Pittsfield Receives Over $1.2 Million for Water Resources Management Plan

10:32AM / Wednesday, May 14, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. As part of its May 7, 2025 meeting, the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Board of Trustees approved funding for water infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth, including a low-interest loan of $1,299,759 for the city of Pittsfield.

This loan, identified as CW-25-06, will support Pittsfield's Integrated Water Resources Management Plan.

The Massachusetts Clean Water Trust, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), facilitates the development of resilient communities by assisting municipalities in upgrading their water infrastructure. This is achieved through low-interest loans and grants, such as the one awarded to Pittsfield, via the State Revolving Funds. These funds are a collaborative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, providing financial support for crucial water infrastructure projects in cities and towns statewide.

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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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