Pittsfield Election Concerns Over Jewish Holiday Quashed

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Any concerns over the scheduling the city's preliminary on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, were put to rest on Thursday.

In a statement sent to the media and others, Mayor Daniel Bianchi said it had come to his attention that the Tuesday, Sept. 22, date fell on the Jewish holiday. He forwarded a very brief letter sent to City Clerk Linda Tyer respectfully asking if the date could be changed, calling it "an unfortunate oversight."

Tyer responded by sending the cover letter submitted to the City Council on Jan. 5, 2105, with the order setting the date that outlined her conversations with Rabbi Josh Breindel of Temple Anshe Amunim on rescheduling the regular third Tuesday election date so it didn't conflict with Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 15.

Rabbi David Weiner of Congregation Knesset Israel, also weighed in on the email conversation assuring Bianchi that the matter had been dealt with long ago to everyone's satisfaction and thanking him for his attention to the matter.

Tyer had reached out when the checking the election dates, he wrote. "Both of us got the impression that she was trying to be diligent in scheduling the primary around the Jewish holidays."


Unfortunately, September and early October had several holidays falling on Tuesdays. It was decided to leave the preliminary on Sept. 22 since the Yom Kippur begins on sundown and continues through Wednesday evening.

The timing "would not prevent even the most observant Jewish resident" from voting by 6 p.m., Weiner wrote. "It was wonderful to receive such sensitive, proactive phone calls from a representative of our city government."

In her letter to the council in January, Tyer noted that Sept. 22 "is a regular work day and observances won't begin until sundown."

The council passed the order and the mayor signed it on Jan. 15.

Both Bianchi and Tyer will be on the preliminary ballot for mayor, along with Craig Gaetani and Donna M. Walto.


Tags: election 2015,   preliminary election,   


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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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