| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield School Officials OK Paraprofessional ContractBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:59AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An agreement has been reached between the district and unionized paraprofessional workers that ceases the use of a staffing agency to fill vacancies, increases pay, and withdraws litigation.
The School Committee last week approved a settlement agreement with the Pittsfield Federation of School Employees Local 1315 paraprofessional unit. While the vote was taken in open session, it was discussed during executive session.
"Last year, the Pittsfield Public Schools was unable to fill vacancies in some cases for students with special needs or classrooms, serving students with special needs, and in an effort to comply fully with the students' IEPs, the
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Pittsfield Businesses Receive MassDevelopment FundsStaff Reports ,
11:09AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
BOSTON — MassDevelopment has awarded $2,230,052 in grants to advance the rehabilitation of 22 properties in Gateway Cities across Massachusetts that will have significant economic impacts on commercial corridor revitalization goals. In Pittsfield, Marie's North Street Eatery & Gallery, Remedy & Culture LLC, Roots & Dreams and Mustard Seeds Inc, and Methuselah Bar and Lounge received grants. "For generations, Gateway Cities have been welcoming places to live, start a business, and build community," said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment's Board of Directors. "MassDevelopment's 0 Comments
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Sunday 5K Kicks Off Busy Autumn for Berkshire Running FoundationCommunity submission,
09:37AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire Running Foundation has announced its next four events for 2023. A locally-based nonprofit organization, Berkshire Running foundation was established earlier this year to advance and support the positive impact running events have in the neighborhoods in which we live. Sponsored by Spectrum Health, The FIR 5K will be held on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 9 a.m. at the Crane Avenue entrance to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Sunday’s 5K Walk/Run is to benefit the Berkshire Running Foundation's FIR (Fitness In Recovery) program. This 3.1-mile event encourages the community to come out and support the continuing efforts being made by the 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Police Make Two Firearm Arrests | 08:19AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Sunday, Sept. 17, just after 3:00pm, patrol officers with the Pittsfield Police Department (PPD) responded to 65 Columbus Avenue for a reported assault involving a firearm. According to a police report, investigating officers spoke with the victim who reported that he had been threatened by a man with a handgun. As a result of the ensuing investigation, officers arrested 59 year old Pittsfield resident Michael Barnes and charged him with one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, to wit Handgun. Officers recovered a loaded Walther .380 handgun. Later that same evening just after 5:00pm, PPD patrol officers were dispatched to Cumberland Farms 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Holds Preliminary Election TuesdayBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:39AM / Tuesday, September 19, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Voters will trim the mayoral, Ward 2 and Ward 7 races with a preliminary election today, Tuesday. Polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. for all wards and precincts. Find your polling station here. Each of the three contested positions will be narrowed down to two candidates in preparation for the general election on Nov. 7.
Peter Marchetti, Karen Kalinowsky and John Krol are running to replace Mayor Linda Tyer, who is not seeking re-election.
Marchetti and Kalinowsky both hold at-large seats on the City Council; Marchetti is the current president. Krol formerly represented Ward 6 on the council.
Marchetti has served the city in various capacities for
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Dalton ADA Explores Replacing Town Hall LiftBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:06PM / Monday, September 18, 2023 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Americans with Disabilities Act Committee is exploring how to replace the stair lift in Town Hall. The town's current lift, located in the police station, is not always functional, ADA coordinator Alyssa Maschino told the committee last week. The committee intended on applying for a Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act Improvement grant to cover the cost of the replacement. However, the project was delayed because the current lift servicer, Garaventa Lift, informed the town that the new weight limit went from 400 pounds to to 650 pounds. With the new weight limit requirement, the town needs to determine if the 0 Comments
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Springside Park Conservancy Hosts Community Day| 12:19PM / Monday, September 18, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Springside Park Conservancy will present a day of "family fun and outdoor stewardship" on Sept. 23, 2023, in celebration of the organization's 10th anniversary. In the morning, Conservancy partners will join the annual fall park clean up held by the Friends of Springside Park. Volunteers will check in at the North Playground beginning at 9. Gloves, bags, and instructions for litter clean up will be provided. In the afternoon, more than a dozen organizations will present an outdoor fair of guided hiking, bike rides, kids crafts, outdoor activities, demonstrations, face-painting and more on the Springside House 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Firefighters Save Dogs From W. Housatonic St. BlazeStaff Reports ,
11:31AM / Monday, September 18, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday Sept. 18 at 8:22 a.m. the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to 565 West Housatonic St for multiple callers reporting a building fire. Upon arrival Engine 1 observed heavy smoke pushing out of eves around the entire single story bungalow style residence. An initial report received from a caller was the occupants were not home, but two dogs were inside the building. E-1 stretched a hose line to the front door and made entry into the building. E-3 supplied E-1 with a water supply, shutting down both east and westbound lanes of Rt. 20. The Police Department was called upon initial dispatch anticipating this so traffic 0 Comments
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Central, South County Paving and Road Work| 07:08AM / Monday, September 18, 2023 | |
 LEE, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that crews will be conducting daytime and overnight hour pavement milling, slope stabilization, bridge and drainage repair operations on I-90 eastbound and westbound in Becket, Otis, Lee, West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, and Blandford. The work will be conducted at various times and locations from Monday, Sept. 18, through Friday, Sept 22. Lane closures will be in place during the construction operations and traffic will be able to travel through the work zones. The schedule for the work and lane closures will be as follows: Becket/Otis Slope 0 Comments
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Online Souvenir Store Combines Love of Berkshires and DogsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:45AM / Monday, September 18, 2023 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — Local business owners Reuben and Amber Lara combined their love for the Berkshires and dogs to create the lifestyle brand "Barkshires Dog Trading Co." This online shop celebrates dogs and the Berkshires using a vintage aesthetic. The brand sells sustainable clothing and prints including T-shirts, hats, dog bandanas, and stickers. The couple moved to the Berkshires in 2015. Amber hails from Sunderland and Reuban is from Burbank, Calif., and they have a rescue dog, Millie. Following a friend's visit to the Berkshires in November, the couple realized that there are not many souvenir stores and thus "Barkshires" 0 Comments
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Making the Loop | We had some free time this week to walk the 2-mile loop through the downtown. Here's a few of things that caught our eye. (In between taking photos, we were heel-toeing and arm-pumping as prescribed.)
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Let's Go Paperless | This is from Ward 6 Councilor John Krol's eblast today. His switch to digital immediately caught our attention. With the associated costs - nearly $4,000 a year for paper alone! - zipping councilors "the packet" (as we in the know like to call it) over the ether makes loads of sense.
Digital also means the average citizen gets far better access to these public documents than ever before. The city clerk's office has been diligent about posting meeting agendas and, where possible, relevant documents. So in terms of saving money and time and getting information out efficiently, digital is the way to go.
I would like to thank City Clerk Linda Tyer for agreeing to print out one less city council packet, as I have officially gone paperless for council meetings - which I hope will be a trend that can be extended throughout city government.
 The bulky (and often, very bulky) city council packet that councilors use for a reference costs an average of $170 per meeting for paper alone. Add the additional costs of ink/toner, wear and tear on city hall copiers, and the time and energy of staff who put it all together - and a simple transition away from paper benefits everyone.
With the packet now fully digital in pdf form, all councilors, and everyone with an internet
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