Arrowhead, headquarters of the county Historical Society and home of Herman Melville, has had a failing septic system for years.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Finance Committee on Monday supported a $650,000 borrowing under the Sewer Enterprise Fund for a connection to Herman Melville's Arrowhead.

The approximately 700-foot extension includes the installation of two deep manholes and will connect two properties to the city sewer. Construction will cost $500,000, a 20 percent contingency will cost $100,000, and the construction administration and resident engineer will cost $50,000.

"Melville's property and the museum is paramount. It's very similar to the project that we supported two years ago, increasing the wastewater in line for Bousquet so we do have a long history of supporting businesses in our town that need it," Ward 4 Councilor James Conant said.

"The sewer line will also be available to the other residents across the street."

He explained that the length of Holmes Road from the bridge to Lori Court does not have a sewer line and his goal over the next few cycles is to extend it to all of those homes, of which there are about 20.

Berkshire County Historical Society Executive Director Lesley Herzberg said Arrowhead's current systems have been deemed to be in failure and the society has been exploring options for a few years.

"It seems like it's just benefiting Arrowhead but what happens is it will benefit our neighbors on Holmes Road but it also benefits our visitors, over 5,000 visitors a year, and in addition, it would make it more feasible for us to hold some larger events," she said.

"Which means that every wedding or event that comes onto our grounds, which would be hundreds of people at a time, so that just adds on to that 5,000 as a base, and it would allow for us to diversify our revenue streams and as a nonprofit who does struggle with finances. That is a very important way for us to think outside the box with our finances."

In 2021, the council approved an appropriation of $960,000 in Pittsfield Economic Development funds for the extension of water and sewer lines along Dan Fox Drive, connecting the lines immediately to Bousquet Mountain.

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales explained that this extension is smaller.  It is right around the crest of the road so anything north would have to be pumped up if it were to be connected and is not a part of the project.

"A lot of people at home are always saying this is for the Melville house and it's a small business and when we do something for Bousquet, a big business who we appreciate and we love, we should also love the historic homes that have been here longer than all of us," Councilor at Large Earl Persip III said.

"And we need to be supportive of those places and make sure they stay open because time over time after time I hear people complain that we let things close and we tear them down. Well, this is the time to support one of those things to keep the building open."

The committee also supported a $300,000 borrowing for the construction of a new taxi lane at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. This will cover the costs of an engineering phase and will be reduced by federal and state grant monies that have been awarded to the airport.

The local share required is $15,000.

"This project is a section of pavement that will open up an additional area of development," Airport Manager Daniel Shearer said.  

Behind the current row of hangars, we have a portion of land that is undeveloped at the moment that has been incorporated into our master plan as the next area to grow our hangers into and the first hanger, the City Council and the Airport Commission signed the lease for it so this is the piece of pavement to connect to that land. This will open that up so we can rent out additional space."

He added that the hangar is anticipated to be completed by the end of the calendar year and the airport is trying to tie the taxi lane in with that, which is why they are using the borrowing route rather than waiting months for the grants to come in.

"This just gets the ball rolling on the project early so we don't miss this construction season," Shearer added.

In other news, the subcommittee supported:

• The transfer and appropriation of $2 million from the Public Works Stabilization fund for street improvements. The funds will be used in conjunction with $1,300,000 from the fiscal 2025 Chapter 90 appropriation to the city and $600,000 from the Fair Share amendment. This will resurface about 6.5 miles of accepted streets, crack seal about 25.5 miles, and fog seal about 12 miles.
   
• The transfer and appropriation of $615,000 from certified free cash for street improvements.

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