| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield Subcommittee Mulls Elected Official PayBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:31PM / Monday, February 03, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti, and others, feel the city should take a holistic approach to raising the pay of elected officials rather than looking at one governing body.
The Ordinance & Rules subcommittee last week referred a request from Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren and Ward 4 Councilor James Conant to increase the compensation of the School Committee members back through the City Council to the Charter Review Commission. The commission meets on Monday night.
"If we're going to do this, I think it should be a holistic approach and look at what we want as a community in terms of equity and fairness and what can we put into play that would make
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State Fire Marshal Offers Prevention, Safety Tips for Burn Awareness Week| 10:32AM / Monday, February 03, 2025 | |
STOW, Mass. — Burn Awareness Week is underway, and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine is reminding residents that more than two-thirds of severe burns happen at home. "Burn injuries contribute to about 5,000 emergency room visits in Massachusetts each year, and many of the most serious burns involve young children," State Fire Marshal Davine said. "Burn Awareness Week is an opportunity to promote safety and prevention – especially at home, where the most severe injuries are likely to take place." Coordinated by the American Burn Association, Burn Awareness Week is observed in the first full week of February. This year's theme is "Burn Prevention
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Scholars Day at BCC| 08:00AM / Monday, February 03, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announces that its first annual Scholars Day will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11. The conference-style event is designed to honor and learn from the scholarly and creative work performed by faculty, staff and students. Scholars Day is a combination of the Undergraduate Scholars Conference, which the College has held for many years, with presentations from the staff and faculty. It aligns with the College's mission and strategic plan in that it fosters lifelong learning, supports a culture of assessment, and showcases student undergraduate research. Faculty and staff will share their scholarly or creative 0 Comments
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Dalton Planners to Discuss Movable Tiny Homes BylawBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:43AM / Monday, February 03, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Planning Board will discuss how to proceed with a proposed movable tiny homes bylaw during its meeting on Feb. 19. Accessory Dwelling Unit subcommittee member Amy Turnbull expressed her frustration with the board's delay in taking action on the proposal to authorize movable tiny homes if certain requirements are met. A movable tiny home is defined as a unit under 400 square feet that meets all of someone's daily needs, including sanitation, cooking, and other facilities, and which is also mobile. The board has been discussing the fate of tiny homes since last February, following a presentation by Tiny Home Industry Association 0 Comments
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Pittsfield School Committee to Vote on Administrators' ContractBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:34PM / Sunday, February 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will vote on an administrators' contract next week. Educators hope their contract isn't far behind.
A special meeting will be held at City Hall to vote on a new contract for the Pittsfield Educational Administrators Association representing deans, principals, assistant superintendents, school psychologists, and adjustment counselors.
The PEAA's last contract ran from 2021-2024. Approval was tabled at the committee's Jan. 22 meeting.
Chair William Cameron explained that changes in the collective bargaining agreement the committee was asked to ratify were not made available to all members until earlier that day.
"A
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1Berkshire Kicks Off 2025 with Winter Marketing | 04:06PM / Sunday, February 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As the Regional Tourism Council (RTC) representing The Berkshires, and the official tourism promoter for the region, 1Berkshire is working on winter-themed marketing campaigns. These tactics target visitors in New York, Boston, and surrounding New England areas, specifically young professionals, families, and members of the BIPOC community. Promoting the region as a preferred place to visit, play, and stay speaks directly to 1Berkshire's mission: to advance Berkshire County’s economy by advocating for the business community and attracting visitors. "We have campaigns that run all year long, but our primary focus right now is the shoulder season
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Pittsfield Council OKs Million-Dollar Borrowing for Airport Taxi LaneBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:37PM / Sunday, February 02, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Municipal Airport will build a new taxi lane with help from federal, state, and local funds.
On Tuesday, the City Council approved a $1,040,000 borrowing for a paved way that enables access to additional developable land. Because the local share is only 2.5 percent, or $26,000, Rule 27 was waived.
A taxi lane is a path that connects aircraft parking areas to taxiways. Airport Manager Daniel Shearer said it will "substantially" open up a new area that is yet to be developed, providing access to a new hangar.
"This is the taxi lane for the development area that we've been working towards and signed a lease for. We had intended to
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Governor Files Bill to Modernize Public Higher Education Campuses| 11:46AM / Sunday, February 02, 2025 | |
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — Representing the largest proposed infrastructure investments in Massachusetts' public higher education system in decades, Governor Maura Healey filed historic investments to transform and modernize the UMass system, state universities, and community colleges. The investments were announced as part of a bond bill filed today – An Act to Build Resilient Infrastructure to Generate Higher Education Transformation (the BRIGHT Act) – that will leverage Fair Share surtax to unlock significant new funding for capital improvements. The investments will help modernize campuses, including new labs, classrooms and improved mental health 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Subcommittee OKs ADU OrdinanceBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
08:09AM / Sunday, February 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ordinance changes that make way for accessory dwelling units will soon go before the City Council.
On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules Subcommittee supported a petition from the Community Development Board to establish an ordinance allowing the creation of ADUs. As a part of the $5.1 billion Affordable Homes Act signed into law over the summer, ADUs up to 900 square feet can be built by right in single-family zoning districts.
It will go to the council on Feb. 11 for a final vote.
Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said this is great for multi-generational families and hopes that it provides some relief to the housing crisis.
"I know that some people might
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Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires Free Homework Help Program | 08:07AM / Sunday, February 02, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires is continuing its free homework help program for youth members in third grade and above, offering academic support every Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Club. The program, known as "Power Hour," provides structured homework assistance from staff and volunteers, helping students complete assignments, manage time effectively, and build confidence in their academic abilities. "This program is an invaluable resource for families in our community," said Joseph McGovern, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires. "Over the years, we’ve seen students 0 Comments
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UNICO of Pittsfield Hosts Souper Bowl Food Drive| 04:01PM / Saturday, February 01, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD — UNICO of Pittsfield is organizing its annual Souper Bowl Community Food Drive, collecting nonperishable food items to benefit local food pantries in the Berkshires. The drive begins January 27 and runs through Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Donations should consist of foods that can be eaten from a bowl, such as soup, pasta, stews, cereal, tuna, and noodles. Collection sites will accept donations during their business hours at the following locations: Ready Set Learn (133 Dalton Ave. & 41 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield) – Jan. 27 to Feb. 7 Berkshire Fitness & Wellness Center (137 North St., Pittsfield) – Jan. 27 to Feb. 0 Comments
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Dalton Water Commissioners Cited for OML ViolationsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:45PM / Saturday, February 01, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Board of Water Commissioners has been flagged for violating the Open Meeting Law during a summer meeting.
The state Attorney General's Office found that the board, which oversees the Fire District, improperly deliberated before its July 30 meeting and held said meeting upstairs at an inaccessible location. On Jan. 27, the AG reached a determination after the board was reported in September for several actions.
"The complaint alleges that prior to its July 30 meeting, the Board met with Treasurer/Clerk Melanie Roucoulet to 'coordinate before the public meeting . . . .' The complaint further alleges that such discussions are a regular occurrence.
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