image description — Mayor Linda Tyer, Stihl Territory Manager Jason Weaver, Carr Hardware co-owner Bart Raser, Pittsfield's Parks and Open Spaces Manager Jim McGrath, Rotary Club President Jeff Hassett, Carr Hardware co-owner Marshall Raser, and Carr Hardware's Director of Marketing Geoffrey Webb.

Carr Hardware Delivers Check For Pittsfield Splash Pad Project

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
11:27AM / Monday, December 18, 2017Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Monday, Carr Hardware did what it said it would do -- donate its recent prize winnings toward building a splash pad at Clapp Park.

The local company has won the "Indie Award" as small business of the year from the business organization Independent We Stand. The prize includes $5,000 cash, which Carr Hardware opted to go toward a splash pad project in partnership with the Rotary Club of Pittsfield.

"It's got fabulous potential to be as good as the Common," Mayor Linda Tyer said of the splash pad, which "is the most popular thing at the Common."

The Rotary Club is looking to spend some $180,000 on the project and the city is looking for a grant from the state to renovate the entire park. The Buddy Pellerin Field Committee is looking to spend another $30,000 on improvements to the park.

Further, Carr Hardware won $1,000 to donate to a local business organization. On Monday, co-owner Bart Raser announced that money will go to Downtown Pittsfield Inc.

Overall, Carr Hardware won some $50,000 worth of prizes. Besides the $5,000 cash prize, the company receives $1,000 for a small-business group of its choosing, $1,000 worth of Stihl equipment certificates, marketing services from Snap Retail, branding, advertising, and public relations assistance from the Meridian Group, three days and two nights at a branding retreat in Virginia Beach, and a plaque to display in the store.

Carr Hardware next year will be entering its 90th year since it was founded and prides itself on being a community partner. It operates stores in Pittsfield, Lee, Great Barrington, and North Adams in Massachusetts, and stores in Avon and Enfield, Conn.

Tags: business award, donations, public parks, Rotary,

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Berkshire Law Enforcement Officials Endorse Fenton for Governor's Council

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:11PM / Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Michael Fenton, a Springfield attorney, ran unsuccessfully for the 8th District seat on the council in 2022. He is challenging incumbent Tara Jacobs of North Adams.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ranking Berkshire law enforcement officials are putting their weight behind a Springfield lawyer for Governor's Council in the September Democratic primary over North Adams incumbent Tara Jacobs.

The Berkshires' District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, Sheriff Thomas Bowler, and Clerk of Courts Lisa Denault-Viale touted Michael Fenton's experience and approach over Jacobs, who bested him and two other attorneys in 2022.

The Governor's Council advises the governor on matters relating to judicial appointments, treasury warrants, pardons and commutations, and a number of other important executive functions. The winner of the primary will represent the 8th District, which covers more than 100 cities and towns including North Adams, Adams, Pittsfield, Greenfield, Northampton and Springfield, as there is no other candidate on the November ballot.

Gathering at Park Square on Wednesday morning, Shugrue said Jacobs does not provide the representation Berkshire County requires and deserves.

"This individual [Fenton] would conduct himself with a great deal of common sense and confidence," Bowler said.

Fenton said there are only 11 Superior Court judges assigned to Western Mass, and that too few of them are from Berkshire County.

"At one time there were four vacancies. That left only seven judges serving the entire 102 cities and towns of the western region. Seven judges serving 102 cities and towns at a time when you add Hampden County, Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee in, at a time when there were over 100 pending murder cases. Seven judges for 100 pending murder cases," he said.

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