Pittsfield Street Improvement Project: Nov. 10-14

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. Be advised that the following street improvements are scheduled from Nov. 10-14:
  • November 10 & 11: Milling and paving of Valentine Road from West Street to Taconic High School
  • Allengate Avenue driveway aprons will be installed during the week.
West Street project update
  • The construction of new sidewalks and curbing work continues. During this work, lane closures at various sections are expected. We encourage drivers to seek alternate routes if possible.
Sidewalk Repairs:
  • Wendell Avenue between Broad Street and Colt Road
  • Bartlett Avenue between East Housatonic Street and Colt Road
During this work, the sidewalks above will be closed for pedestrian use. Pedestrians are asked to use the sidewalks on the alternate side of the street while construction is underway. This work will take several weeks to complete and the weather may have an impact on the schedule.
 
Stormwater Improvements:
  • Glory Drive, contractor will be mobilizing equipment and materials to the area.
 
Additional utility work, in the right of way, will be occurring on the following streets:
  • King Street
  • Holmes Road
  • West Housatonic Street (Cadwell Road to Britton Street)
  • East Street (overhead utility work)
Please use caution when traveling on these roads. Drivers should seek alternate routes to avoid traffic delays. This schedule is subject to change based upon weather conditions.
 
 
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Pittsfield Considers Repairing East Part Cemetery

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Historical Commission will consider grant opportunities for repairs to East Part Cemetery.

A resident reached out to the city with concerns about degradation in the half-acre burial ground at the top of Williams Street. East Part Cemetery was established in the early 1800s and has about 300 interments. 

“It's a nice old cemetery, and basically, (the resident) had had concerns that the stone wall had taken some damage, the gravestones have taken some damage, and was wondering if there's anything that could be done to repair the gravestones and the wall," City Planner Kevin Rayner told the commission on Monday.

In cooperation with cemetery leadership and residents, the Historical Commission will consider applying for Community Preservation Act funds to support repairs. West Part Cemetery, on the other side of Pittsfield, has previously used CPA funds for revitalization work. 

The 1080 Williams St. property is owned by the city and managed by the Pittsfield Cemetery Commission. Rayner presented photos of broken and overgrown gravestones, parts of the stone wall collapsing, and knocked-over obelisks. 

Some aspects could use general maintenance and restoration, he observed. 

According to the Pittsfield Cemetery and Crematory's website, East Part Cemetery was established around 1808 on land owned by Nathan Webb, who permitted and authorized its use as a public burying ground.  

In 1842, Nathan Webb's son, also named Nathan Webb, deeded the property to the Methodist Episcopal Society of Pittsfield as a public burying ground, and in 1893 the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Society transferred their control of the cemetery to the Proprietors of the Pittsfield Cemetery. Their action was confirmed by the Berkshire Probate Court.

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