Pittsfield Energy Saving Trees Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As part of the City of Pittsfield's annual Arbor Day celebration, the city has partnered with Eversource for a community tree planting program.
 
Eversource is donating over 1,000 three- and five-foot-tall trees to local communities through its Energy Saving Trees Program with the Arbor Day Foundation, a larger environmental initiative across its three-state service territory. Approximately 200 trees will be available for Pittsfield residents.
 
To participate, Pittsfield homeowners can visit https://get.arborday.org/eversource to select and reserve a free tree while supplies last. An interactive tool is available in the portal to determine the best location to plant the tree or shrub for energy savings.
 
While in the portal, residents will be provided an opportunity to review the trees available and select the tree that is best suited for the location to provide the maximum benefits. If you are a renter, Eversource asks that you contact your landlord for this request.
 
Trees will be provided during the distribution day on May 1, between noon and 7:00p.m., in the upper parking lot of the Springside House, located at 874 North Street. To receive a tree, an application must be completed online through the application portal prior to the event.
 
Pittsfield does not allow trees to be planted in the city's right of way without permission. If you are seeking permission to plant a tree in the right of way or have questions about where the right of way boundaries are, please email dpw@cityofpittsfield.org.
 
In addition, the City of Pittsfield will not be planting or maintaining any trees on a resident's property that are a part of this program.
 
The city's Arbor Day Ceremony will be held at 12:30p.m. on May 1 at Taconic High School in partnership with their CTE Environmental Science and Horticulture programs. A tree will be planted outside near the front of the school. Light refreshments will be provided by Taconic's Culinary Arts program after the ceremony.
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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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