PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's capital improvement plan for the upcoming fiscal year services the roads and sidewalks, school buildings, and more.

On Wednesday, the City Council preliminarily approved the five-year capital improvement plan, running from FY26 to FY30, with no discussion. Forty-five percent of $65 million in FY26 expenditures are going to school maintenance, such as boiler replacements, roof repairs, and HVAC system upgrades.

Twenty-two percent will go to road improvements, and 18 percent to stormwater and culvert improvements.

"I think every year, when I was council president, I really didn't know what to do with the five-year capital improvement plan. It was just there, and what do we do with it? Because it's a working document," Mayor Peter Marchetti admitted.

The five-year capital plan serves as a blueprint for planning the city's capital expenditures and is one component of financial management that credit rating agencies consider when assessing credit quality.

"The proposed FY2026 – FY2030 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for the City of Pittsfield invests more than $455 million in important capital projects, prioritizing roadway quality, parks and recreational opportunities, City and School facility improvements, safe and functional vehicles and equipment for staff, and modern information technology," it reads. 

The proposed General Fund Capital Investment Strategy recommends a 6.5 percent commitment of GF revenues for capital projects. The plan also funds all water and wastewater capital projects from enterprise fund revenues (water/sewer rates and retained earnings) and "reflects the City's substantial efforts to seek State grant funds and other funding sources for capital projects."

"It exists because it's investments in our important capital projects, prioritizing our roadway quality, our parks and recreational opportunities, city and school facility improvements, safe and functional vehicles, and equipment for staff and modern information technology," he said.

"A municipality that fails to continually reinvest in its capital assets or fails to plan strategically for capital needs could likely face expensive emergency expenditures, failure to meet development goals, and even catastrophic safety and health impacts."

It is described as a "roadmap to the future," allocating more than $450 million for 112 capital projects over the next five years through bond premiums, grants, free cash, the Community Preservation Act, and more.

"This year, when we brought forth the capital borrowing authorizations, you will only see projects that are shovel-ready and ready to move forward," Marchetti explained.

Included in the FY26-FY30 capital project requests is William Elementary School's $330,000 effort to revamp its outdated playground.

"We believe that every child, regardless of ability, should have access to a safe, inclusive place to play. Our vision is to construct a playground that meets current safety standards, promotes inclusive play, and provides equipment that is accessible to all abilities," PTO member Joseph Simon said.

"This is more than just a playground. It is a commitment to equity, health, and well-being for our children."

The Williams PTO has raised more than $100,000 for the effort and is working toward raising another $100,000.

"This partnership will allow us to leverage those funds for a greater impact and ensure that our new playground serves as a model for safety and inclusion play spaces in our community," Simon said.

"This playground is not just for the students of Williams Elementary. It is a space used by the entire neighborhood. Families gather, friendships are formed, and children develop physical and social skills that last a lifetime. Investing in this project is an investment in our community's future."

Last year, Williams was designated as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. The award program honors high-performing schools and institutions making great strides in closing achievement gaps.

Only eight other schools in the state have received the designation this year, 356 nationally. According to state assessments, Williams scored in the top 15 percent in English and mathematics.

Simon said this is a "testament to the excellence in education and community engagement that they foster."

"But while our academic achievement shines, one crucial element of our school and community falls far short: our playground," he said.

"The current playground is outdated, unsafe, and frankly, in desperate need of replacement. Over time, wear and tear have made many elements unusable and no longer meets the modern safety standards for our students in the surrounding community. It should be one of joy and exploration. That is why the Williams PTO has taken action."

The council also preliminarily approved an order to transfer and appropriate $1,000,000 from overlay surplus to a capital account for building improvements to Old Town Hall on Park Square.

Marchetti reported that the police department's administration will be moved to the building that is "currently not usable."

Last year, the city put out a request for proposals for 12,000 square feet of move-in-ready space for the police.

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