Emergency Responders Seek Training For Pipeline Expansion

Chairman Robert Czerwinski wrote a letter in support of the grant, which would give responders additional pipeline safety training.

LENOX, Mass. — With a proposed extension of a natural gas line from Richmond through to Franklin County, area emergency responders are eyeing additional training in case a safety issue arises.

The Central Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee has written a letter in support for the county to receive up to $50,000 in federal funds for additional training.

Chairman Robert Czerwinski said the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is applying for the funds, which will help responders know potential hazards and their roles and responsibilities should an incident occur.

"It has to go through a lot of regulations but during that process, BRPC approached me and asked if we'd support additional pipeline safety training," said Czerwinski, Pittsfield's fire chief.

The gas line expansion, proposed by Kinder Morgan, which owns the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., looks to break a new line off the existing one in Richmond and expand through Lenox, Pittsfield, Dalton, Hinsdale, Windsor and Peru on its way to Franklin County.

The Western Mass Homeland Security Council had purchases laptops, cables and software to reprogram radios and a team was arranged to oversee it. The material is kept at the Berkshire County Sheriff's Department office and is available to any county department needing assistance.

"It was a fabulous use of resources," Grady said "For me, it goes back to the relationships built in these rooms"

That isn't the only shared resources available at the sheriff's office for area agencies, he said, and encouraged the other agencies to reach out to the department if they need something. Czerwinski added that the Pittsfield Fire Department is using lighting for an upcoming training, which is being borrowed from the sheriff's office.

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.