Barrett Fund Awards $75,000 to Eight Community Groups

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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announced today that the William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund for Adams, Cheshire and Savoy recently awarded grants totaling $74,763 to eight nonprofit organizations in those three towns.

"Berkshire Taconic is proud to be the steward of Margery Barrett’s legacy,” said Jennifer Dowley, president of the foundation. “Margery was born in North Adams and spent most of her life as a teacher in Adams. Her dream was to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Adams, Cheshire and Savoy. She would be thrilled today to see the great good it has done over the years."

The Barrett Fund was established in 1995 by Margery Barrett using Pfizer stock inherited from her father and husband. Barrett remained anonymous until she died in 2000, when the remainder of her trust was added to the fund. The fund has since distributed more than $2 million to worthy projects.

The nonprofit groups that received Barrett Fund grants include: Adams Police Department ($10,000) for the Police Athletic League, a program that allows the department to work closely with area youth in a structured athletic setting through basketball; Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School ($7,003) for promoting health and wellness; Berkshire Nursing Families ($10,000) for the North Berkshire Lactation Project, a program that provides comprehensive breastfeeding support services for families in Adams, Cheshire and Savoy; Cheshire PTG ($4,200) for the Berkshire Theatre Festival Residency Program; Child Care of the Berkshires ($7560) to support  science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum; Elder Services of Berkshire County ($8,000) for Meals on Wheels and group meals for seniors; Elizabeth Freeman Center ($10,000) for the Child Safe Child Strong Program; and Youth Center ($18,000) for Community Programs and Outreach.


Child Care of the Berkshires will use its Barrett Fund grant to improve learning opportunities for young children in Adams and Cheshire. Anne Nemetz-Carlson, executive director of Child Care of the Berkshires, said, "Children are avid learners, and STEM will allow them to be involved in fun hands-on math and science activities. The grant we received will also help support the new STEM curriculum so that our children will be ready to enter kindergarten. We are very excited to have the opportunity to start this new project."

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.
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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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