Pittsfield Committee Recommends Against School Budget Law

The Ordinance & Rules Committee is recommending the City Council reject a petition on Tuesday to adopt a law allowing it to override a mayor's school budget.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Committee on Ordinance & Rules is recommending the City Council reject a petition on Tuesday to adopt a little used Massachusetts law enabling it to override a mayor's decision on the annual school budget.

The subcommittee voted 3-2 last week against recommending a petition.

If enacted, Massachusetts' Chapter 329 would allow a school budget appropriation to be increased above that called for by a mayor, provided at least four members of the School Committee, and eight members of the City Council vote to do so. Opponents of the move point out that there do not seem to be any other discernible cases where a community has adopted this in the 17 years it's been on the books.

"This is a proactive measure," said Councilor Churchill Cotton, who brought the petition forth after the School Committee voted 6-1 in support. "This is not a criticism of how things have been done in the past."

"There's no guarantee that by adopting this, school budgets will go up," added Cotton, who previously served on the School Committee prior to election as a councilor in 2011.

Two current members of that committee, Chairwoman Katherine Yon and Cynthia Taylor, also attended to speak in its favor, saying the provision could offer greater public participation and overall transparency in the budget process.

"Let's make history, let's blaze a trail," said Yon. "Let's adopt 329 to have the opportunity to work more effectively to do what's right for our community."

Councilor Kathleen Amuso, also a former School Committee member, disagreed, saying she believes adopting this could lead to yearly attempts at increased budgets.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.