PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Nine new firefighters joined the department after graduating from the department's six-week academy.
On Friday, the new firefighters were joined by friends, family, and city officials for a graduation ceremony at Reid Middle School.
The ceremony featured an invocation from the Rev. Peter Gregory, introductory remarks from retired Deputy Chief Michael Polidoro, commentary from Training Capt. Neil Myers, the awarding of certificates from Deputy Chief Mark Cancilla, and closing remarks from Deputy Chief Daniel Garner.
The 2017 recruitment class are Brandon Bailey, Kyle Bailey, Craig Eggleston, Mike Herman, Shawn Leary, Steve Papa, Timothy Sayers, Brendan Shank, and Nick Teti.
Myers said there were some 80 people in attendance including City Council President Peter Marchetti, and Councilors Peter White and Anthony Simonelli. The new firefighters received certificates and were pinned by their families.
The new firefighters were brought onto the department through a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant to the tune of $1,112,864. The grant pays for the salaries and benefits for what is the largest recruiting class in a long time. Once the grant expires, the firefighters will fill vacancies being created through retirements in the coming years.
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Pittsfield Resident Victim of Alleged Murder in Greenfield
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A man found dismembered in a barrel in Greenfield on Monday has been identified as Pittsfield resident.
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office identified victim as Christopher Hairston, 35, and subsequently arrested a suspect, Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 42, at Albany (N.Y.) International Airport on Tuesday.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette reported that Herberger-Brown told investigators he planned on visiting his mother outside the country.
Herberger-Brown was detained overnight, and the State Police obtained an arrest warrant on a single count of murder on Tuesday morning, the Greenfield Police Department said in a press release.
According to a report written by State Police Trooper Blakeley Pottinger, the body was discovered after Greenfield police received reports of a foul odor emitting from the apartment along with a black hatchet to the left of the barrel, the Greenfield Recorder reported.
Investigators discovered Hairston's hand and part of a human torso at Herberger-Brown’s former apartment, located at 92 Chapman St, the news outlet said.
According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Herberger-Brown originally told investigators that he had not been to the apartment in months because he had been in and out of hospitals.
Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
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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.
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Between disagreements about site design and a formal funding process not yet established, more time is needed before a decision can be made.
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The Ordinances and Rules subcommittee on Monday unanimously supported a pay raise for election workers, free downtown parking for veterans, and safeguards to better protect wetlands.
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