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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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The Retired Investor: Will the Insurance Sector Become Another Victim of Climate Change?By Bill Schmick,
04:08PM / Thursday, June 15, 2023 | |
As the smoke from Canadian wildfires clears (literally) here in the Northeast, the awareness of climate change has risen. For the insurance industry, that knowledge has already precipitated some worrying policy changes. Last month, the news that two major insurers were no longer going to sell homeowner's policies in California may have come as a surprise to some. But like me, I am sure that most readers simply dismissed the issue as a problem between a West Coast state's regulations and the insurance industry. In California, which some think as the home of liberal politicians and crazy ideas, regulators have capped rates insurance companies can charge the public. On 0 Comments
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1Berkshire Announces Staff Promotions| 03:49PM / Thursday, June 15, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 1Berkshire announced the promotions of staff members Benjamin Lamb and Kristen Harrington effective April 1, 2023, in recognition of their achievements, contributions and dedication to the organization and its initiatives throughout Berkshire County. Promotions Benjamin Lamb has been promoted to Vice President of Economic Development. This promotion follows five years building the economic development team and expanding the 1Berkshire footprint of activities and overall work. Hired in 2018 as the Economic Development Projects Manager, Lamb was promoted to Director of Economic Development a short time later. In his new position, Lamb will 0 Comments
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PHS Implements Safety Measure on Finding NoteBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
01:38PM / Thursday, June 15, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — School officials requested extra police presence at Pittsfield High School on Wednesday and Thursday after a note was left in the building. The high school was in a "hold in passing" for less than an hour Wednesday morning because of a note left by the apparent intruder the previous day. A "hold in passing" means everyone was kept in their classrooms and the halls were cleared. "To the person reading this, you have a neat school. - Someone who snuck in," the message read. Pittsfield Police and the district's Emergency and Safety Coordinator Eric Lamoureaux to examined the situation and 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Historical Commission OKs Demos for Christian Center ExpansionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
11:50AM / Thursday, June 15, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Christian Center plans to demolish two deteriorated buildings on its property to expand its footprint for increased community service. On Monday, the Historical Commission approved the demolition of 183-185 Robbins Ave. and 187-191 Robbins Ave., which are said to be beyond rehabilitation.
"These buildings have just become a horror story," Executive Director Betsy Sherman said.
"And the people that know me on this committee know that I would not tear down a building just tear down an old building. I love old buildings and have worked with many of them but I just can't see a way to do it and to make them work for anything that
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BCHS Presents 'Sailing Towards My Father'| 08:46AM / Thursday, June 15, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Wednesday, June 21, the Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) will present "Sailing Towards My Father," a one-man play about Herman Melville performed by Stephen Collins and written and directed by Carl A. Rossi. The play chronicles Melville's life from youth to old age, concentrating on his evolution as a writer and his complex relationship with God; his parents and siblings; his wife and children; and Nathaniel Hawthorne. The performance takes place at Herman Melville's historic home Arrowhead at 5:30 pm. Tickets are available online at berkshirehistory.org; $10 BCHS Members, $15 non-members. This event is 0 Comments
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Pittsfield's Affordable Housing Trust Housing Listening Session| 08:09AM / Thursday, June 15, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Affordable Housing Trust is holding a community meeting to hear from residents about current housing needs. The Affordable Housing Trust is a seven-member board that was formed to provide for the creation and preservation of affordable housing within the City of Pittsfield for the benefit of low to moderate income households and for the funding of community housing. Information gathered from this listening session will be used to guide the work of the Affordable Housing Trust as they look to address the housing needs of Pittsfield residents. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at Conte 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Council Files Age, Term Limit PetitionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:39AM / Thursday, June 15, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council put a controversial petition to rest on Tuesday, but it may come back from the dead.
Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick's proposed charter modifications that impose a minimum 30-year age requirement on School Committee candidates and a one-year "cooling off" period for elected officials.
Kronick reported that, given the counter-arguments, he will be resubmitting with improvements.
"Our goal is to nurture young people," School Committee member Sara Hathaway said.
"And one of the things that tells us we've done a good job is when one of them comes forward and says 'I would like to step into a leadership
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Pittsfield Mayoral Candidates Discuss Issues in Planet Valenti DebateBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:12PM / Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidates Peter Marchetti and John Krol discussed mental health needs, policing, schools, and positively marketing the city during the first debate campaign season hosted by local blog Planet Valenti last week.
Krol, a former City Council vice president, and Marchetti, current City Council president, kept the conversation focused on the issues. Both "cheerleaders" of Pittsfield, their campaign styles were described as a difference of personality.
The two agreed that there is a significant need for mental health resources in the city.
"It is clear to me for a whole host of reasons that mental health is a major factor that plays in our
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Springfield Man Arraigned in Superior Court On Drug Charges | 02:30PM / Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On June 8, Antonio Laboy, 25 of Springfield, was arraigned in Berkshire Superior Court for possession of heroin with intent to distribute, subsequent offense and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, subsequent offense. According to a report from the district attorney's office, Laboy was present during the execution of a search warrant on a North Adams residence that is a part of an active investigation for narcotics distribution. Further investigation alleges that in combination with items sized during the search of the residence, Laboy was a participant in the narcotics distribution. District Attorney Shugrue highlighted the 0 Comments
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Nearly $7 K Awarded at EforAll Showcase and Gala| 12:24PM / Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Entrepreneurship for All Berkshire County held their 7th Showcase and Gala for this Spring's start-up incubator on Thursday, June 8 at Hot Plate Brewing Co. They awarded nearly $7,000 in seed capital to the following businesses: Lisa Howard Connect, First Consulting Tarah Warren, Truffles by Tarah Kayla Civello, Kayla Civello Training LLC Chelsea Hernandez, Shire Sister's Twisted Garden Tyler Williamson, TE The Label EforAll looks to fund projects and support small business infrastructure through these cash prizes. This money will be used to support continued education, down payments on equipment, and help local entrepreneurs 0 Comments
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BCC Offers Business, Liberal Arts Degrees Online | 08:26AM / Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) now offers a completely online option for associate degrees and certificates in business and liberal arts. The two programs, which will be available to students this fall, support the MassTransfer program. The online offerings align with the College's vision of providing "equitable, accessible and transformative learning opportunities focused on the current and evolving needs of our diverse community," explained Laurie Gordy, Vice President of Academic Affairs. "Offering these programs online allows BCC to provide the same high-quality and student-centered experience in ways that are more 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Council Approves $205M BudgetBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | |
Mayor Linda Tyer presents her budget to the City Council on Tuesday. The budget presentations can be found here: Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day 4; and Day 5. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council approved a $205 million operating budget for fiscal 2024 on Tuesday.
The $205,584,497 spending plan is almost $17 million, or 8.9 percent, higher than this year's budget of $188,822,018.
It breaks down into $109,300,895 for city operations, $78,088,016 for the School Department, and $18,195,586 for the enterprise which includes the Department of Public Utilities water treatment, sewer, and wastewater. Included is a $50,000 reduction to the
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