Regional School District] is No. 1, and is voted on by the seven towns it covers, not just Dalton. The second highest is sewer treatment, and its costs are dictated by the [city] of Pittsfield. Coming in behind the Police Department is health insurance, which was discussed
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Letter: Dalton Police Unions Ask for Support at June 9 Special Town MeetingLetter to the Editor,
10:00AM / Saturday, June 07, 2025 | |
 To the Editor: The Dalton Police Patrol Officers and Superior Officers unions are asking members of the community to come out in support of fair labor relations between them and town officials at the special town meeting on June 9. Both unions are calling on the town voters to honor a contract that union officials lawfully negotiated under collective bargaining rules with Town Manager Tom Hutcheson. Members of the Finance Committee and Select Board both approved and signed off on the union contracts and Police Department budget prior to Dalton's May 5 annual town meeting. Unfortunately, during the annual town meeting session, some members of the Finance Committee reneged 0 Comments
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1Berkshire Trendsetter Award Nominations Open| 07:53AM / Saturday, June 07, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The 1Berkshire 2025 Berkshire Trendsetter Award nominations are now open. These Awards will be presented at the annual Celebrate the Berkshires event. In addition, the honorary Putting the Berkshires on the Map award winner will be announced at this event. "We are happy to announce the Trendsetter Awards are back for the 12th year. These awards allow us to shine a light on the exceptional individuals and businesses in our community," said 1Berkshire President and CEO Jonathan Butler. "To date, 1Berkshires has given out over 65 of these Awards and we can not wait to give out six more this year." The six 0 Comments
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