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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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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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Dalton Historical Making Districts One at a TimeBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass.—The Historical Commission has lowered the scope for establishing its remaining two historical districts. The commission originally planned on establishing its second district, Dalton Center, and third district, East Main Street, simultaneously but decided it would be easier to establish them one at a time. Commissioners decided to focus on Dalton Center first. This process of getting this second district approved can take up to 10 years. The proposed Dalton Center Historic District runs along Main Street and features a variety of landmarks including Mitchell Tavern, St. Agnes' Church, Zenas Crane Colt's colonial 0 Comments
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Pittsfield City Council Gives Initial OK to Police, Public Services BudgetsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:45PM / Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On the last day of fiscal 2024 budget hearings last week, the City Council preliminarily approved five departmental spending plans and a $205 million city budget. The council is expected to vote on the spending plan at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The $205,584,497 operating budget 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 Worker's Compensation
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Lee Bank Opening Pittsfield Location | 10:46AM / Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Lee Bank announced that the doors to their new location at 180 South Street will officially open on Tuesday, June 20. Construction began on the project in April of 2022, although conversations regarding the evolving needs of the downtown Pittsfield community, began several years prior to breaking ground. According to a press release, it became apparent that the bank had outgrown the storefront space they had occupied for nearly a decade and that a ground-up build was needed . The building was designed to enable "relationship building and engagement" with the community. "We sought to create a space that was a living, breathing 0 Comments
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BCC Awards Emeritus Certificates to Two Mathematics Professors | 08:31AM / Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) recently awarded Professor Emeritus certificates to two professors of mathematics, Annette Guertin and Nancy Zuber. The certificates were presented at BCC's commencement ceremonies at Tanglewood on Friday, June 2. The title "Professor Emeritus" is bestowed upon retiring faculty members at the time of their retirement by the BCC Board of Trustees. Candidates for emeritus status must have taught for at least 20 years in higher education, with a minimum of 15 years at BCC; must have achieved full professor rank; and must have retired from the College in good standing. Annette 0 Comments
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Dalton Fire Department in Search of Interim, Permanent ChiefBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Tuesday, June 13, 2023 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The leadership of the Fire Department is up in the air after the firing of one chief, the retirement of another and the pending departure of a third. All within a month. Board of Water Commissioners Chair James Driscoll said interim Chief Chris Cachat decided to step down last week following grumblings from firefighters questioning his effectiveness in the position. For his part, Cachat said he was retiring at the age of 66. At this age he'll be past the age limit for a firefighter. These conversations came after an unannounced executive session Monday night that Driscoll described as being "accidentally" 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Council Preliminarily Approves Water, Sewer HikesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:33PM / Monday, June 12, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council preliminarily approved a 12 percent water rate increase and a 25 percent sewer rate increase on Thursday. For scheduled service, the average two-bathroom household will see a $12.87 increase per month and for metered service, the average four-member household will see a $9.33 increase per month. The effective date is July 1.
In response to the regular pushback on rate hikes, Councilor at Large Earl Persip III asked Finance Director Matthew Kerwood what would happen if the city did not raise them.
Kerwood reported that if the state Department of Revenue doesn't feel that the projected revenues cannot be met, the tax rate will not be
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