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While camped out on the roof, volunteers and law enforcement officers tossed buckets tied on strings down to those who wanted to donate.
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Cop on Top Raises $45K For Special Olympics

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The torch, lit by a local athlete, burned throughout the event.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The ninth annual Cop on Top event raised $45,000 for the Special Olympics.
 
For two days local law enforcement officers camped out at the roof of Walmart in Berkshire Crossing while in the parking lot there were a number of raffles, sales, and giveaways to help raise money.
 
The officers fell quite a bit short of their goal of $55,000 but, nonetheless, are calling it a success.
 
"We didn't do quite as well as years past but I think the weather played a part," said Investigator John Bassi. 
 
The event is put on by the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Torch Run program. The money goes to support some 600 local athletes in the games. Last year the local event raised the most it ever had before with $58,000. But a rainy and chilly Sunday kept the organization from approaching that this year. Bassi said donations were trending on target Saturday but Sundays were low.
 
"It is definitely a respectable number [of dollars raised]," Bassi said. "It still boggles my mind every year."
 
Similar events are held elsewhere but in Massachusetts, the Berkshire one has routinely been the largest. And it continues to be.
 
"Nobody will surpass us," Bassi said, though he added Chicopee could come close. 
 
Officers were on the rooftop for a total of 32 hours, starting right after the 9 a.m. opening ceremonies on Saturday and ending at 5 p.m. Sunday. The event is held annually early in December when Christmas shopping tends to be a peak. Bassi said this year 75 volunteers, members of law enforcement, and athletes were involved.
 
A half dozen officers spent the rainy night on the roof. Bassi said the tent he stayed in leaked, making for a miserable night sleep.
 
"The weather was not our friend," Bassi said.
 
Cop on Top is the longest standing program of the local Law Enforcement Torch Run organization. Despite the difficult year, Bassi said he is still really happy with the outcome.

 


Tags: cop on top,   fundraiser,   Special Olympics,   

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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.

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