|
| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
|
Pittsfield Looks to Update Zoning for ADUsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:31AM / Friday, November 22, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Accessory dwelling units will be by-right in early 2025 and the city wants to be prepared.
On Tuesday, the Community Development Board voted to become the petitioner for amendments to the City Code that reflect the new ADU legislation. City Planner Kevin Rayner has crafted a draft ordinance that the board will dig into before it goes to the City Council.
As a part of the $4.1 billion Affordable Homes Act signed into law over the summer, ADUs up to 900 square feet can be built by right in single-family zoning districts.
"This legislation will go into effect February 2, 2025, so we're trying to get our ordinance to accommodate ADUs by that
0 Comments
Read More >> |
63-Year-Old Lost Postcard United With Intended RecipientBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:21AM / Friday, November 22, 2024 | |
The 63-year-old postcard delivered to Herberg Middle School. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In 1961, a South Junior High student sent a postcard from Paris to her favorite art teacher. On Monday, he finally received the piece of mail.
Raymond Guidi was surprised and glad to see the communication after all of this time. He worked for the Pittsfield Public Schools for a few years and then taught in Dalton for nearly 40.
"I have had former students contact me through the years," he explained.
Two weeks ago, iBerkshires.com called on the public to locate "Mr. Guidi" after a long-lost postcard addressed to him from Sue Smart arrived at Herberg Middle School. Not long
0 Comments
Read More >> |
The Retired Investor: Thanksgiving Dinner May Be Slightly Cheaper This YearBy Bill Schmick,
04:49PM / Thursday, November 21, 2024 | |
After several years of price increases, consumers have come to expect that the typical Turkey Day dinner will cost more this year. Depending on how astute a shopper you are, you could get away with paying less this year. Some items on your dinner agenda may be more expensive than in 2023 but others may have dropped in price. The price may also depend on where you shop and whether you insist on buying only name brands or are willing to buy store brands instead. Every year since the COVID pandemic, grocery store prices and costs have been going up with the largest contributors to the cost being transportation, labor, and climate change. In 2020 (plus-3.5 percent), 2022 (plus-9.9 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Letter: Is the Select Board Listening to Dalton Voters?Letter to the Editor,
12:00PM / Thursday, November 21, 2024 | |
 To the Editor:
A reasonable expectation by the people of a community is that their Select Board rises above personal preference and represents the collective interests of the community. On Tuesday night [Nov. 12], what occurred is reason for concern that might not be true in Dalton.
This all began when a Select Board member submitted his resignation effective Oct. 1 to the Town Clerk. Wishing to fill the vacated Select Board seat, in good faith I followed the state law, prepared a petition, and collected the required 200-plus signatures of which the Town Clerk certified 223. The Town Manager, who already had a copy of the Select Board member's resignation, was notified of the
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Dalton Division Road Project in Pre-25 Percent Design StageBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:41AM / Thursday, November 21, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The town's engineers say there is still time to work through the Dalton Division Road project’s design and permitting process. In December, the Select Board voted to advocate for Concept A, which would have sidewalks on both sides, a 5-foot bike lane in the road on both sides with a buffer, and a 2-foot painted buffer between the vehicle lane and in the bike lane. They also recommended the two-way stop control option. Since that decision, there have been sentiments to revisit this decision to reduce the cost and improve safety at the intersection off Williams Street, Washington Mountain Road, and Mountain Road. The 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Dalton Water Chief Says Lead in Lines UnlikelyBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
12:52PM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | |
 DALTON, Mass. — Some residents received an "alarming" notice from the Water Department about the possibility of lead pipes or solder in some homes, but officials assured them not to worry. The notice is a result of a new rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at the federal level to ensure that there is no lead in anybody's drinking water, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said during a Select Board meeting last week. "Going forward, there's additional regulations regarding that, and the water district has sent out letters … that says you may have lead pipes. They will be conducting surveys to find out what the extent of the 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Holiday Events and Tree Lightings 2024| 12:15PM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | |
 This year's holiday gatherings and annual tree lightings are being announced Here's what we have so far in events below. If we're missing any, let us know at info@iBerkshires.com. Visit our Holiday Bazaars and Craft Fairs list for holiday craft fairs and markets. Christmas Tree Lightings Adams: Tree lighting and a visit from Santa at the annual Holly Days on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Town Common. Will include wagon rides, refreshments and activities. Home Holiday Decorating Contest registration is from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6, with judging on the following weekend. Look for the link online to register. Cheshire: Annual tree lighting is Sunday, 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Harvest Festivals and Craft Fairs 2024| 10:55AM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | |
 The air is crisp, the leaves are falling, the holidays are approaching artisans and craft enthusiasts know what that means. It's craft fair and bazaar season! This list will be updated as we get more information. Have an event to add? Email us at info@iberkshires.com. Note that some craft fairs may run two days; those extra days are in bold. Saturday, Dec. 14 Holiday Shindy The Holiday Shindy has been a shopping tradition, showcasing artisan vendors from across the region. The Shindy features the chance to meet and watch local farms and makers weave, sew, preserve, and whittle. Longtime vendors and
0 Comments
Read More >> |
Local Stop & Shop Inventory Still Low After Cyber Attack| 10:41AM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Shoppers have reported bare shelves at local Stop & Shops after a reported cybersecurity attack. The Boston Globe reported on Nov. 12 that Stop & Shop claims a cybersecurity issue is affecting its parent company, Ahold Delhaize. Company officials reported that there is limited inventory on certain products and they are restocking shelves as soon as item availability improves. The grocery chain's parent company Ahold Delhaize said its US outlet had to take some of their systems offline, disrupting its pharmacy and e-commerce business. Ahold Delhaize reports it is investigating the issue and is working with law 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Pittsfield CPA Project Eligibility Application Process Open| 07:39AM / Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Community Preservation Committee announced that the project eligibility application process for a new year of CPA funding is open through December 6, 2024. The Committee also welcomes public participation to understand community priorities as it begins a new year of soliciting potential projects for funding. Eligibility project applications are due by 3 p.m. on December 6. The application process involves two steps: The first is a determination of whether a project is eligible for CPA funds under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44B. A digital version of the application for this first step is available through the Community Preservation 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Berkshire Museum festival of Trees: Aquatica Exhibition| 10:40AM / Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Berkshire Museum's Festival of Trees (FoT) annual holiday exhibition returns with a new theme – Festival of Trees: Aquatica. According to a press release, this year's topic is all about the sea, river, and wetland critters and ties into the museum's construction, redesign, and expansion of their aquarium. Now in its 40th year, FoT offers visitors a chance to enjoy a display of trees located on the 2nd floor of the museum, all decorated by local businesses, schools, museum staff, and tree sponsors. This year's temporary exhibition runs Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 and is free with 0 Comments
Read More >> |
Dalton ZBA OKs Gas Station AppealBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:44AM / Tuesday, November 19, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Zoning Board of Appeals gave Lipton Properties the green light to reopen 630 Main St. as a gas station. The location has been an automotive repair shop, Miller's Service, for several decades until its owner, Darren Miller, sold it to Lipton Properties in February 2024 for $500,000. It had been a gas station dating back to the 1930s prior to that. Lipton Properties agreed to purchase the property provided the environment was in good condition, and the garage lifts and unused underground tanks were removed, said Michael Lipton, president of Lipton Inc. The tanks had to be removed to comply with the state Department of 0 Comments
Read More >> |
|
|
MEMBER SIGN IN
