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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Dalton Fire District Ambulance ArrivesBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:22PM / Saturday, February 08, 2025 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — The Fire District's new ambulance has arrived and is anticipated to be in service by March 1 as an Advanced Life Support unit. The new apparatus arrived in basic white so still needs its decals and lettering put on and to be outfitted with supplies. In December, district voters approved borrowing up to $350,000 to purchase a new ambulance and any related costs. The district contracted RSI Signs in Pittsfield to complete the 2024 Ford F450 Road Rescue Ambulance decals. The department is still using its 2019 Ford Econoline for calls until the new apparatus is ready to be put in service. The Fire Department has two ambulances: 0 Comments
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Hot Plate Brewing Finalist For USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards| 12:04PM / Saturday, February 08, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Hot Plate Brewing Co., the only Latina-owned brewery in Massachusetts, was recently named a finalist for the USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best New Brewery. Since opening their doors in downtown Pittsfield in February 2023, this mission-driven organization has been garnering attention on a local, regional, and national level, both for their beers and the impact they're making in the community, stated a press release. Owner and head brewer, Sarah Real, was also recently elected to the Massachusetts Brewers Guild Board of Directors as well as the Pink Boots Society Board of Directors, largely because of the 0 Comments
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State Study Finds 220K New Homes Needed Before 2035By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:50AM / Saturday, February 08, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A statewide study found that more than 220,000 homes must be built in the next decade to meet housing needs.
On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll Administration released the initial results of "A Home for Everyone: A Comprehensive Housing Plan for Massachusetts," developed in collaboration with the Housing Advisory Council established when the $5.1 billion Affordable Homes Act was filed.
The report says Massachusetts needs to increase its year-round housing supply by at least 222,000 units from 2025 to 2035 to stay competitive and lower costs and "Every region of the state needs more homes in order to reach this statewide target."
During a visit
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Greylock Federal Webinar: Winning On Your Taxes| 05:39PM / Friday, February 07, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. –Greylock Federal Credit Union is hosting an interactive webinar at 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11 featuring tips to help individuals to get the most out of their tax refunds. The webinar, which is free and open to the public, will be hosted by Mame Opoku, Black/African American Outreach Coach and Stephanie Martin, Financial Wellness Coach. "As a financial wellness coach, every year I hear people say that they wished they'd used their tax refunds differently," said Opoku. "Sometimes people have the money spent before it reaches their account." In addition to the tips, the conversation will also include budgeting tips that can be
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@theMarket: Turmoil Keeps Investors on Their ToesBy Bill Schmick,
03:14PM / Friday, February 07, 2025 | |
Two Mondays in a row, investors have had an opportunity to buy the dip in the stock market. In February there may be even more chances to do so depending on geopolitical developments. For the source of much of this week's volatility, one need look no further than the White House. The number of executive orders has ramped up further. On-again, off-again tariff talks sent traders into despair, and then giddiness. In the few hours between daily press conferences and announcements, markets held their breath with one finger on the buy button and the other ready to sell. If you throw in geopolitical news on topics such as Gaza, Greenland, Panama, Iran, Ukraine, and more, it is 0 Comments
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Dalton Officials Begin FY2026 Budget ReviewBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
01:06PM / Friday, February 07, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds has helped mitigate costs in the highway budget the last few years. Fiscal 2026 will be mixed — slight increases because of the end ARPA but offsets using the last of the funds for supplies. Highway Superintendent Edward "Bud" Hall recently pointed out some of those areas to the Select Board in his proposed fiscal 2026 budget. The board approved line budgets for sewer, snow and ice, cemetery, parks, tree warden, and town engineer and tentatively approved the transfer station budget for $255,513, a $12,370, or 4.62 percent decrease from last year. The budget included 0 Comments
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School Committee OKs Pittsfield Administrator ContractsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:44PM / Friday, February 07, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee and administrators' union have settled on a contract that runs retroactively from 2024 to 2027.
On Wednesday, after one last executive session, the Pittsfield Educational Administrators Association collective bargaining agreement was approved. The union, which represents deans, principals, vice and assistant principals, school psychologists, coordinators and adjustment counselors, has already ratified it.
"We're grateful for the work of these employees and we're glad that we reached an agreement," committee member Sara Hathaway said.
Chair William Cameron reported that the most salient items were the compensation
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Pittsfield Braces for 'Difficult' Budget SeasonBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:06AM / Friday, February 07, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The upcoming budget cycle will be "difficult" and have no frills, officials say.
"As most of you know, I was sounding an alarm that I thought fiscal year 2026 was going to be pretty scary," Mayor Peter Marchetti told the City Council and School Committee on Wednesday.
"And although the governor's budget provided some clarity and some positive Chapter 70 numbers, there are still many challenges that we will face."
There is a potential increase of about 15 percent on the city's health insurance, which would add $4.5 million in expenses and is equal to the Chapter 70 increase. During the Massachusetts Municipal Association
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Homeless 'Point in Time Count' Less Than Expected Amid Frigid WeatherBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:58PM / Thursday, February 06, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The new year's weeks of frigid temperatures have likely meant fewer people on the streets.
This year's Point In Time count was taken on Wednesday, Jan. 29, and while totals are still being finalized, ServiceNet saw lower numbers in its count than expected.
"We have a full week to survey folks on where they stayed on that night of the 29th and I'll tell you, I don't have the exact numbers because we just ended but from our outreach, it was less than we expected to see," Erin Forbush, director of shelter and housing at ServiceNet, reported to the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday.
"And so when I say that, we're
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The Retired Investor: Here Comes Super Bowl 59By Bill Schmick,
04:28PM / Thursday, February 06, 2025 | |
Game Day is just around the corner. On Feb. 9, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia Eagles will face last year's winners, the Kansas City Chiefs. America is gearing up for the biggest game ever. Grocery stores are stocking up on chicken wings, nachos and soda. Consumers are shopping early and spending more while companies are breaking records on ad spend. And for many viewers, the Chief's tight end's romance with Taylor Swift will add a dose of human interest to the festivities. This year the heavy demand for ads had some 30-minute spots selling for more than $8 million versus $7 million last year. It is probably the only TV event in America 0 Comments
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Ferry Joins Pittsfield Co-op as Commercial Banking Leader| 04:12PM / Thursday, February 06, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced that Michael Ferry has come out of retirement to join the bank as its new SVP, Commercial Banking. With more than 40 years of experience in the local banking industry, including 34 years with Berkshire Bank, Mr. Ferry brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Ferry served as Senior Vice President and Commercial Regional President for Berkshire County and Vermont markets at Berkshire Bank. In this capacity, he led commercial lending, relationship management and related services, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering economic growth within the regions. 0 Comments
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BRPC Invites Applications for Home Modification Loan Program| 10:27AM / Thursday, February 06, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass — The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) is now accepting applications for the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP). This state-funded, no-interest loan program assists homeowners and landlords (with fewer than 10 units) in making necessary accessibility modifications to keep disabled or elderly family members in their homes. Eligible modifications include bathroom and kitchen adjustments, ramps, stair lifts, platform lifts, sensory/therapy spaces, hard-wired alarm systems, fences, and accessory dwelling units. However, this program does not cover general home repairs such as roofing, window replacements, or heating system repairs. All work must be
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