Raising Pittsfield Traffic Violation Fines Proving Difficult

City Solicitor Kathleen Degnan explains to Councilors Christopher Connell and Melissa Mazzeo the various aspects of the city code.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A group of city officials is finding that changing the fine structure for pedestrian, parking and moving violations isn't as simple as it seems.

A Police Advisory Committee's traffic subcommittee met with two city councilors, the city solicitor and representatives from police, fire and the tax collector's office on Tuesday to sort the legal steps needed.

They found the city's code is convoluted, referring to multiple state codes, and only 19 of the state laws are covered by city ordinance.

(A task force is currently researching the alignment of the city charter and code.)

Changing the fee structure will have to be done in steps, they said.

First, Police Advisory Committee member and attorney Alan Righi will be meeting with City Solicitor Kathleen Degnan to craft language that gives the Police Department the authority to write state law violations with city ordinances — meaning the city would reap all of the ticket cost instead of having the state take some of it.

"It doesn't work because Chapter 13 [of the city code] is incompatible with parts of the state statutes," Righi said.

For example, if a city officer pulls a motorist over for not stopping at a stop sign, he has to look up which code to write moving violation under. Officers currently have two ticket books — one for state violations and another for city violations.

Changing that language would allow police to write all tickets under city ordinance, ease the city's handling of tickets and setting the stage for future fine changes.

Fines also have to be in line with state regulations on how expensive they can or will be. That would only cover moving violations, so parking would be the next conversation.

"We have to amend [city code] significantly," said Police Chief Michael Wynn.

After amending the code for parking violations, they will then look at streamlining the ticketing process. Currently, the parking clerks, Fire Department, Police Department and tax collector have varying systems. Police often can't tell which tickets had been written by another department nor can they tell if they have been paid.

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.