Zion Lutheran Church is solidifying its relationship with its neighbor of a century and a half.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — In a show of solidarity with its next door neighbor, Zion Lutheran Church will for the first time hold its longtime annual picnic in the adjacent downtown park, which will still be in peak construction in the final phases of its multimillion dollar renovation.
"The church has a longtime history of holding some sort of picnic event in September to coincide with the start of the school year," the Rev. Timothy Weisman told the Parks Commission this past week. "With the wonderful renovation work that's happening at Pittsfield Common, and the fact that we've been next door to one another for 154 years, it seems like as good a time as any to have that picnic right in downtown Pittsfield."
The Sept. 7 picnic will be the first formal event held in the Common since it began renovation three summers ago, though it has rarely been empty of activity throughout the construction process.
Parks and Open Spaces Manager James McGrath said the Great Lawn area where the picnic will be held, along with its playground area, remain open and fully accessible.
"Our contractors have been really great about sectioning off where they work," according to McGrath, who told the Parks Commission on Tuesday he could not foresee any issues with such an event being held.
"We don't need much space," said Weisman. "It's a very simple event, but just to be able to have that here instead of trucking it off somewhere, I think is a big statement in support of the park and in support of our downtown community."
"Hopefully, it's the first of many great events there," said Chairman Dr. John Hermann.
The Common is currently undergoing Phases 3 and 4 of planned redesign simultaneously, and McGrath reports that all major facets of the remaining work are currently underway, including the performance pavilion, gazebo, basketball court, and sprinkler sprayground, and a bathroom structure.
"We're in good shape with the project," said McGrath, "We continue to be on schedule and within budget."
McGrath said the city is currently working with Western Massachusetts Electric Co., Verizon and Time Warner to have them reroute existing overhead lines underground, in compliance from a suggestion made by Gov. Deval Patrick during his visit to the site, but that most of the cost of this was being absorbed by those utility companies.
"I think overall the appearance of the park will be improved, without poles and overhead wires," McGrath added.
The renovation is expected to be principally completed by early November, with some finalizing in the spring.
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Dalton Select Board Argues Over Sidewalk Article
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — A heated discussion concerning sidewalks during Monday night's Select Board meeting resulted in the acting chair calling a recess to cool the situation.
The debate stemmed from the two articles on the town meeting warrant for May 6 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School.
One proposes purchasing a sidewalk paver for $64,000 so sidewalks can be paved or repaired for less money, but they will use asphalt rather than concrete. The other would amend the town's bylaws to mandate the use of concrete for all future sidewalks.
The article on concrete sidewalks was added to the warrant through a citizen petition led by resident Todd Logan.
The board was determining whether to recommend the article when member John Boyle took the conversation in a new direction by addressing how the petition was brought about.
"I just have a comment about this whole procedure. I'm very disappointed in the fact that you [Logan] have been working, lobbying various groups and implementing this plan and filed this petition six weeks ago. You never had any respect for the Select Board and …" Boyle said.
Before Boyle could finish his statement, which was directed to Logan, who was in the audience, Chair Joe Diver called point of order via Zoom.
Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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A parking study of North Street will be presented at Tuesday's City Council meeting. The design maintains parallel parking while expanding pedestrian zones and adding protected bike lanes. click for more
Amy Schirmer was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for creating a weekly therapeutic art class at the George B. Crane Center to help those in recovery from substance use. click for more