Pittsfield Civil Service Task Force Agrees To Disagree

The task force finalized its report on Thursday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The task force looking into the city's Civil Service system has agreed to disagree.

The committee finalized its report to Mayor Daniel Bianchi on Thursday regarding the use of the system in hiring permanent police and fire chiefs.

Representatives from the three bargaining units (two for police, one for fire) voted against removing the chief positions from Civil Service.

In a roll call vote, Matthew Hill, Pittsfield Police Superior Officers Union, Jeffrey Coco, Pittsfield Patrol Police Union, and Tim Bartini,  Pittsfield Firefighters Association, all opposed removing the chiefs from the system. The rest of the committee voted to recommend another system.

"We had clearly a difference of opinion between some of the members of the task force on whether or not the process of hiring a permanent police and fire chief through Civil Service," said task force Chairwoman Pamela Green.

While the task force was divided on whether to retain the system or opt elsewhere, the members did agree with a full report, which recommends provisions for if the city opts to go outside. The committee won't make a recommendation on if the chiefs should or should not be hired through the system and the reports leaves the ultimate decision up to the mayor.

If Bianchi chooses to go outside, the committee wants a consultant to be hired to establish clear protocol for the hiring process. That would then need a special act or be an ordinance so as to not be changed at the whim of any mayor.

"I think we all want, whatever process is in place outside of Civil Service is predictable, transparent and in writing so no funny stuff happens," said Michael McCarthy.

The report says the hiring must be "as objective as humanly possible; based upon merit, and transparent." It also calls for whatever other system is used to include and assessment center.

Assessment centers are both available through the Civil Service system and through outside companies. The centers judge candidates by testing them in real life situations rather than just a written test. Both current acting chiefs voiced in favor of the centers during the task force's research.

The report says once a consultant sets minimum requirements for education, certifications and experience, the city should require all candidates admitted to the assessment center stage be given a "thorough background check" and that the hired candidate be required to sign a contract that outlines the number of years, salary range, benefits and a just cause provision.

From there, a local committee will be formed to weed out resumes through a two-step process for the assessment center.

A committee of community leaders, elected officials and at least one member of the collective bargaining units affected by the hiring will work with the company providing the assessment center to narrow candidates down to three.

Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder. 

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma. 

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024. 

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero. 

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said.