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The VFW donated $10,000 toward the purchase of an ice cream truck.

VFW Post 448 Donates 10K To 'Operation Copsicle'

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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VFW Post 448 Commander Arnie Perras presented the check to Officer Darren Derby.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Police Department's efforts to purchase an ice cream truck took a significant step forward on Tuesday with a $10,000 donation from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448.
 
"This Copsicle operation the Police Department has established and trying to get funding for this truck is a very worthwhile cause. That's why the membership voted to contribute $10,000 toward this operation," VFW Commander Arnie Perras said.
 
"They're planning on going around to areas of the city where the youth may be at risk and build friendships."
 
Officer Darren Derby has headed an effort in the last few years to borrow an ice cream truck and deliver treats to area youth. Now he has set his sights on owning a truck for the Police Department to roll out on a regular basis.
 
"Sometimes just that two-second interaction, the handoff of an ice cream, really starts a conversation. It is not going to solve anything right away or by itself, but it takes many different efforts and this is only one of many we are going to implement," Derby said.
 
The effort, dubbed Operation Copsicle, is aimed to build positive relationships between the city's officers and its youth, particularly in areas with high numbers of at-risk youngsters. 
 
Derby said it will cost about $50,000 to purchase a vehicle and retrofit it to become an ice cream truck. He is working with Haddad Motors on the acquisition and with B&G Restaurant Supply on the retrofit. The VFW's donation brings him up to $27,000.
 
"I have a couple more nonprofit donations in the next couple weeks that will substantially boost us," Derby said. "This is our largest donation. We'll hopefully be receiving another one at or below this amount soon."
 
Derby said he's added another item to the project: popcorn and a movie. He said the plans now include not only ice cream but a projector to screen movies on the side of the vehicle.
 
"We have lots of good things to do. The goal, and I haven't let that goal go yet, is July 1 when it would be up and running. Hopefully, in talks with the chief, we can maybe get it in the Fourth of July Parade as a special vehicle," Derby said.
 
The effort has now crossed the halfway point. The city opened a special account at MyCom Credit to accept donations, which can be dropped off there or at the Police Station. With July approaching, Perras hopes the VFW's donation will be followed by others.
 
"We're hoping this will initiate other contributions so they will reach their goal very quickly," Perras said.

Tags: copsicle,   donations,   ice cream,   Pittsfield Police,   VFW,   

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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.

Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.

BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.

The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.

It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.

Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.  

Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street. 

The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.

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