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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Kronick's Charter Objections Cause Unrest in Pittsfield Council ChambersBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:22PM / Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick's charter objections once again caused unrest in Council Chambers.
On Tuesday, Kronick made charter objection motions against waiving a Finance Committee review for three time-sensitive orders: to transfer and appropriate $620,000 from free cash to the Department of Public Services for snow and ice removal, to transfer $75,000 from retained sewer earnings to the Department of Public Utilities Wastewater Division for sludge handling, and to transfer and appropriate $850,000 from free cash to the Police Department for scheduled overtime.
President Peter Marchetti pleaded for him to reconsider the motions, as these costs will
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Dottie's Nearing Final Permits for Expansion into Former MissionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:19PM / Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dottie's Coffee Lounge is getting its ducks in a row to expand into the former Mission Bar and Tapas and create a nighttime spot, Dorothy's. The board approved a sidewalk cafe license, the transfer of an annual all-alcohol seven-day restaurant license, an alteration of the premise, and a pledge of license from On a Mission LLC for 438-444 North St.
The restaurant and bar is next to Dottie's and, after being awarded a building permit last week, a wall will be opened up between the two.
"I think it will be good, I'm feeling confident," owner Jessica Rufo said at Monday's Licensing Board meeting.
In April, the board approved
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Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Offers Homebuying Assistance Through Umbrella Special Purpose Program| 02:41PM / Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (The Co-op) has been approved to participate in the Lift Up Homeownership program, a Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston pilot program, designed to provide financial assistance to people of color purchasing their first home. People of color is defined as Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander borrowers. Through Lift Up Homeownership (LUH), people of color earning up to 120 percent of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $50,000 in down-payment and closing cost assistance on a first-come, first-served basis to purchase their first home in New England. 0 Comments
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BRTA Gets 'Clean Bus' Grant | 02:38PM / Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) recived a $2,212,747 grant to purchase diesel-electric hybrid buses to replace older buses and new hydraulic heavy duty vehicle repair lifts at its maintenance facility. The project will improve transit worker safety, state of good repair, and increase service reliability for riders.? The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Low- and No- Emission Program (Low-No) award of approximately $31.3 million total to four Massachusetts Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) for the purchase of hybrid-electric and battery-electric 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Babe Ruth to Host Regional ChampionshipCommunity submission,
01:27PM / Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Pittsfield Babe Ruth has been chosen to host the 2023 New England Regional Babe Ruth tournament for the 13–15-year-old age group from July 21 to 25 at Wahconah Park. Eight teams from across New England will travel to Pittsfield in July to compete in the tournament, which will include Pittsfield Babe Ruth’s 15-year-old All-Star Team. The event will have 12 games of pool play from Friday through Sunday. Bracket play begins on Monday, July 24, and the semi-finals and championship game will be played on Tuesday, July 25. Pittsfield Babe Ruth has partnered with Berkshire Bank to host the event. Many other local businesses have also 0 Comments
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Little League All-Star Play Opens on Saturday| 06:45AM / Wednesday, June 28, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The summer's baseball all-star tournament play gets underway on Saturday when the Donald Gleason District 1 Little League tournaments open at Clapp Park. First pitch in the county's 8- to 10-year-old tournament is scheduled for noon when Dalton Hinsdale takes on the Pittsfield Little League National Division. At 2, the Pittsfield Americans will face Great Barrington. The same four teams will be back at it on Sunday at noon and 2, and the four-team round-robin will conclude on Thursday, setting up the 10-year-old District 1 title game at noon on July 8. Just the Pittsfield Nationals and Americans entered teams in the 9- to 11-year-old 0 Comments
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Central Berkshire Considers Updating Cell Phone Policy By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:20PM / Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Central Berkshire Regional School District began its discussion on revising its cell phone policy to make it more stringent during its School Committee meeting last week. The goal of the policy change is to help students be more engaged in school and to prevent students from taking videos of their peers without permission and spreading them around. Superintendent Leslie Blake-Davis presented the discussion to the committee by inquiring whether the best path would be to prohibit cell phone use all day or to allow use during students' lunch period. Many districts in the surrounding areas have started this discussion 0 Comments
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No Lifeguards at Onota Lake This SeasonStaff Reports ,
02:14PM / Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Lifeguards will not be present to monitor the water and related activities like swimming at Burbank Park (Onota Lake) this summer. The city stated that they have had difficulties finding and hiring qualified lifeguards. The city began a search for qualified lifeguards in March of 2023, and after several months of unsuccessful attempts to fill the lifeguard positions, the city is unable to provide lifeguarding for the 2023 season. Those who choose to swim and/or partake in any water-related activities, will be doing so at their own risk. Signage will be available in various area located throughout Burbank Park notifying the public of this 0 Comments
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Lenox Memorial 'As Schools Match Wits' Champion| 01:47PM / Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | |
 SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The team from Lenox Memorial High School is the champion of the 62nd season of "As Schools Match Wits." The season ended on Saturday, June 24, with the broadcast on New England Public Media TV of the championship match between Lenox and Westfield High School. Lenox will proudly take home the Collamore Cup. "As Schools Match Wits" pits teams of western New England high schoolers against each other in a fun but competitive game of academic performance. The competition is open to both public and private high schools throughout western New England. The show was created by Leonard J. Collamore in 1961 to 0 Comments
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District Attorney's Office Hosts Investigating Sexual Assault Workshop| 12:07PM / Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Friday, June 23 the District Attorney's Office led an Investigating sexual assault workshop with law enforcement. The workshop was offered to local law enforcement agencies and focused on the foundations of investigating sexual assault. This was the inaugural law enforcement workshop offered by the District Attorney's Office. District Attorney Shugrue plans to hold reoccurring workshops on a variety of topics to improve upon partnerships and share up-to-date information with law enforcement partners and community agencies. Presenters included: Cognitive Bias in Sexual Assault Investigations, Second Assistant 0 Comments
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General Dynamics Union Pickets For Fair WagesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:08AM / Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Unionized workers at General Dynamics are demanding an end to a pay system that they don't see as equitable.
On Saturday, the IUE-CWA Local 255, which represents employees at General Dynamics Mission Systems, held an informational picket in the rain at Park Square to get community support for its upcoming contract negotiation.
The park was filled with employees from both of the company's tiered pay systems advocating for a fair contract.
"We're ready to make changes," Union President Andrew Burdick said. "And we did it rain or shine because we're willing to do whatever it takes to make the difference in the contract."
The
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Pittsfield School Committee Asks for Input on Cell Phone PolicyBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:39PM / Monday, June 26, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Department is inviting members of the school community to weigh in on student cell-phone usage as it mulls a new policy regulating their use in schools. In a communication to the school community, Superintendent Joseph Curtis asked for students, parents, and teachers' thoughts to inform the committee's decision-making.
Concerns about phone usage were brought forward by educators earlier this month along with a push for stricter regulations. Chair William Cameron called for an accelerated policy review with possible recommendations made at Wednesday's meeting.
"As you are aware, cell phones have become an integral part of our
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