Pittsfield Seeks Public Input for Draft CDBG Annual Action Plan

03:27PM / Tuesday, April 28, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development has released the draft Annual Action Plan outlining how federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will be used to address housing and community development needs in Pittsfield for the HUD Program Year 2026.

The Community Development Office, in conjunction with the City Council's subcommittee on Community and Economic Development, will hold a public hearing on May 5 at 6:00 p.m. on the proposed CDBG program budget and draft 2026 Annual Action Plan. The public hearing will be held at City Hall, 70 Allen Street, in the Council Chambers.

The hearing is part of a 30-day public review process that is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides an opportunity for public input on the draft plan. Through what HUD terms an entitlement grant, HUD provides the city with CDBG funding on an annual basis. The 30-day public review and comment period runs from Wednesday, April 22, 2026 until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026.

The draft 2026 Annual Action Plan proposed budget of $2.1 million consists of $1.2 million in estimated new CDBG funds and $400,000 in expected program income and reprogrammed funds as well as an estimated $500,000 in available revolving loan funds.

The Department of Community Development has proposed using CDBG money during the upcoming 2026 fiscal year for projects that include public facilities, removal of architectural barriers, public services, housing rehabilitation, economic development, clearance, planning activities, and administrative costs.

Beginning April 21, 2026, copies of the draft 2026 Annual Action Plan are available for public

review in the Community Development office, and on the city's website: www.pittsfieldma.gov/235/Community-Development-Block-Grant.

Written comments can be submitted to Community Development at any time during the 30-day comment period via email at njoyner@pittsfieldma.gov or by mail to the Department of Community Development, 70 Allen St., Room 205, Pittsfield, MA, 01201. People with special needs should contact Community Development at (413) 499-9368 or TTY 413-499-9340 prior to the public hearing and every effort will be made to accommodate their requests.

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Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires
05:29PM / Monday, August 24, 2026

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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