The Rewind: June 21 thru 27

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
12:03PM / Saturday, June 28, 2025Print Story | Email Story

A lot has happened in the Berkshires this week. Here are some of the stories you may have missed.

U.S. Senator Warren: 'It's Bad In Washington'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren held a town hall event at the Colonial Theatre last Saturday, during which she described President Donald Trump's proposed bill a "Big, Beautiful Betrayal of the American People."

More information here.

New Business Offers Boat Tours in the Berkshires

The new boat tour business, Berkshire Boat Tours, has emerged in Berkshire County, offering individuals the opportunity to experience the area's beautiful lakes.

More information here.

Williamstown's Remedy Hall Moves into New Home

The non-profit Remedy Hall continues to provide "basic life necessities" to families experiencing hardships in its new bigger location located at 620 Main St., in Williamstown

More information here.

Stay Safe In the Heat Wave: Cooling Centers and Resources

The Berkshires and areas in the central and eastern United States experienced extreme heat for several days this week. We provided a list of Cooling Centers and Resources. More information here.

BRTA Administrator Robert Malnati Retiring Next Year

Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Administrator Robert Malnati has been getting people on the bus for more than two decades and is set to retire next year.

More information here.

State Cafe is Serving Fresh Vietnamese Dishes

The pop-up restaurant State Cafe recently opened on Main Street in North Adams and is offering Vietnamese cuisine and beverages.

More information here.

Pittsfield Subcommittee Supports Crosby/Conte Feasibility Study

The Pittsfield finance subcommittee unanimously supported borrowing up to $2 million for the feasibility study that will explore a possible Conte Community School and John Crosby Elementary shared facility.

More information here.

Lee Elementary Student Wins 'My Ideal School' Award

A pupil at Lee Elementary School was a winner of Massachusetts School Building Authority's My Ideal School contest. More information here.

Hudpucker's OKed For Outdoor Dining

The city of Pittsfield approved outdoor dining for Hudpucker's Pub and Grill located at 101 Wahconah St.

More information here.

North Adams' Greylock School Project Estimated $1M Under Budget

The Greylock School budget is running about $1 million under budget as of the submission of 60 percent design documents. More information here.

Pittsfield School Committee OKs Middle Grade Restructuring

The Pittsfield School Committee has decided that now is the time to move forward with restructuring the city's middle schools.

More information here.

Two Educators Charged in 2024 Drowning of Herberg Student

Two educators have been charged with "preventable and reckless oversights" that preceded the drowning of a Pittsfield Public School student last summer.

More information here.

Pittsfield Superintendent Bids Farewell to District After 32 Years

Superintendent Joseph Curtis bid farewell to the School Committee on Wednesday, as he enters retirement on Monday.

Read these stories and more on iBerkshires.com.

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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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