PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City Council went through 18 agenda items in less than an hour on Tuesday. 

 

This included a vote to enter into an intermunicipal agreement with Dalton to reconstruct Dalton Division Road and to adopt the city's May 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan update. 

 

The Dalton Division Road project involves "significant" improvements to the 1.6-mile stretch.  When the project was in 25 percent design last year, Dalton planners were mulling options for sidewalks, bike lanes, and other road measures. 

 

Each municipality will be responsible for acquiring any necessary land interests and permits on its own soil. Dalton will cover appraisal costs and compensation for takings, and has agreed to indemnify Pittsfield against challenges to the takings. 

 

The agreement is for five years with the option to extend to eight years, or until the project is completed. 

 

According to the state Department of Transportation's project page, this $13-$14 million project is planned to be funded through the 2028 Transportation Improvement Program for the Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organization.  Construction is set to begin in 2028. 

 

"The southern [side] with Williams Street and Washington Mountain Road has a crash rate above the statewide average (17 crashes from 2009-2013) with predominantly [property damage only] crashes and several non-fatal injuries," the page reads. 

 

"The roadway segment crash rate is lower than the district-wide average for urban arterials. Bicycle and pedestrian use is evident along the corridor, but there are no sidewalks or bike lanes adjacent to the roadway. 

 

"The roadway is used regularly by two [Berkshire Regional Transit Authority] routes, but there are no designated bus shelters on this road." 

 

Councilors also approved an update to Pittsfield's Hazard Mitigation Plan, a 418-page report that examines natural hazards affecting the area and provides guidance for informed, cost-effective mitigation actions. 

 

"You may remember, about a month ago, we had a gentleman who wanted us to be prepared for a nuclear attack, as if we were in the 1980s. This more seems to deal with natural disasters, rather than other disasters," Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren said. 

 

The May update had been approved by the state Emergency Management Agency pending adoption by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The council's endorsement is the final step to formally adopt the plan. 

 

"Hazard mitigation plans need to be updated and approved by FEMA every five years. The City's [plan] was updated in conjunction with the preparation of the municipal vulnerability preparedness project, which was completed in June of 2025," Fire Chief Thomas Sammons wrote in a letter to the council. 

 

With an adopted plan, the city is eligible to apply for pre-and-post disaster hazard mitigation project grant funding through FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance programs and other non-emergency disaster assistance.