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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield Council Meets for 3 MinutesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
04:15PM / Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City Council had what is likely to be its shortest meeting to date.
On Tuesday, councilors met for three minutes in Room 203. Before even getting settled into their seats, the 8-item agenda was completed.
Two sizable grants were accepted: $73,147.00 from the Massachusetts lnterlocal Insurance Association and $59,977.50 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and
Security's National Traffic and Safety Administration.
The MIIA grant will go toward the installation of security cameras at all of the city's firehouses and at the two splash pads that were vandalized last winter. Any additional funds required will come from the city's
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Pittsfield Commission OKs Former CYC DemolitionBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:40PM / Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Against wishes for preservation, the former Catholic Youth Center is set to be demolished.
The Historical Commission begrudgingly withdrew a one-year demolition delay on the Melville Street property, recognizing that the owners were unwilling to save or sell it.
"Very tough vote," Chair John Dickson said during the Monday meeting.
The Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires plans to demolish the CYC to make way for an expanded playground for its child-care program. The nonprofit purchased the abutting property in 2015 and it has reportedly been out of use since at least 2012.
While the building could be structurally saved, club officials say it would be
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Gateway Fiber Internet Service Coming to Pittsfield| 12:02PM / Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ultra-high-speed fiber internet provider Gateway Fiber is bringing new internet service to residents and businesses in Pittsfield. The new 100 percent fiber-optic network will be faster and more reliable than traditional cable and telephone-based internet, representing the company's continuing commitment to bringing better connectivity to the area. "We are pleased that Gateway Fiber has chosen to invest significantly in bringing fiber to the home to the residents of Pittsfield," said Pittsfield Mayor Peter M. Marchetti. "Now more than ever, our residents need reliable and affordable internet service to work, to learn, for 0 Comments
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Trick-or-Treat, Halloween Events 2024| 11:40AM / Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | |
 Halloween falls on a Thursday this year. Some communities may hold their trick-or-treating hours this weekend, ahead of the holiday. Check back as the holiday approaches for what your town is doing. If you are going door to door, remember to dress appropriately, carry a flashlight and only visit homes with lights on in your neighborhood. Below is a list of towns holding trick-or-treat hours on Halloween, unless otherwise noted. Those towns that are crossed out have not been confirmed. The towns with the asterisks are the same times every year. If you don't see your town listed and you know the hours, let us know at info@iberkshires.com. There are also plenty of other
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Opioid Summit Highlights Collaboration, Stigma BreakingBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:33PM / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Combating the opioid crisis depends on collaboration and smashing the stigma around substance use disorder, local agencies say. The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office held a summit at the Berkshire Innovation Center on Monday titled "Breaking Barriers to Support Recovery, Re-Entry and Reduce Recidivism."
Law enforcement, health care, and community service agency professionals attended the summit to connect and discuss paths forward.
"I think for Berkshire Harm Reduction, our biggest thing really is keeping people alive and keeping people safe," Director Sarah DeJesus said during a panel discussion.
"And keeping Narcan in
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Longtime Pittsfield Police Officer Passes SuddenlyBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
03:41PM / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Police Department is mourning the sudden loss of a longtime officer.
Chief Thomas Dawley announced the unexpected death of Officer Michael Silver "with great sadness" on Monday. Silver worked for the department for more than 15 years and is remembered as a highly respected member of the force.
The Dawley's post on Facebook stated the department would not release more information and requested privacy for Silver's family.
"Rest in peace Ofc. Michael Silver Call Sign #403, your brothers and sisters in blue will take it from here," he wrote in a Facebook post.
Silver began his career with PPD in 2008 after graduating
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Pittsfield ConCom OKs Bel Air Dam RemovalBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:52AM / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Local approval for the $20 million removal of the Bel Air Dam has been secured.
On Thursday, the Conservation Commission issued an order of conditions for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation's Office of Dam Safety to demolish the nearly 200-year-old structure and restore the natural stream channel.
"Get that dam down," Commissioner Thomas Sakshaug said.
Last year, $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars was allocated to remove the deteriorating, potentially deadly dam on Wahconah Street. It has been an area of concern for more than a decade, with the city and DCR conducting inspections, maintenance, and repairs. In 2020, it
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Dalton Seeks Clarity from DOR on EV Charger TaxationBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:51AM / Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The two electric vehicle charging stations at the Community Recreation Association have been delayed in energizing to clarify whether the town needs to tax consumers. As a municipality, the town does not pay taxes on its services. However, some states require charging a tax on electricity usage, Green Committee member Antonio Pagliarulo said during last week's committee meeting. The town is waiting to hear back from the state Department of Revenue on this matter. Once they know if charging a tax is required, the billing and payment system for the EV chargers can be adjusted to add that cost. In addition, two weeks ago, 11 Comments
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Pittsfield Housing Trust Awards $860K in APRA FundsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:29PM / Monday, October 21, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Affordable Housing Trust awarded more than $860,000 in ARPA monies to three projects it felt pushed the needle on the city's affordability and availability crisis.
With an end-of-year deadline, the trust recommended three projects for funding, and extra American Rescue Plan Act monies were allocated to fill the gaps. The panel was originally awarded $500,000 to disperse.
Director of Community Development Justine Dodds reported on Wednesday that the city ARPA team adopted the trust's funding decisions made last month.
Berkshire Habitat for Humanity received its full request of $240,000 for six new housing units, Hearthway received about
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Pittsfield Assessors Office Will Be Closed on Oct. 23| 03:33PM / Monday, October 21, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Assessor's office will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 23 as staff will be attending a conference. If there are any time sensitive matters that arise on Oct. 23, staff will be monitoring emails and voicemail. The city asks that any constituent who may need assistance reach out to the office prior to the closure or after the office opens, on Oct. 24. The Assessors Office can be reached at (413) 395-0102. 11 Comments
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Planned for Pittsfield| 08:12AM / Monday, October 21, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A household hazardous waste collection, organized by the City of Pittsfield will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested must pre-register to drop off designated household hazardous waste items. No walk-ins will be allowed. The collection will be held at the city’s Highway Facility, 81 Hawthorne Avenue. Participants are asked to utilize the rear entrance on Hawthorne Avenue not the entrance from West Housatonic Street. Online pre-registration is required by midnight on October 25 and can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/PittsfieldHHW. Please review the complete list of accepted and 11 Comments
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Dalton Board of Health Condemns 27 Mountain View TerraceBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:49AM / Monday, October 21, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Board of Health voted to condemn 27 Mountain View Terrace on Wednesday after not much progress had been made to resolve the home's condition. Although the board condemned the house, it also gave the owner an additional 60 days to allow the completion of necessary repairs and cleanup, but only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. When a home is condemned, occupants must vacate and secure the property and a timeline is established for demolition or repair. In Dalton, there's typically a one-year period from the date of condemnation during which the house must be demolished if not repaired, Health Agent Agnes Witkowski said during a 11 Comments
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