Pittsfield Civil Service Task Force Agrees To Disagree

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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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.

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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.



A separate, "small committee" will interview the three finalists with the mayor, who makes the ultimate decision and forwards the nominee to the City Council for final approval.

The report, which was unanimously approved, did say that the Civil Service system as is "deprives members of the department of smooth, predictable, timely and efficient and inexpensive testing, promotions and appeals."

"I want to express displeasure with Civil Service," McCarthy said, citing long wait times for getting testing results back, customer service and overall inefficiency. "It is very upsetting."

Green added that nearly every person they talked with about Civil Service expressed frustration with its operations.

"I think it is important for us to express an opinion on the lack of efficiency in the system," Green said.

The union representatives and current acting chiefs agreed that the system isn't functioning perfectly but that it is still a better system to ensure that chiefs are protected from political whims.

Nonetheless, the task force will now submit the final report to Bianchi, calling for permanent chiefs to be appointed "promptly."

"We mean promptly," McCarthy said. "Let's get this done."


Tags: civil service,   police chief,   police, fire,   task force,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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