Preview: First Pittsfield City Council Meeting of the TermBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
02:06PM / Monday, January 12, 2026 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council will handle grants, subcommittee assignments, and a local historic district effort during its first meeting of the new term on Tuesday.
On the agenda is a $50,000 donation from the Feigenbaum Foundation Inc. for the Wahconah Park ice rink, a $66,826.52 Violence Against Women's Act STOP state grant for the Police Department, and a petition to establish a Local Historic District Study Committee for the Park Square area.
New and returning City Council and School Committee members were inaugurated on Jan. 5 at City Hall. Councilor at Large Earl Persip III was elected president, and Councilor at Large Peter White vice president.
White previously served as the president, and Persip as vice president.
"I know firsthand the complexities of opposition and how important it is to work together to provide the best and most efficient services to residents, businesses, and our community. I look forward to working with you in this new capacity," Mayor Peter Marchetti said to Persip during the swearing-in ceremony.
"Vice President White, you have a vital role on the council, and your previous work will be helpful. I know when you served as my vice president, you were the best parliamentarian that anyone could ask for, and I’m sure you will continue that work."
The $50,000 grant from the Feigenbaum Foundation will go toward Pittsfield’s effort to bring outdoor public ice skating back with a portable rink in front of Wahconah Park. The city is working on its plan for the historic baseball park after the deteriorated grandstand is demolished, and wants to bring life to the property in the meantime.
The funds will be directed at programming activities on the ice rink, preferably for a skate rental and community access program.
The Pittsfield Police Department was awarded $66,826.52 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors) Grant, which supports law enforcement strategies to combat violent crimes against women and develop services for victims. It is matched by $22,275 from the PPD.
Earlier in 2025, the Historical Commission began discussions about a possible historic district around Park Square. In early December, the commission became the petitioner to amend the City Code and create the study committee that fleshes out the details.
"The committee shall investigate the need for such a district and provide as a conclusion of its role a final report, draft map, and a draft ordinance regarding the district to City Council for review. The role of the Historic District Study Committee will be to study and justify the need for a Local Historic District. This process will take around one year to complete," Chair John Dickson explained in a letter to the council.
"Following this, the City Council will have the final decision on whether a Local Historic District is established."
The area around Park Square is eyed for a historical district. The Park Square Local Historic District would establish standards for regulations for the preservation of historic properties.
Park Square is already on the National Historic District register, but the designation is "very limited" in its ability to preserve historic resources. A new district could review any changes to exterior architectural features and prevent the demolition of buildings within the district in an effort to protect them.
The approximately 18-month process begins with establishing the study committee to complete a report on every building and property that would be included. The committee would then create an ordinance, design guidelines, and an official map, and a copy of the final report is sent to the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Pittsfield Community Development Board for review before it goes to the City Council.
2026-2027 subcommittee assignments are also on the agenda for Tuesday. Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi will serve as chair of Ordinances and Rules, and Councilor at Large Kathleen Amuso will chair the Finance Subcommittee.
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