Pittsfield Announces Street Improvement Projects for June 16-20

11:23AM / Saturday, June 14, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has announced a street improvement project scheduled to take place from June 16 to June 20.

The project includes work on aprons and paving, with specific locations and times detailed.

During this period, on-street parking will be prohibited on Orlando Avenue, Ridge Avenue, and Backman Avenue between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. due to apron work.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will also be conducting work within the city. Paving on North Street, specifically between the Lanesborough town line and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance, is expected to be completed on Monday. Additionally, structure adjustments from First Street to South Street are scheduled to continue throughout the week.

The City of Pittsfield advises motorists to use caution when traveling on these roads. The announced schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions.

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

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 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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