Pittsfield Announces Concurrent Street Improvement and Water Flushing Schedules

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PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The City of Pittsfield has announced concurrent infrastructure projects scheduled for the week of May 12 to May 16.

Street improvements will take place on the following streets from May 12 to May 16: raising structures on Daniels Avenue and Newell Street; and loam and seed application on Ridge Avenue, Orlando Avenue, Backman Avenue, and Jason Street. Additionally, curbing installation is scheduled for Newell Street on May 12 and 13.

Separately, a Massachusetts Department of Transportation project will involve milling North Street from the Lanesborough Town Line to the Berkshire Medical Center entrance, with structure raising also occurring on North Street.

During these street improvement activities, on-street parking will be prohibited on the affected streets between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The City of Pittsfield’s water system will also undergo its final phase of spring flushing from Monday, May 12, to Friday, May 16, between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Water mains citywide will be flushed through hydrants. Areas anticipated to be affected by the flushing include Cascade and Churchill streets, and West Street from Fort Hill Avenue westward, encompassing Meadow Ridge Drive, Lillybrook Road, and Westbrook Terrace.

The city advises that water flushing may cause temporary localized discolored water and reduced water pressure. Residents experiencing these issues should run their water briefly to clear it. Persistent discolored water or low pressure should be reported to the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.

The city reminds residents that the water flushing is a standard procedure for maintaining water quality. Motorists are asked to use caution on roads where street improvements are underway. Both schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions. Updates are available on the City Hall- City of Pittsfield Facebook page, Mayor Peter Marchetti’s Facebook page, and the Pittsfield Mayor’s Office Instagram account.

 

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Rename

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

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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