Pittsfield Council OKs Funding for Infrastructure ProjectsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:10AM / Thursday, April 13, 2023 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A number of public infrastructure projects were allocated money by the City Council on Tuesday.
Councilors voted to appropriate $7,500,000 from certified free cash for street and sidewalk improvements and borrow up to $400,000 under the Water Enterprise Fund Capital Expenditure to replace the water line on King Street.
Ward 3 Councilor Kevin Sherman successfully motioned to waive Rule 27 for both of the orders to streamline the process.
Six million dollars will be spent on resurfacing 13 miles of roadway on 45 streets and $1.5 million will fund a sidewalk project.
Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales explained that the city will finish another $1.5 million sidewalk project this summer and, with this approval, the department will be able to finalize a list to go back to the council for review.
Residents of the West Side street have complained about poor water pressure and water quality because of insufficient lines. With the money, the two to 4-inch lines will be replaced with a 6-inch line.
"After six months of giving a hard time to the administration and to the commissioner fighting for this area, I would like to personally thank the mayor and the commissioner for making this appropriation and helping this area," Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Maffuccio said.
He reported that the residents have experienced water issues for 40 years.
Councilor at Large Earl Persip III asked if this prevents proper water extraction for the Fire Department in the case of a blaze and Morales said the department has a different plan in place to accommodate the area.
"I think it’s important that these people on this street have the same protection in the same time frame, can get water on a fire, which is the most important thing," he said, explaining that it is important not to delay it any longer.
Councilor at Large Karen Kalinowksy heard many complaints about water pressure and cleanliness coming through the line on King Street.
She proposed using free cash and was notified that it is not a free cash eligible project.
Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick voted against the borrowing. He said it is an important project but wanted to see free cash or American Rescue Plan Act funds used to cover it.
Also included in the upcoming street and sidewalk projects are $500,000 for mid-block crossing improvements on West Street, $200,000 for improvements to the intersection of Onota Street and Linden Street, $400,000 for mid-block crossing improvements on Holmes Road, and $200,000 for a crack seal project.
Morales explained that the West Street improvements tie in with a community response after a city woman was killed and her daughter was injured in a pedestrian crash in front of Dorothy Amos Park.
The city is proposing a design that narrows the travel lanes to reduce the distance that pedestrians have to cross while creating a shared-use path on one side. This is expected to reduce travel speeds without the need for a stop light.
Nicholas Russo, who organized a walkout that called for safer conditions on West Street in February, presented a petition to the council asking it to take immediate steps to improve conditions and implement safety measures.
There is a similar configuration proposed for Holmes Road near Dawes Avenue with narrowed lanes, increased signage, and the addition of more crosswalks.
Improvements at the problematic Onota Street and Linden Street intersection aim to increase visibility by moving the stop bar. The city would also like to make it a four-way stop but would have to come before the council to get approval for an additional stop sign.
Morales explained that crack seal is recommended for the mid-life of a road before the cracks become severe. The city is proposing to do about 25 miles worth of it.
Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren said that the appropriations highlight the important partnership that the council plays in local government.
"My colleagues and I joined together on an important goal and the mayor met us at the table and this is the result," he said. "Everyone should be commended because our residents are reaping the benefits."
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