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Some 200 people attended the ceremony.
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Area officials promised to support the group's efforts.
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Mayor Daniel Bianchi talked about the importance of the group.
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State Sen. Benjamin Downing said," this group will help all of us better do our jobs."
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A total of 14 groups make up the new BIO.

Area Religious Groups Join Social Justice Efforts in New Organization

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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The founding organizations celebrated the birth of the new group on Sunday.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Area religious organizations are pooling their resources to help those in need.
 
Fourteen groups celebrated the new Berkshire Interfaith Organizing on Sunday. The new coalition brings the organizations together for charity and advocacy efforts.
 
"I just can't say enough about how important this work is. To be doing this as one body, an interfaith body is so powerful and so profound," said the Rev. Jennifer Gregg, one of the organizers and associate rector at St. Stephen's Episcopal in Pittsfield.
 
At St. Mark's School, the groups celebrated with songs and speeches the creation of the agency. And they received pledges from local legislators to support the work. Particularly, the organization if focusing on food insecurity and transportation.
 
"It's our drive to bring justice to our community that is bringing us together," said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield.
 
Farley-Bouvier joined state Rep. Paul Mark, D-Peru, state Sen. Benjamin Downing, D-Pittsfield, Mayor Daniel Bianchi, and Dan Johnson of U.S. Rep. Richard Neal's office, in pledging their support of the organization. The interfaith group is planning to advocate and support bills that better the community.
 
"We're going to move immediately to action. We'll be setting up meetings with Sen. Ben Downing and our local representatives," Gregg said.
 
The organization has been in the making for two years. The parishes were working independently of each other in most cases; formally collaborating is hoped to give the faith community a greater voice on issues.
 
"This day is the culmination of two years of cultivating those relationships. A lot of work has gone into this day. We have developed leaders who are trained in grassroots organizing. We have listened to stories about what issues are close to our community's hearts. We have identified that hunger and transportation are key issues," the Rev. Mark Longhurst of First Congregational of Williamstown said.
 
According to Gregg, the organization will be overseen by a five-member executive team and every congregation will have two people sitting on an executive board.
 
"Parishes were each working on different issues and involved in social justice in different ways. What if we pooled that all that energy together and turn it into something where we can move as one body?" she said.
 
The founding institutions are Congregation Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, First Church of Christ on Park Square in Pittsfield, First Congregational of Dalton, First Congregational of Williamstown, Lee Congregational, Sisters of St. Joseph, South Congregational in Pittsfield, St. Mark's Parish in Pittsfield, St. Mary of the Assumption in Cheshire, St. John's Episcopal in Williamstown and St. Stephen's Episcopal in Pittsfield.
 
"We made new friends and we connected with old friends. We have made a new relationship with public officials," Longhurst said of Sunday's event.

Tags: clergy,   faith community,   religion,   rights activist,   social justice,   

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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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