Community Invited to Participate in Burbank Park Clean-Up

10:21AM / Tuesday, April 15, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the City of Pittsfield are organizing a community clean-up event at Burbank Park on Saturday, April 19, from 9:30 AM to noon.

The event is in recognition of Earth Day. A complimentary lunch will be provided to participants after the clean-up.

Burbank Park, situated along the shore of Onota Lake, has experienced issues with illegal dumping and litter. The purpose of the clean-up is to remove trash from designated areas within the park to restore its condition and protect local wildlife.

Volunteers should meet at the Onota Lake Boat Launch, located at 309 Lakeway Drive, at 9:30 AM. Participants will be divided into groups to cover different sections of the park. Gloves, trash bags, and other necessary supplies will be provided. Attendees are advised to bring their own water bottle, wear appropriate footwear, and dress according to the weather conditions on that day.

The event is open to individuals of all ages, and families, school groups, and organizations are invited to participate. Registration is required. Interested individuals can register through the provided link: tinyurl.com/BEAT-Earth-Day-2025.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to rename the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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