Pittsfield Panel Backs School Bus Stop-Arm Cameras

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:20AM / Wednesday, September 24, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City councilors are in favor of a theoretical system that flags vehicles that don't stop for school buses.

On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee supported Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren's request to accept a new statute that gives the option to install a detection system for school bus traffic violations.

Warren explained that this doesn't mean it will get implemented, but it accepts state law (MGL Chapter 40, Section 71) so that the city can look into it. Earlier this year, Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill that allows municipalities to use school bus violation detection monitoring systems.

"We're talking about kids. We're talking about the only way you can catch this is probably this way," he said.

"Even if you're in a car that's behind a car that does this, first of all, by the time they do it, you haven't had a chance to take down their license, you haven't had a chance to video it, and they're gone. And if a lot of people are doing this, children are in danger. If they know that there is a system in place, then I think we will see a lot better."

He explained that the person in charge of Pittsfield Public Schools' bus operations would determine the feasibility and cost of the system, "but you can't do that until you do this." Warren pointed to a constituent's reports of people regularly passing buses with the stop arm out near Morningside Community School.

"Unbelievable," he said, noting that "maybe just by virtue of the City Council passing this, it might send a message to some people out there to be a little more aware when they're around schools at school time."

These cameras, referred to as "stop-arm cameras," detect, record, and help enforce laws against drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus while its red lights are flashing and stop arm is extended.

Subcommittee Chair Dina Lampiasi, councilor for Ward 6, said this makes it an option for Pittsfield.

"That doesn't mean that we have adopted it or that we're making any financial investment," she said.

Tags: school buses, school safety,

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Pittsfield: No E-Bikes on Sidewalk

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Wednesday, October 28, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city will place signage downtown to remind people that e-bikes are not allowed on the sidewalk.

On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules subcommittee heard an update about e-bike enforcement in response to a petition from Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso and Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn.

Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales confirmed that under Massachusetts law, it is illegal for any motorized bicycle, regardless of the class, to ride on the sidewalk.

"So, at this point, we will start installing some signage in the North Street area," he reported.

"Doing so for the whole city is going to be very cumbersome, and we're not going to be doing that, but I think there's something to be done in terms of education and outreach and enforcement citywide for that."

Pittsfield has begun to develop what that signage will look like in the downtown corridor. Amuso has received many complaints about the North Street and Elm Street areas; Morales said they could work to locate some key spots on Elm Street for signage.

"I know it's a citywide problem, but I think if we start on North Street and work our way out and come up with a plan, that would be good," she said.

The councilors petitioned to increase enforcement of bicycle and e-bike use on Pittsfield streets, install signage in high-traffic areas, and launch an educational program for kids.

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