| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield Councilor Skeptical of New Berkshire Carousel PlanBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:03PM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass.— While the Berkshire Carousel is no longer being offered to the city, a councilor believes it will be back to square one without local control.
"This will have more unnecessary sequels than the Fast and Furious series and we will be discussing this issue in the fall," Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren said.
During Tuesday’s eight-minute City Council meeting, an order to accept a conveyance and donation of land at 50 Center St. (the Berkshire Carousel) was withdrawn. Owner James Shulman, who lives in Ohio, is working with friends of the carousel group on other operational plans.
Warren is "very hopeful but not overly optimistic" about this
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Letter: Carsell Running in Dalton Special ElectionLetter to the Editor,
05:00PM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
 To the Editor:
My name is Patrick Carsell, and I'm a candidate for the Dalton Select Board in Monday's Feb. 3 special election. For over 30 years, I've lived in Dalton with my wife, Laurel, and our two children, running a dental practice in town. In my retirement, I recently determined that now is the right time for me to give back to the community that's supported me for so long.
In preparing for this campaign, I've spent a lot of time listening to residents' concerns, using the information gathered to form solutions that I hope to implement when elected. Throughout these conversations, the integrity of town infrastructure has been a primary issue, particularly
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The Retired Investor: Trump and the China tradeBy Bill Schmick,
04:20PM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
It was supposed to be Agamemnon. Sixty percent plus tariffs on all Chinese products imported into the U.S. levied on Day One. What happened? Nothing. Investors are still waiting for the first shoe to drop on the world's second-largest economy and America's No. 1 enemy. China has been the nation's punching bag ever since Donald Trump first acted against that country in his first term. His actions resounded favorably with most Americans. China-bashing took on a life of its own. Decades of losing U.S. jobs and investment to China took its toll on both Democrats and Republicans. President Biden took up the baton and in the name of national security slapped all sorts of 0 Comments
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UNICO Holding Souper Bowl Community Food Drive| 03:21PM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — UNICO of Pittsfield is holding its Souper Bowl Community Food Drive that will end on Feb. 9, Super Bowl Sunday. All donations will be distributed to local food pantries. The club is accepting donations of nonperishable foods, any food that can be eaten from a bowl. Appropriate foods include soup, pasta, stews, cereal, tuna and noodles, and will be collected at the following locations during their business hours: Donations can be dropped off at the the following locations during their regular business hours. Ready Set Learn, 133 Dalton Ave. and 41 Wendell Ave. until Feb. 7 Berkshire Fitness and Wellness, 137 North St., 0 Comments
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Karen Sargent Joins Pittsfield Co-op as Dalton Branch Manager| 03:11PM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) announced the hiring of Karen Sargent as the new AVP/Branch Manager of its Dalton branch location. With a track record in banking and a commitment to community engagement, Sargent brings experience and leadership to her new role. Sargent joins Pittsfield Cooperative Bank with more than fifteen years of experience in the financial services industry. Her expertise spans branch operations, customer relationship management, business banking, and team leadership at several regional institutions, including Adams Community, Berkshire, Citizens, and NBT Banks. In her role as Branch Manager, Sargent 0 Comments
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Senator Mark February Staff Office Hours| 10:30AM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
BOSTON — State Senator Paul W. Mark announced that his staff will host office hours at four locations in Berkshire County in February. Residents of any of the 57 municipalities in the Senator's Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire District are encouraged to share ideas on current or potential state legislation, or to ask for assistance with issues involving any state agency. Appointments are not required. Adams: Tuesday, February 4 and Tuesday, February 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Town Hall, 8 Park St., Adams. Great Barrington: Monday, February 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. Town Hall, 334 Main St., Great Barrington. North Adams: Tuesday, February 4 and Tuesday, 0 Comments
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Dalton Green Committee to Propose Compost ProgramBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:24AM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Green Committee hopes to have a compost program as part of the transfer station's services. The program's proposal demonstrated the composting has several benefits, including how it "enriches soil, conserves water, and reduces the use of fertilizers, all the while reducing methane gas emissions." The committee has been working with Highway Superintendent Edward "Bud" Hall to help develop the program. They decided to base their program on the one in Williamstown. Residents would purchase compost buckets so the transfer station knows who uses the program. Once filled, residents bring the 0 Comments
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Pittsfield's Middle School Restructuring Panel Preparing RecommendationBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:09AM / Thursday, January 30, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Middle School Restructuring Committee will form a proposal in the next couple of weeks.
On Monday, members divided into groups to prepare for a consensus that is expected on Feb. 10. The two-year effort to rework Pittsfield's middle school model will conclude with a recommendation to the School Committee on February 12.
A grade configuration that retains sixth grade in elementary school has risen to the top as the most popular option. However, the committee could also recommend spending more time on the proposal.
"This really did not begin as a middle school conversation," Superintendent Joseph Curtis said.
He reminded the group
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Marchetti Touts Economic Development SuccessesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:45PM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city saw 12 new businesses in 2024 and the long-anticipated development at the William Stanley Business Park.
Mayor Peter Marchetti outlined his administration's economic development efforts during his first State of the City address earlier this month, including some $13.5 million that was received in grants and gifts.
"Our municipal budget not only depends on how much we can trim in each department, but how much we can generate in revenue, especially with new growth," he said.
"The city must be an active participant in recruiting new businesses to Pittsfield and helping existing businesses expand their operations."
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Freedom Fund Awards Speakers Highlight Importance of Unity By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:37PM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
Keith Beauchamp, producer of a documentary on Emmet Till, speaks at the Berkshire NAACP Freedom Fund Awards at Berkshire Hills Country Club. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not a coincidence that unity is at the end of the word community. This was especially made evident at the Berkshire NAACP Freedom Fund Awards on Saturday. More than 200 people turned out at the Berkshire Hills Country Club for the presentation of awards and to hear speakers, many of whom showcased the importance of unification and continuing the fight to maintain the freedom and opportunities their predecessors strived to obtain. "Tonight, I want to speak candidly about a 0 Comments
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Youth Sign Connect Returns to Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires| 03:51PM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires is bringing back Youth Sign Connect, a program offering members the chance to learn and engage with American Sign Language (ASL). Weekly sessions begin Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 5 to 6 p.m. The interactive program is free for Club members, but advance registration is required due to limited spots. Open to both beginners and returning participants, Youth Sign Connect aims to enhance communication skills and promote inclusivity. Parents and guardians can register online at bgcberkshires.org. 0 Comments
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Future of Joann Fabric and Crafts UnknownBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
10:32AM / Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The future is uncertain for Joann Fabric and Crafts and the store that's been in the Dalton Avenue Shopping Center for more than 30 years. The well-known national retailer that has served sewers, quilters, crocheters, and crafters for more than 80 years filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week for a second time. The approximately 800 stores across the United States and online businesses are still operational, including one on Dalton Avenue and in Hadley. There are also several in New York State's Capital District and it also had a store in North Adams in the 1990s. The chain was better known as Jo-Ann's for 0 Comments
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