Bianchi To Host Forum on Building Permit Problems

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A public meeting will be held to air concerns about the process for issuing building permits on Wednesday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.

The meeting will be hosted by Mayor Daniel Bianchi.

Contractors, tradesmen and any member of the public who wishes to know more about building permits and the process involved in obtaining them are invited to attend.

"This is an area of government that is regulated almost entirely at the state level, and focused on public safety and related building compliance," the mayor said. "There is little we can do about the laws. However, there may be ways that we can make the process easier and more effective for area contractors and homeowners."

Also attending will be the city’s building and fire inspectors.

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Toy Library Installed at Onota Lake

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Feel free to use or leave a toy at Onota Lake's newest infrastructure meant to foster community and benefit kids.

Burbank Park now has a toy library thanks to Wahconah Regional High School senior Alexandra Bills. Located along the wall at the beach area, the green and blue structure features two shelves with sand toys that can be used to enhance children's visits.

The Parks Commission supported Bills' proposal in February as part of her National Honors Society individual service project and it was installed this month. Measuring about 4 feet wide and 5.8 feet tall, it was built by the student and her father with donated materials from a local lumber company.

Friends and family members provided toys to fill the library such as pails, shovels, Frisbees, and trucks.

"I wanted to create a toy library like the other examples in Berkshire County from the sled library to the book libraries," she told the commission in February.

"But I wanted to make it toys for Onota Lake because a lot of kids forget their toys or some kids can't afford toys."

Bills lives nearby and will check on the library weekly — if not daily — to ensure the operation is running smoothly.  A sign reading "Borrow-Play-Return" asks community members to clean up after themselves after using the toys.

It was built to accommodate children's heights and will be stored during the winter season.

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