Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women Host Public Hearing

07:58AM / Monday, March 23, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women (BCCSW) will host a public hearing on Saturday, March 28 from 2:00–4:00 PM at the Pittsfield Public Library at the Berkshire Athenaeum (1 Wendell Ave) to hear directly from women and girls across Berkshire County.

The Commission invites women and girls of all ages and backgrounds to share their concerns, experiences, and policy priorities. Participants may offer oral testimony or submit written statements for the record. Testimony gathered at the hearing will be compiled into an official report and shared with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) and Massachusetts state legislators to help inform state policy.

This public hearing provides a structured opportunity for residents to speak directly into the policymaking process — ensuring that the lived experiences of women and girls in Berkshire County are reflected in local and statewide decisions.

To support broad participation, a Spanish-language interpreter will be present and first aid–certified childcare will be provided on site.

"This is about listening," said Marissa Meehan, Secretary of the Commission. "We want to hear directly from the women and girls in our community to understand what's working and what needs to change. Even from our corner of the Commonwealth, Berkshire voices deserve to meaningfully inform Massachusetts policy."

Taking place at the start of spring — a season of renewal and new beginnings — the hearing is an opportunity to come together and build something better for our community. Gathering in the heart of our county's largest city, in a space provided at no cost by our public library, also reflects what thoughtful public policy can make possible: free, welcoming places where neighbors can exchange ideas and be heard. This event offers not only a chance to share concerns, but an opportunity to help shape the kinds of policies that create more spaces and support like this for all.

The hearing is open to the public. Community members are welcome to attend in support.

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15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports11:35AM / Sunday, October 11, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive.

On Friday evening, the Pittsfield Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Dr. in about an hour.

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children. The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings.

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation. One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue.

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 ½ story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out.

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release.

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