Pearl Ambassador Program Enhances Downtown Pittsfield Cleanliness

10:34AM / Friday, August 08, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), in partnership with ServiceNet, and with support from MassDevelopment's TDI Local Grant, has launched the Pearl Ambassador Program - a community volunteer initiative that improves the downtown environment with strategic connections and beautification efforts.

Through this program, residents of The Pearl, ServiceNet's shelter located at 21 Pearl Street, volunteer to clean and care for downtown Pittsfield. Participants - known as Pearl Ambassadors -remove litter, clean benches and parking meters, and help maintain the appearance of sidewalks and public areas. In exchange for their contribution, ambassadors receive a $40 gift card for 2 hours of volunteer work along with a weekly group lunch in the downtown.

Residents of The Pearl have been instrumental in the development and leadership of the Ambassador program by identifying downtown areas that need improvement, participating in program creation and direction, and taking action to make North Street a more vibrant and welcoming place for all residents and visitors.

Now in its eighth week, the Pearl Ambassador Program is already making a visible impact. The program has funding to continue through October.

Downtown visitors and residents can recognize the Pearl Ambassadors by their bright yellow vests, which signal their active role in keeping the district clean and welcoming.

Pearl Ambassadors responsibilities include the management of cigarette receptacles along North Street between Union and Maplewood Avenues. At Ambassador recommendation, six additional units have been ordered and will be installed in high-use public areas including Persip Park, Sotille Park, and Dunham Mall.

"Our members identified cleanliness as a key concern, and we are lucky to be working with the team from The Pearl on this much-needed project," said Rebecca Brien, Managing Director of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. "Their commitment and ongoing efforts have made a noticeable difference in the downtown."

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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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