Pittsfield Seeks Proposals for Human Services Funding

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield announced that applications are now available for funding to public service agencies to provide human service programs to benefit Pittsfield residents. 
 
Funding is for the program year beginning July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
 
Annually, the city undertakes a process through its Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC), an 11-member volunteer committee, which reviews the proposals and submits its recommendations to the Mayor. Last year's recommendations resulted in 23 human service programs receiving a total of $206,250 from the City general fund and from the federal Community Development Block Grant Program. 
 
Programs and consumers assisted with those funds cover a wide range of services for a diverse population. 
 
Programs include but are not limited to services for families with children, affordable childcare vouchers, homelessness prevention services, housing stabilization programs, programs for residents with disabilities and senior citizens, and arts programs.
 
Applications can be obtained by email request to njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org. Applications are to be submitted to the Department of Community Development, Room 205 at Pittsfield City Hall no later than 4:00 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2026.
 
In addition to submitting a written proposal, applicants will be invited to come before the HSAC
to make a presentation during February or March that will be televised locally.
 
The Department of Community Development will be holding bidder's conferences to assist applicants with the application process. Conferences will be held on Monday, Nov. 18 at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3 at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. 
 
All conferences will be held online via zoom. To register for a conference, please contact Nate Joyner at (413) 499-9358 or at njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org. New applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of these three conferences.
 
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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A former Pittsfield Police officer was one of five statewide who recently had their licenses revoked by the  POST Commission. 

Last week, the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission voted to strip five former officers of their licenses to work in law enforcement, including former PPD officer William Straub

The commission had determined that these workers were unfit to carry a badge and gun in Massachusetts; so far, 92 state police officers have been decertified by the commission. 

Records indicate that Straub faced charges tied to a 2024 incident, but details are redacted.  On Oct. 31, 2024, the POST Commission suspended Straub's law enforcement certification, and he resigned from PPD in April. 

"According to Pittsfield District Court records, Straub pleaded guilty in April to two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery tied to a 2024 incident," MassLive wrote on Monday. 

"Three other charges, including drunk driving and carrying a firearm while intoxicated, were continued without a finding. While that resolution allows the charges to be dismissed after a period of time if Straub abides by certain conditions, the commission treats them as a criminal conviction."

According to records, he was certified as a police officer in July of 2021, and recertified in July 2024.  

"The Respondent's appointing agency, the Pittsfield Police Department ("PPD"), submitted a final report to the Commission finding that the Respondent had engaged in criminal conduct and conduct unbecoming [of] an officer," the Aug. 20 final decision to decertify reads. 

"The Respondent resigned from PPD on April 9, 2026, prior to the imposition of any discipline." 

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