| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Pittsfield Tax Rates Down But Values Mean Increased BillsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:43AM / Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city's tax rates have gone down but rising property values will increase most bills.
On Tuesday, the City Council approved a residential tax rate of $17.94 per $1,000 of valuation and a commercial, industrial, and personal property tax rate of $37.96 per $1,000 of valuation.
The fiscal year 2025 rate is 51 cents lower than the previous year but the average tax bill for a single-family home valued at $295,291 will increase by $354.51 annually. Last year, the same home was worth $267,914.
Of the 11,328 single-family homes, 568 will see a decrease, 1,687 will see an increase of less than $100, and 3,777 will see an increase less than the
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BRPC Releases Draft Safe Travel and Equity Plan for StreetsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:59PM / Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | |
Nicholas Russo, senior transportation planner with BRPC, presents findings from the action plan on Thursday. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With the help of federal and state funds, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is trying to make streets safe and equitable for all modes of transportation.
Last week, a draft action plan was released for the Safe Travel and Equity Plan for our Streets (STEPS.) The long-term project aims to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in traffic and non-modal accidents.
Community members gathered at the Berkshire Innovation Center and virtually for a public meeting on the effort on Thursday.
"In 2021 almost 43,000 people were killed in motor
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'Billy Budd' to Screen at the Beacon | 04:00PM / Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Historical Society continues its year-long program celebrating the centennial of the publication of Herman Melville's "Billy Budd, Sailor" on Nov. 13 at 7 pm with a screening of the 1962 film "Billy Budd." The Beacon Cinema in downtown Pittsfield provides an opportunity to experience this critically acclaimed British historical drama on the big screen. "Billy Budd" is directed and produced by Peter Ustinov. The film will be introduced by Arrowhead docent Richard Matturro. Matturro holds a doctorate in English with a specialization in Shakespeare and Greek Mythology. After 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Seeks Proposals for Human Services Funding| 03:30PM / Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield announced that applications are now available for funding to public service agencies to provide human service programs to benefit Pittsfield residents. Funding is for the program year beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Annually, the City undertakes a process through its Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC), an 11 member volunteer committee, which reviews the proposals and submits its recommendations to the Mayor. Last year's recommendations resulted in 21 human service programs receiving a total of $206,250 from the City general fund and from the federal Community Development Block Grant 0 Comments
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Senator Mark's November Staff Office Hours | 08:09AM / Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | |
 BOSTON — State Sen. Paul W. Mark's staff will host office hours at five locations in Berkshire County in November. 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, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. Town Hall, 8 Park St., Adams. Dalton: Monday, Nov. 18, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Senior Center, 40 Field St., Dalton. Great Barrington: Monday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Town Hall, 334 Main St., Great 0 Comments
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New Moon Lodge Holds Veterans Dinner and Resource FairBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:45AM / Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | |
Andrew Berry, a psychologist who works with veterans, speaks at Saturday's resource fair. More photos here. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 200 area veterans and their families were connected to a host of resources available to them on Saturday and had dinner, too. Organizations such as Hope for Warriors, American Veterans Archaeological Recovery, High & Mighty Therapeutic Riding Center, Veterans Affairs representatives and veterans service officers lined the hall at New Moon Lodge. Local restaurant Biggins Diggins served up smoked prime rib, Cajun-smoked pork chops, smoked chicken, baked potatoes, and seasonal vegetables The Freemasons 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Firefighters Battle Structure Fire, Brushfire| 12:00PM / Monday, November 11, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Firefighters fought a series of structure fires and a brush fire under control this Friday. Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at 933 Holmes Rd. around 4:24 pm on Friday Nov. 8. At the same time, firefighters were called to the area of 10 Scamwell Avenue for an out-of-control brush fire with possible impingement to a house. Upon arrival, firefighters found a working structure fire in the rear of 8/10 Scamwell. There was also active fire on the rear porch of 12 Scamwell, with a large swath of fire extending up the rear yard hillside to nearby homes on Draper Avenue. The fire at 8/10 Scamwell, a 2-1/2 story, wood frame, 0 Comments
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2nd Street Clinic on How to Seal, Expunge Criminal Record| 08:00AM / Monday, November 11, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 2nd Street, together with Community Legal Aid, will hold a free clinic on how to seal or expunge a criminal record on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 1-3 pm. The clinic will be held at the 2nd Street offices, located at 264 Second Street. Private consultations will be available. Community Legal Aid attorney Annie Maurer will lead the clinic, which will cover legal rights withrespect to housing and employment for those with a criminal record, as well as sealing and expungement of such records. Maurer will explain the four types of sealing/expungement: sealing by mail, sealing by court, age-based expungements and reason-based expungements. The 0 Comments
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Truffles By Tarah Pop-Up Opens in PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
06:03AM / Monday, November 11, 2024 | |
Boxed up truffles for holiday gifting. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Tarah Warner hand rolls and dips as many as 1,000 truffles per week. Throughout November and December, her treats will be available at a pop-up store in the downtown.
On Friday, the ribbon was cut for Truffles by Tarah at 48 North St. Offerings range from classic favorites such as dark chocolate to lavender lemonade.
"I'm just really excited to highlight locally sourced ingredients and to do the fun, interesting flavors that I've always been told nobody wants to try," Warner said.
"Things like the lavender lemonade, where people are like, 'No one's going to eat that, that's
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Public Safety Facility Panel Narrowing Potential SitesBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:17AM / Monday, November 11, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee is working to narrow down the four property selections it will include in its feasibility study. Committee members recently reviewed potential sites and voted to remove some from the list. Properties discussed included 134 East Housatonic St., 450 West Housatonic St., the Dalton American Legion, First Congregational Church, and the lot next to the Senior Center. During the feasibility study, the architect will assess what is needed for a public safety facility to be accredited and efficient. They will provide cost estimates and consider different scenarios, such as 0 Comments
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Veterans Day Ceremonies and Holiday Hours| 04:01AM / Monday, November 11, 2024 | |
An image of the 353rd Infantry in France taken two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect. Veterans Day falls on Monday, Nov. 11, and will be observed as a state and federal holiday. The federal holiday is to commemorate the service of the nation's military veterans in ensuring peace.
It was first known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. In recognition of the efforts of World War II veterans, President Eisenhower in 1954 signed legislation creating Veterans Day with the goal of honoring all American veterans. The Veterans Day National Committee choses a commemorative poster
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Market 32 Honors Veterans With Discount | 03:44PM / Sunday, November 10, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Market 32/Price Chopper is honoring Veterans with a special 11 percent discount on any one shopping trip on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. All veterans and retired, active-duty, reserve and National Guard military personnel and immediate family members are welcome to the discount with proof of service and AdvantEdge Card. Proof of military service includes Uniformed Services ID Card, Common Access Card, VA Healthcare Card, VFW Membership Card, Veterans Advantage Membership Card, Veterans Administration ID Card, American Legion Membership Card, DD214 Form, or driver’s license with veteran status indicated. "We greatly respect 1 Comment
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