Pittsfield Police Award Station Feasibility Study Contract

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The city is hoping to replace the outdated Allen Street building.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The feasibility study on a new Police Station will begin next week after Kaestle Boos Associates Inc. has been awarded the contract.

According to Police Chief Michael Wynn, Kaestle Boos was chosen because of "extensive experience" in these type of projects.

Previously, the company has been involved in projects with police departments in Cambridge, Holden, Watertown and Monson. The company was one of four to bid on the contract.

The Kaestle Boos was chosen after an evaluation committee — consisting of Wynn, two Police Department representatives, the city's community Development Department and the Police Advisory Committee — reviewed the proposals and interviewed finalists.

The study is the first step the city has taken toward building a new police station. With the $30,000 contract the company is being asked to develop options, departmental needs and cost estimates — including possible locations — to replace the current 74-year-old station. The study is expected to be completed by June.



Replacing the Allen Street building has grown in priority in recent years. Officers have said the current building is problematic for the organization for an array of reasons.

Also last week, the department hired a new crime analyst. Amanda O'Connor was chosen and will join the staff shortly after the new year.

The two investments made by the city into the department have been cited by the Police Advisory Committee as priority needs. The crime analyst position was cited particularly to help combat gang activity while the station needs have been eyed by city officials for years.


Tags: capital projects,   feasibility study,   Pittsfield Police,   police station,   

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 
 
The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.
 
"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.
 
"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 
 
Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 
 
Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 
 
Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.
 
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