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| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Dalton Mulls Over Proposed Sign PolicyBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
05:15AM / Friday, September 20, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The town is considering establishing a sign policy that would restrict the posting of certain signs on town property. During the Select Board meeting last week, Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson presented the proposed policy on "Political Signs on Town Property." The policy draft defines "political" as anything related to elections or voting. It proposes prohibiting all signs of that nature, such as political campaigns, issues, or events, from being posted on town property. Select Board members expressed concerns about the proposed policy, including its language and impact on free speech. The board directed the town 0 Comments
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ARPA Funds Approved for Public Safety Feasibility Study By Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
06:05PM / Thursday, September 19, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board voted to allocate $100,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act funds to fund a feasibility study for a proposed public safety facility. With a thick packet in hand, Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee member Anthony Pagliarulo demonstrated to the board last week that not only is the current police station not a viable option to house a 21st-century Police Facility, but also that a feasibility study, grant writing, and videography of the current station is needed. The 40-page packet has seven exhibits that show aspects of the project the committee has considered over the last three months. These include a draft 0 Comments
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The Retired Investor: Deals Coming Back in Some Consumer AreasBy Bill Schmick,
04:45PM / Thursday, September 19, 2024 | |
Consumers have been bludgeoned for years by higher prices. In this era of inflation, discounts disappeared as prices of everyday items climbed higher and higher each year. It has been a long time, but value is finally returning in various consumer areas. This summer could be called the season of markdowns as corporations across America have become concerned that price-sensitive consumers have been trading down to cheaper goods and services. Many companies have seen sales decline as discount stores and labels have taken market share. While the Federal Reserve Bank and the Biden administration applaud the progress made on inflation, the truth for the consumer on Main Street is 0 Comments
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Letter: Project 2025 Is an Urgent Threat to DemocracyLetter to the Editor,
02:30PM / Thursday, September 19, 2024 | |
 To the Editor:
I have watched the recent resurgence of the Democratic Party with growing optimism for America's future. Kamala Harris offers America a sane, intelligent candidate who clearly understands the critical importance of American democracy, domestically, and for world stability.
Harris' pro democracy stance contrasts dramatically with Project 2025, the de facto policy platform of Donald Trump and his Republican Party. An urgent threat to American democracy, Project 2025 creates a step-by-step playbook for a second Trump administration, blatantly laying out an authoritarian master plan for the replacement of American Democracy with autocracy.
Project 2025 abolishes
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Pittsfield Selects BCC Internship Program to Be Profiled | 08:00AM / Thursday, September 19, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has selected the internship program at Berkshire Community College (BCC) as one of the next American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded community partners to be profiled through city social media and other publicity outlets. Over the past several months, the city has been using its platforms to highlight ARPA-funded work being done in the community. Additionally, the profiles are intended to raise awareness about how these funds are helping city residents and/or small businesses who were negatively impacted by the pandemic. The BCC Internship Program is available for BCC students who are residents of Pittsfield. Interns gain 0 Comments
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Pittsfield Looking to Increase Safety at Public BeachesBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:29AM / Thursday, September 19, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city wants to create a plan that will yield the safest public waterfronts possible.
The Parks Commission on Tuesday discussed a request from resident Daniel Miraglia to require life jackets or floatation devices on all swimmers at city-owned public beaches. His petition was referred to the panel at last week's City Council meeting.
While personal floatation devices cannot be required by law for the general public, the intent is to present a proposal that creates the safest waterfront possible for public beaches that don't always have lifeguards on duty.
"We don't want to create a false sense of security," Park, Open Space, and National
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Pittsfield Schools' New Cell Phone Policy Effective So FarBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:21PM / Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The revised cell phone policy has shown positive results so far for the Pittsfield Public Schools.
"I feel like we have reversed time. My students are engaging with me, engaging with others. I have had no issues with cell phones at all," one teacher reported to the administration.
Matthew Bishop, interim assistant superintendent of instruction, assessment, education, and engagement, shared an update on cell phone infractions with the School Committee last week.
With 13 instruction days left in the month, there have been 156 referrals with a tightened policy that holds students' phones in the main office on a second infraction. There were 989
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Blue-green Algae Bloom Found in Pontoosuc Lake| 04:08PM / Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Recent observations results at Pontoosuc Lake have confirmed the presence of a blue-green algae bloom at Pontoosuc Lake that may present harmful health effects for users of the lake. Accordingly, and as recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, a public health advisory is being issued. Waterbody poses risk for people and pets. • Do not swim. • Do not swallow water. • Keep animals away. • Rinse off after contact with water. Warning signs are being posted around the lake. Blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, occur naturally in lakes and ponds throughout Massachusetts. These 0 Comments
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Dalton Green Committee Seeking CAP Logo SubmissionsBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
03:02PM / Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Dalton Green Committee is asking Wahconah Regional High School to submit logo designs for its Climate Action Plan. The committee has sent a letter to the school's art teacher, Bonnie Capogna, requesting her students' assistance in creating a design to accompany its CAP. "We would like the logo to touch upon one or more of the following attributes representative of our community or any other pertinent attributes [including] the Housatonic River, Appalachian Trail, Pine Grove and Greenridge parks, the town hall, Community, Recreation Association, family and community values, smallness, friendliness, and charm of our 0 Comments
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Berkshire United Way Kicks Off 2024 Campaign, Honors Fundraising CoordinatorBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:37AM / Wednesday, September 18, 2024 | |
President and CEO Thomas Bernard spoke to school and career readiness as critical to laying the foundations for later success. Berkshire United Way partners with local educational programs. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire United Way has recognized Susie Brown for decades of leadership in fundraising efforts at Lee Bank.
Last week, she was presented with the Employee Campaign Coordinator Award for her work as the co-chair for employee giving campaigns at the bank since the 1980s. Brown, the senior vice president of administration, has inspired 100 percent (or close to) participation for many years.
"I love the United Way and have always loved the United Way but I don't do
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Dalton Health Board Extends Vote on Blighted HomeBy Sabrina Damms, iBerkshires Staff
03:30PM / Tuesday, September 17, 2024 | |
DALTON, Mass. — The Board of Health last Wednesday agreed to extend its vote on condemning 27 Mountain View Terrace to the October meeting. Roberta Steele and her niece, Kathleen Winterstein, who lives in Utah, have been working since June to develop a plan to address the home's condition. Steele has been cited several safety issues with the home, including clutter blocking egresses, a collapsing roof and porch, mold throughout the house, especially in the basement where there is water damage, and the lack of water, electricity, and gas. Neighbors have complained that rats coming from the "abandoned" property have infested their 0 Comments
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BCHS Presents the Opera 'Billy Budd'| 11:32AM / Tuesday, September 17, 2024 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — "Billy Budd, Sailor" is Herman Melville's novella exploring themes of innocence, justice, and the corrupting influence of power. According to a press release: It is the tale of a noble young sailor who is conscripted, falls victim to petty jealousy, and pays the price with his life. Set aboard a British naval ship during the Napoleonic Wars, Budd is falsely accused of mutiny and sentenced to death. Even as he is martyred, he retains his integrity. As part of its continuing celebration of the centennial of Billy Budd, Sailor's publication, the Berkshire County Historical Society, in collaboration with 0 Comments
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