Downtown Pittsfield Lit Up for Pittsfield Beautiful

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Lightscapes will honor Pittsfield Beautiful for its commitment to the downtown by lighting up the exteriors of buildings and public spaces with flower colors, Monday, July 22, through Sunday, July 28.
 
"The effect of all the plantings done by our local Pittsfield Beautiful organization makes a wonderful difference to our urban landscape, so we are planning a special lighting show of flower colors (red, yellow, orange and violet) to honor all of the volunteers and reinforce the festive summer season," said Steve Oakes, property owner liaison for Berkshire Lightscapes. 
 
"When I contacted Claudine Chavanne of Pittsfield Beautiful about our plans for a commemorative light show, she said, 'This is an overall team effort to make downtown shine in a welcoming and inviting manner.' I replied, 'When any of the volunteers drive down North Street in the evening, these lights shine for them!’"
 
Berkshire Lightscapes lights up the exteriors of downtown buildings and public spaces to help illuminate and energize downtown Pittsfield. The artistic, energy-efficient LED lighting is coordinated between buildings and allows for exciting light shows. Check out the following buildings after dark:
  • City Hall
  • Dunham Mall
  • Persip Plaza
  • Sottile Plaza
  • The Colonial Theatre
  • Barrington Stage Company's Wolfson Center
  • Crawford Square
  • The Shipton Building
Berkshire Lightscapes will be installing lights on the fronts of the Masonic Hall and United Church of Christ building, formerly called South Congregational Church, this summer. These two additional buildings will provide a bright new entry for the southern gateway to downtown Pittsfield. 
 
After the Pittsfield Beautiful special show, Berkshire Lightscapes will project all red in honor of Barrington Stage Company's 30th anniversary celebration on Monday, July 29.
 
For more information on Berkshire Lightscapes, call 413-443-6501 or visit berkshirelightscapes.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Reviews DPW, COA, Ambulance Budgets

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Select Board and Finance Committee had a detailed look last week at the needs for the fiscal 2027 budget from the Parks Commission, ambulance, Council on Aging, and the Department of Public Works.
 
All were asked what it would mean if they were asked to level fund their budgets.
 
The Council on Aging Director Lorna Gayle said she had room to reduce her budget and her hours. Her spending plan budgets $54,187 and $38,000 for transportation.
 
She could cut $300 in office supplies but did request an increase to add a chair tai chi class, adding $3,500 for the instructor. 
 
Gayle she believed she take transportation driver line down to the 2024 level of $30,000; the current projection is a little over $35,000. When others were nervous about losing a driver, Gayle assured them he would not leave as he loves his job.
 
When asked about participation rates she said it varies but the COA has a good turn out and the yoga class is so full it's capped.
 
"The participation rates in the classes vary, but we've had sometimes three people because it's snowing, but then we have 22 people, and we're cramped in here," she said. "The line dancing class one started out there were like five of us tap dancing away."
 
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