Pittsfield Launches A Public Survey

08:05AM / Thursday, January 08, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield is seeking public input through a new community survey focused on community interaction and the use of technology specifically related to the Department of Public Works (DPW).

The city is currently engaged in a project with the Edward J. Collins Center for Public Management at UMass Boston designed to review DPW's current organizational structure and operations. Part of this process includes a review of the use of technology, especially public-facing tools such as PittSMART and the city's website www.pittsfieldma.gov.

The project also focuses on overall communications and information sharing by DPW with members of the public.

The DPW is responsible for essential public services like road maintenance, snow removal, water quality, wastewater management and park maintenance.

The Department of Public Works and is asking members of the public to answer a short series of questions on this topic.

This short survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete. The survey will be available online using this direct link until Friday, Jan. 23.

The feedback will be confidential.

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Peace Officer Standards Commission Strips Former Pittsfield Cop of Certification

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
02:52PM / Tuesday, August 25, 2026

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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