Pittsfield Woman Named 'Unsung Heroine'

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Kim Bordon of Pittsfield has been named an "Unsung Heroine of 2016."

Bordon was one of 125 women from cities and towns across the state recognized for their outstanding contributions to their organizations and communities. Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women recognizes women who don’t always make the news, but truly make the difference. These Unsung Heroines are women who use their time, talent and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns.

In addition to being recognized on June 22 in a ceremony at the State House in Boston, Borden was also recognized by State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Mayor Linda Tyer at the Pittsfield City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 14. A reception for her family and friends followed.

Bordon serves as a DCF Foster Parent Liaison facilitating the local foster parent support group. She has been a foster parent since 2003, having hosted many placements in her home and ultimately adopted three children, all of whom have special needs. In her role with foster parents she is able to effectively guide other foster parents through the challenges and hurdles associated with being a foster parent.



Bordon’s employment position at the Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority involves working with imminently at-risk, households to ensure that they are prevented from becoming homeless.

“She is doing outstanding work in this role. Kim’s understanding and knowledge of housing and homelessness dynamics as well as domestic violence issues are second to none," said Brad Gordon, Bordon’s supervisor. "She has an amazing ability to develop effective collaborations with every conceivable community resource, which provides tremendous benefit to the households she works with. She is truly one of the most empathetic, intelligent, relatable, hard-working, and kind individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Clearly, there could not be a more deserving candidate for this award.”

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The MCSW provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts. For more information on the MCSW, contact 617-626-6520 or mcsw@state.ma.us.

 


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Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

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