With a little help from the community, 36 South John Street has been completely renovated from the eyesore it once was.
PITTSFIELD – A local resident has purchased a recently renovated Westside neighborhood home with plans to create a new community resource for foster children.
Sylvester Josephs purchased the duplex from the city for $175,177. He said he plans to create a group home for foster children.
The home, located at 36-38 South John St., was rehabilitated using a U.S. Department of Housing block grant that totaled $250,000. The city took over the building when it was abandoned by its landlord and restored the blighted property.
"Not only is this an example of how the community can come together on a project to improve our neighborhoods, but with Mr. Josephs' plan, it will improve the lives of many of our less fortunate children," said Mayor James M. Ruberto in a statement.
"I am so overwhelmed and so excited with my new home," said Josephs in a press release. He is a first-time homebuyer and a supervisor at Cranwell Resort. Josephs currently has one foster child in his care. "I can't wait to move everything in and get everything ready to start the group home."
With help from students in Taconic High School's vocational/technical programs, the renovated home contains two units for housing; each side has 1,824 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a modern, energy-efficient hot water baseboard heating system.
This is the latest addition to the Westside Rehabilitation Initiative, which includes the renovation of 264 Bradford St., the planting of trees, sidewalk repairs, vacant house demolitions, and increased code enforcement by the city’s Health, Fire and Building Inspectors departments.
The house was completed in August and bids on the property were accepted until Oct. 1. The minimum bid was $150,000.
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Taconic High Names Top Students of the Class of 2026
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School Principal Matthew Bishop has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2026.
They will speak during the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 12, at 4 p.m at Tanglewood in Lenox.
Gavin O'Donnell, son of Kevin and Colleen O'Donnell of Pittsfield, has been named valedictorian with a grade average of 103. Hunter Bentz, son of Heidi Bentz of Pittsfield, has been named salutatorian with a grade average of 102.4.
Throughout his high school career, O'Donnell has exemplified the values of leadership, commitment, and excellence that define the Taconic community. He achieved high honors all four years and made significant contributions to both the school and the wider community. He was an active member of the Link Crew, Green and Gold, and Class Council, just to name a few of his activities.
A dedicated athlete, O'Donnell played soccer and baseball all four years and was named captain of the varsity soccer and baseball teams both junior and senior years. His commitment to service extended beyond athletics, as he volunteered with Unified Games and was a math tutor at Taconic. He has also been an active part of Pittsfield Soccer Club, where he has helped
referee youth soccer games and assisted in getting the fields ready for game days.
He has earned several awards, including being a member of the National Honor Society, the John and Abigail Adams Award, and being an AP Scholar and an AP Capstone Graduate.
O'Donnell plans to pursue a degree in finance at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will continue to play baseball and hopes to excel as a student.
The ceremony took place under a large tent behind the Elizabeth Gatchell Klein Arts Center on the School's Holmes Road campus and was broadcast worldwide via Zoom. click for more
On Monday, the Ordinances and Rules Subcommittee supported adding the community health program manager position as part of the department's new initiative.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and General Electric last week held a public hearing at Herberg Middle School for the Reach 5A Final Design and Restoration Plan, which details remediation efforts for the Pittsfield stretch of the Housatonic River.
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Town meeting on Tuesday approved an almost $14 million fiscal 2027 budget, and approved bylaws for short-term rentals and signage, and for public safety vehicles.
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