Pittsfield Asked To Restrict Smoking In Parks

Tyson Edwards has asked the city to ban smoking in parks.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A resident is petitioning the city to tighten up smoking regulations in city parks.

Tyson Edwards filed the petition to completely ban people from smoking in city parks.

On Tuesday, the City Council referred the petition to the Board of Health for further consideration.

Edwards' told the council that similar bans have been effective in much larger cities, so one would work here.

"A lot of times you will see kids run through a cloud of smoke," Edwards. "People won't move away from the park to smoke."

He said many of his neighbors agree but none have come forward to address the issue. So he decided he would.

Edwards added that he isn't against smoking in general, but he is concerned the secondhand smoke the children are inhaling.

However, resident Alex Blumin has a different view. Smokers are taxpayers, too, he said, so banning them from smoking on public land is wrong.

North Adams banned smoking in its parks and other public places nearly two years ago.

Meanwhile, Ward 6 Councilor John Krol is requesting the Tri-Town Health Department to give the city updates on tobacco awareness programs and strategies to reduce access to minors. That petition was referred to the committee on public health and safety.

Blumin opposed that as well.

"We don't need lectures from him. We've got a very good Board of Health," he said, referring to Tri-town director James Wilusz. "We don't need somebody from Tri-town to come and lecture us."

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.