State Democratic Party Opens Regional Office In Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The state Democratic party has opened a regional office on North Street.

In partnership with the Berkshire Brigades, the unit above the Beacon Cinema will be a home base for campaign operations for the next year.

The Brigades, which received donations from local Democratic legislators for this, are splitting the cost of the office with the Democratic Party and are hoping to make it a permanent home.

"It's the Western Mass regional office of the Democratic party," Brigades Chairwoman Sheila Murray said on Thursday. "It'll be used for all Democratic campaigns."

During last year's U.S. Senate campaign, the party enrolled 170,000 new voters with 3,500 of them coming from the Berkshires. With many elections — including another Senate race — coming in the next year, the party wanted to open regional offices to keep in touch with those voters.

Murray jumped at the chance and became only the fourth regional office in the state.

"We have continuous campaigning from now until next year," Murray said.

Any Democratic candidate can use the office and since opening at the beginning of the month, the group has been getting inquiries. The office has already hosted presumed gubernatorial candidate Donald Berwick. Murray said candidates have been calling her about scheduling appearances because of the office.

"It's not fully operational yet," Murray said, adding that the group began moving in on April 1 when the one-year lease was signed and is still moving furniture in and planning painting. "It was a lot bigger than expected."

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

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.