PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Public Safety Advisory Committee wants to get working, but needs the mayor to appoint a full board.

 

What was left of the sparse committee met on Monday and said they've been trying to meet with Mayor Linda Tyer about the committee to no avail. They plan to put a written request to meet with her in hopes to get the board together.

 

"We have done it as a request in writing, in an email, in person, and on the telephone," said Chairman Larry Tallman. "There have been several efforts on our part."

 

The group has been trying to get back together for almost a year now. The committee calls for as many as 13 members, but only three members are appointed — one of which hasn't attended a meeting in more than a year — and three others waiting for an appointment.

 

Of the roster listed online, Sheriff Thomas Bowler, Kenneth Wilson, and Katherine Lloyd have all resigned. The terms of Charles Smith, Tallman, and Jerome Edgerton have expired but they are still interested in serving. 

 

"I want to know exactly what our role is so I can start tackling it. I just don't know what to tackle when it is not clear exactly what I should be doing," Edgerton said.

 

William Sturgeon had been appointed but his name has been removed from the roster and he hasn't attended the last two meetings. That leaves just Patrick Muraca, Donald Bercury, and Cheryl Nolan with terms left. Nolan has not attended meetings in a long time.

 

"All we are asking is for the administrative thing of submitting the names to the city council," Smith said.

 

The former Housing Authority director had agreed to stay on the committee as a private citizen and urged the new Director Sharon LeBarnes to join. LeBarnes attended Monday's meeting, willing to participate, but still hasn't been appointed.

 

Bercury and Tallman both said they've contacted the mayor's office multiple times to set up a meeting but one still hasn't been scheduled. Bercury said Muraca does have a list of other names interested in serving on the committee as well. 

 

"We are at a roadblock. We cannot move forward as a committee," Smith said, hoping to at least get those interested in the group appointed. 

 

The committee has had a rocky 2016. It had been the Police Advisory Committee, which was brought back in 2012 under former Mayor Daniel Bianchi. The group consulted on a number of issues from building a new police station to stopping jaywalking at Pittsfield High School to weighing in on new parking fines. 

 

Toward the end of 2015, the purview and scope of the committee expanded. Police Chief Michael Wynn, Fire Chief Robert Czerwinski, Health Director Gina Armstrong, and the mayor met with the group as it sought a new direction in August. The department heads briefed the group on their roles when it comes to public safety and the mayor asked the group to take an advocacy role.

 

"We had a good meeting when she was here ... then it seemed to wane," Tallman said.

 

The committee has a very broad scope but is only advisory in nature. Those looking to participate envision being the place where citizens can bring public safety issues. They'll then research it, determine if there is something to do, and then advise the department head, the City Council, and the mayor about the issue.

 

Smith used the example of fireworks and fielding complaints about those, and then bringing the concerns to the administrators. Or, the health hazard with tires being left out in some places, leading to mosquito concerns. 

 

"We're not going to be everyone's champion but the ones that we can help and do something about, we will try to help," Smith said.

 

Tallman added, "there are a lot of issues we could be approached about." There could also be concerns with the proposed changes to trash collection or with the new parking program.