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Mike Bradley speaks with a child on behalf of Santa.
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Bill and Cori Knowles were dressed for the occasion.
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Amanda O'Connor and Dennis Burke man the lines.
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Shaun McHugh deep in conversation with a child.
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Rita Gomes and Cal Joppreu volunteered for phone duty.
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Becky Manship and Joe Cimini look through the applications.

Santa Claus Calls Pittsfield Children

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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Christina Barrett and Michael Wynn gave up a few hours of their Wednesday night to help Santa Claus get in touch with local children.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Jolly old Saint Nick made phone calls to 80 local children Wednesday night in preparation for his overnight journey next week.
 
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make more than 156 phone calls this year — enlisting volunteers from the city to help out. Eleven volunteers joined him Wednesday night and another 10 from the Knights of Columbus will join him on Thursday.
 
"It is city worker volunteers and community volunteers," said Becky Manship, recreation activities coordinator. "It is one of the fun programs."
 
Wednesday's group of volunteers were a mix of people who've participated before along with some new elves.
 
The city has recruited the Wednesday night group for the last four years after the Elks Club had to stop the program. The Elks still helped out on Wednesday nights and the Knights of Columbus will be there on Thursday night.
 
Each year, parents have an opportunity to sign their kids up to receive the call and share some information about the child's wants or ask Santa to give them a message. Last year, 184 children were called.
 
"We send it home through Pittsfield Public Schools. And the forms are available online or in the clerk's office," Manship said.

Tags: holiday story,   volunteers,   

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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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