PITTSFIELD, Mass. — "It's the sound of freedom" is how the assistant airport manager describes the increased activity of military helicopters at the airport.
Residents may have recently noticed many military helicopters flying overhead recently. But don't be alarmed: it's just practice.
"The Army helicopters have a new navigation system and they are doing training that has to be accomplished by a certain date," Airport Manager Robert Snuck said.
"With us having an instrument approach here, some of that training is required to be conducted in designated mountain terrain. We happened to be a designated mountain terrain."
Those two element: having an instrument approach and designed as a mountain terrain makes the Pittsfield Municipal Airport fertile ground for training. The flights come in from Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield or other bases throughout the country, land with the new instrumentation and then fly out.
"A high volume of people in a short amount of time is why we are hearing these," Airport Commission Chairman Chris Pedersen said.
The noise from the helicopters is annoying for many, especially when the flights come in late at night. Locally there isn't much that can be done.
"There has been an increase in activity because of that but we cannot restrict the military in any way because of the federal funding we receive," Snuck said. "We can't restrict the amount of flights, the times that they fly."
Soon the training period will be over. So buckle up and enjoy the rest of the ride until everyone is trained. Then, the air traffic will somewhat normalize.
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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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.
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.
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