Berkshire County Arc Presents Awards at 59th Annual Meeting

Berkshire County Arc Employee of The Year Award Recipient Betty Thayer stands with Executive Director Kenneth W. Singer and President of Berkshire County Arc's Board of Trustees Joseph P. Woitkoski.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Berkshire County Arc presented awards and recognized service at its 59th annual meeting on Nov. 15.

• Employer Special Recognition Awards were presented to the following employers, which have hired and maintained individuals in their workforce for the past 20 years: Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, Blue Q and Itam Lodge #564.
• The Business Partnership Award was presented to The Reading Institute on behalf of Zip 'n Sort Mail Services. The Reading Institute was the first customer of Zip 'n Sort when it opened 25 years ago and they have continued to maintain a strong partnership.
• The Citizen Advocate of the Year award was presented to Megan Anello.
• The Citizenship Award was presented to Ray Puchalski.
• The Carol Craighead Mission Award was awarded to Robert Bixler.
• The Outstanding Vocational Services Employee award was presented to David Donovan.
• The Outstanding Brain Injury Services Employee award was presented to Julie Sanchez.
• The Outstanding Advocacy and Family Support Employee award was presented to Amy Robandt.
• The Outstanding Administrative Employee award was presented to Michelle Baity.
• The award for Outstanding Day Program employee was presented to Patricia Agudo.
• The Berkshire County Arc Employee of the Year award was presented to Betty Thayer.
• The Berkshire County Arc Achievement Award recipients were Mammi Ofori and Shingo Yagi.
• The Berkshire County Arc Work Achievement Award was presented to Robert Jackson.
• The Achievement in Personal Growth Award was presented to Jennifer Terrio.
• The Joan Grant Self-Advocate Award was presented to Katie Jodoin.

• 10 Years: Sue Berryman, Robert Connors, Melissa Davis, Jennifer DeChaine, Antonia Jimenez, Daniel Johnson, LaSkeika Moody, Kevin Nolan, Kwame Oduro, Barry Ross and Jessica Warner.
• 15 Years: Kathleen Beaudin, Blanca Durant, Christine Ferrari, Kim Johns, Keri Purcell, Cheryl Smith, David Staples, Janet Stone and Bernadette Unsworth.
• 20 Years: Lisa Demary and Michael Caritey.
• 25 Years: Susan Derosia and Janet Newberry.

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.