Pittsfield Seeks Public Input for CDBG Annual Action Plan

08:54AM / Tuesday, February 17, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield, through its Department of Community Development, is preparing to draft its Program Year 2026 Annual Action Plan, which will help to determine how the city allocates its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the next program year, beginning July 1, 2026.

CDBG funds are provided annually to the City of Pittsfield through an entitlement grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.

The Annual Action Plan is designed to help local jurisdictions assess their affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions. The consolidated planning process serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities that align and focus funding from the CDBG formula block grant program.

To engage the entire community in this critical conversation, the city is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at the Berkshire Athenaeum, located at 1 Wendell Avenue, to gather input on the city's highest priority needs that can be addressed with CDBG funds.

For individuals who live or work in Pittsfield and may not be able to attend the public input session or submit comments, an online survey is available now through March 20, 2026. It can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/hekabrz6. The information provided will assist in the development of the 2026 Annual Action Plan. This survey should take about ten to fifteen minutes to complete.

Under Federal guidelines, at least 70 percent of CDBG funds must be used to benefit low-and moderate-income individuals and families. Each funded activity must meet one of three national objectives: 1) benefits low-and moderate-income individuals, 2) aids in the prevention or elimination of conditions of blight, or 3) addresses an urgent need that poses a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community, which occurred within the last 18

months, and for which other funding is not available.

For questions related to the Annual Action Plan or the survey, or to request accommodations at the public hearing contact Nate Joyner, in the Pittsfield Department of Community Development by email at njoyner@pittsfieldma.gov or by phone at (413) 499-9358.

Tags: CDBG,

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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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