Pittsfield Anticipates Increased Community Block Grants

The city will get more than expected in Community Development Block Grant funds this year, but diminishing amounts mean reductions in staffing in the Community Development office.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After three consecutive years of reductions in local Community Development Block Grant funding, what was at first expected to be a further cut because of the federal sequestration may now amount to a small increase in the coming fiscal year.

"Even with the anticipated sequestration cut that they made, we're receiving a slight increase of 4 percent CDBG funds for the 2014 fiscal year," acting Community Development Director Bonnie Galant informed the City Council's Committee on Community and Economic Development on Monday.

While the city had been told early this year to expect as much as a 10 percent cut in its CDBG allotment, which comes from the federal Department of Housing and Development (HUD), it now expects around $1.16 million, which combined with program income brings the total budget to $1,673,883. The change comes following a determination that HUD will be able to utilize $300 million in disaster funding to augment its community building allocations this year.

The four-member subcommittee looked favorably on the Community Development Department's draft action plan for the CDBG funds, which will be spent for five main priorities: development of the planned Westside Riverway, sidewalk reconstruction and accessibility improvement, demolition of condemned buildings, human services funding, and to continue the neighborhood clean ups and community garden programs.  

These priorities, said Galant, were planned in response to public input from two community meetings held earlier this year to poll residents on what projects they felt the funds should be used for. 

Councilors Kevin Morandi and John Krol, who represent the Ward 2 and Ward 6 neighborhoods where the public input meetings were held, said the projects in the draft plan did a good job of addressing the concerns residents had put forth.

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.