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Michael Comeau's commendation for his efforts with the state police.

State Police Honor Berkshire Mountain Search Team

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Michael Comeau, Stephanie Buzzella and Michael Williamson were all honored for their efforts in the rescue.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Members of the Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue Team were honored recently by the state police for their efforts in finding an 87-year-old man who went missing last year for four days.
 
Stephanie Buzzella, Michael Williamson, and Michael Comeau were given a Commander's Commendation for dedication and actions by the state police in Framingham for their efforts in the October rescue.
 
The volunteer group joined state police in Washington last Oct. 19 to help find the man, who suffers from Alzheimer's. He had been seen leaving his Washington home at 6 p.m. that Friday wearing a windbreaker with blue, gray and orange colors and blue jeans.
 
State troopers used a K-9 unit, and air wing helicopter. The environmental police used an all-terrain vehicle. The Becket Police Department had two officers using thermal imaging cameras. CSX Railway operations were halted so the tracks could be searched but after a full day that Saturday, the man still wasn't located.
 
The next morning, efforts ramped up. Some 50 officers from the state police — including air wing and K9 - environmental police, CSX Railway, and both the Central Massachusetts and Berkshire Mountain search and rescue teams joined the hunt.
 
At 11:35 a.m., the State police helicopter located the man about a third of a mile from his home in a thickly wooded area. Three members of the Berkshire Mountain team and state troopers were guided to the man, who was later treated for dehydration and exposure after being taken out of the woods.
 
The 40-year-old team is a nonprofit organization with volunteers who specialize in search and rescue — from K-9 units to communications — for missing persons throughout the state and region. 

Tags: BMSAR,   missing persons,   search & rescue,   

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Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

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.

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