Pittsfield City Council Accepts Common Grant; Extends Arts District

Ward 3 Councilor Nicholas Caccamo and at-Large Councilor Churchill Cotton reviewing documents.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council accepted a $1.7 million grant to finish the First Street Common project.

The second phase of the Common has just been completed. The new grant funds the last two phases, which includes adding a performance pavilion, new basketball courts, facilities, seating, walkways, community gardens and a spray ground. The project was originally planned to be completed in four phases but Gov. Deval Patrick allocated the funds to do the final two phases together.

"This will speed things up," Mayor Daniel Bianchi said.

James McGrath, parks and open space project manager, said the goal is to put the last two phases to bid as one in April with construction following in May. The project is a "legacy" one for Patrick and the city hopes to complete it by the end of the year.

"This will be a fast-tracked project but I think we can do it," McGrath said.

During the construction, McGrath said the park will remain open for passage and the playground will still be available.

The grant is requiring a match of about $170,000, which has already been allocated in the fiscal 2013 capital budget, McGrath said. Asked about the city's total contribution, McGrath said the city is paying out about $750,000 for the project.

The city also approved extending the Downtown Arts Overlay zoning district to First Street. The city had already expanded which types of development or redevelopment in that district and the map coincided with that change.

The city's Downtown Arts Overlay District is a zoning structured to preserve historic buildings while encouraging mixed-usages. The extension includes all of the side streets from North to First Street as well as the parcels on the east side. Nine parcels — from the Common to East Street — on the west side will also be included.

The Council referred the creation of an ordinance review committee to Council President Melissa Mazzeo.

Six people — Jody Phillips, Victoria Kane, Pam Green, Franz Forester, Dave Murphy and Robert Cornwell — were all suggested by Vice President Christopher Connell while at-Large Councilor Kathleen Amuso suggested Matthew Kerwood. Other councilors said they didn't know they could submit more for consideration.

Ward 6 Councilor John Krol said he expected the council president to have already selected three names and he was willing to vote on those. He said he wants to "get it going" and hopes at the next meeting the president will have narrowed it down.

However, now that seven more names were now discussed in public, Councilor at Large Barry Clairmont said it is embarrassing to those who aren't picked for the committee. He said the process was handled improperly.

The councilors also voted to change their — and the council subcommittee — meetings from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The half-hour earlier start time is the midway point between the current time and a 6:30 time posed by Simonelli. Simonelli said he heard from residents that the meetings went too late into the night and that they couldn't participate.

"I think a lot of the citizens miss out," he said.

However, other councilors said that 6:30 was too early because of other meetings and the short time between a typical resident's end of work time. They split the difference and 7 is now the new time.

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.