PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Musician and real estate broker William "Billy" Keane is mounting a bid for a seat on the City Council.
Keane took out papers on Monday to challenge incumbent Donna Todd Rivers. Keane is the managing broker for his family's business, Jan Perry Realty & Associates, and a local musician.
"I believe Pittsfield is on the cusp of achieving a level of economic and cultural success that we deserve and should reach for as the 'Capitol of the Berkshires,'" Keane wrote in an announcement on Monday.
"But in order to get there we need a spirit of positive motivation, enthusiasm, and a willingness to work together towards a common goal; I believe I can offer that to the council."
Keane is focusing on his experience as a small business owner and as a member of the Berkshire County Board of Realtors. He hopes to help the city explore ways to further support local businesses.
He is also a singer-songwriter who has performed throughout the county. He believes arts and culture can be a foundation for the city's future success.
"I believe that maintaining the infrastructure of our city does not end with the important tasks of filling potholes and plowing roads, but also includes supporting our local businesses as well as our cultural and artistic foundations," Keane wrote.
"I don't believe in importing success. I believe that Pittsfield's future lies within the facets of the city that already exist. It is by supporting our business and artistic communities and by helping them achieve positive growth and prosperity that Pittsfield as a whole will thrive as well."
Keane and his wife, Waterfall, own two homes and live in Ward 5 with a dog and a cat.
Nomination papers became available Monday morning. So far 14 candidates took out papers to run for City Council. Rivers had not taken out papers on the first day and hasn't said whether or not she plans to seek re-election.
Rivers won the seat in 2015 by just 12 votes over Richard Scapin. A recount was needed to confirm her victory. She succeeded former Councilor Jonathan Lothrop, who opted not to run for re-election.
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Pittsfield Kayak Kiosk Proposal Withdrawn After Pushback
Whenever Watersports has withdrawn its proposal for a kayak rental program at Onota Lake. Safety concerns arose around the company's self-serve model though it was stipulated that users sign liabilities away with a waiver as part of the process.
"It's unfortunate. I had hoped the outcome would be different and I think (Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Maddy Brown) and you as well thought this was an opportunity to provide an additional level of services, recreation opportunity to folks at the park through a modern-app-based system," Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath said to the Parks Commission on Tuesday.
"It would have cost the city nothing to have this sited. We wouldn't be responsible for any maintenance but there would be maintenance to the units and to the boats, etc. Everyone was going to get life preservers and there are instructions through the app so we thought it was it was safe and secure and a good fit for the park."
In December, the commission granted a request for the pilot program and City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta had been reviewing and revising a proposed contract that had not yet been approved. Last week during City Council, residents Daniel Miraglia and Gene Nadeau submitted a petition requesting a legal opinion on the proposal from the solicitor.
Miraglia expressed concerns about the lack of a bidding process, safety hazards, and the impact on a local business that rents kayaks on the lake. Onota Boat Livery owner Caryn Wendling was upset to hear that an out-of-town company would be allowed to operate the kiosk on the same lake as her business and also cited safety concerns.
Councilors asked that Pagnotta look into items such as the commission's authority with entering into contracts and if a bidding process would be needed for this.
Later that week, a request to the Conservation Commission for determination for the kiosk at Burbank Park located within the buffer zone associated with the inland bank was withdrawn. According to the application, it was proposed to be located before the beach area coming from the main parking lot.
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