Pittsfield to Conduct Hydrant Flow Testing Starting June 3

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Public Utilities will begin hydrant flow testing on Tuesday, June 3.
The testing will occur throughout the city over several weeks to assess flow rates and pressure.
 
Testing will take place between 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM on scheduled dates. The following areas are slated for testing:
 
  • June 3: Ridge Ave (Dove Street to Fairway Avenue), Hancock Road at Pecks Road, Lakeway Dr. (from Pecks to Bakers Island Rd.), Savoy Ave, Sheffield St., Orlando Ave at Oakhurst Ave, Waubeek Road, Hancock Rd. at North St., North St. (from Broadway to Yarmouth), Sunset St., Lakeview St., Mervyn St., North St. (from Fairview to Sherrill), North St. at Walden Ln., Demont Ave and Bryan St.
  • June 4: Clark Rd. and Burke Ave., Allengate Ave, Brighton Ave & Windsor Ave, Broadview Ter, Dickinson Ave and Tanner St, Crestview Dr and Bossidy Dr, Dalton Ave. at Highview Dr., Howe Rd., Asci Dr. from Cheshire Rd., Morningview Dr. and Meadowview Dr., Partridge Rd., Stephen Dr. and Glenn Dr..
  • June 10: South St. at Dan Fox Dr., Conte Dr. and Technology Dr West, Holmes Rd. at Vinal Ave. and Lathers Ave., E New Lenox Rd., Anita Dr and Maria Dr and Lucia Dr, Shetland Dr. and Clydesdale DR., Holmes Rd. at Pomeroy Ave., Williams St. at Dalton Division Rd., Williams St and Ann Dr, Alfred Dr. and Brookside Dr., Mountain Dr. at Glory Dr..
  • June 11: Ventura Ave, Grand Ave and Brattle St, Richardson St., Naples Ave and Pembroke Ave, Superior St., Reuter Ave. and Ontario St., Maple Grove Dr. and Maple Ln., Elm St. and Williams St., Dodge Ave and Donna Ave., Dexter Ave. and Lillian St, Strong Ave, Cambridge Ave & Hazelwood Ter., Gravesleigh Ter and Cooper Pkwy, Warwick St, Pomeroy Ave and Noblehurst Ave, Northumberland Rd. at Malcolm Ave, Dawes at Waverly St, Dawes Ave, High St. and Appleton Ave.
  • June 17: S.Mountain Rd. at Tamarack Rd., Cole Ave., Gamwell Ave. and Velma Ave., Hollister St. and Boylston St Ext., Woodleigh Rd. and Barker Rd., Roselyn Dr and Loumar Dr, Columbus Ave., S John St. and John St., Acorn St. and Woodbine Ave., Pontoosuc Ave. and Lenox Ave, Orchard St. and Lincoln St., North St from Stoddard Ave to Springside Ave, Onota St. and Monroe St., Madison Ave and Seymour St..
  • June 18: Elaine Dr. and Harryel St., Dalton Division Rd., East St. and McIntosh Dr., Mcintosh Dr. and Wealthy Ave, Bradford St and Linden St., Pearl St. and Fenn St..
This testing may result in localized discolored water and brief periods of reduced service pressure. If residents experience discolored water, they are advised to let the water run briefly to clear it. Should discolored water or low-pressure conditions persist, residents should contact the Water Department at (413) 499-9339. Hydrant flow testing is a procedure that contributes to the maintenance of the water distribution system. The city acknowledges and appreciates residents' patience during this process.
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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

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 restructure 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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