PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City government wants to engage residents more and will launch a 10-week "citizens academy" to learn about how local government works.
The program is headed by the mayor's Executive Assistant Catherine Van Bramer. She said the program, starting in September, will bring a group of up to 20 citizens together for two-hour sessions to really get to know various aspects of government.
"Many times when we are talking to residents in the community we often find ourselves helping them navigate their government. We help them understand a variety of things. We help them learn how to report a streetlight out. How they obtain a birth certificate. How they have potholes filled. How they find out what activities are happening. How to start a new business or how to expand an existing one," Van Bramer said.
"The citizens academy is a way we can provide residents with an inside perspective into what local government is and an example of what we do on a daily basis."
Each session from 6 to 8 p.m. will focus on different departments. Van Bramer and a department head will essentially teach the class all about the services and work that department does. Van Bramer said the goals of the academy is to create stronger connections with residents, enhance the community's understanding of the services offered, increase participation in local government, and get more volunteers involved.
Applications will be available on June 1 and the deadline to apply is June 29. Van Bramer came up with the idea after going to a Massachusetts Municipal Association conference in which other communities had provided a similar program.
"It is our hope to hold a citizens academy in Pittsfield on an annual basis," Van Bramer said.
At this point, she isn't sure how many people will want to participate. She hopes that there is more interest than the 20 spots available and if so, she would then develop criteria for who is chosen. Those who aren't selected will fall onto a waiting list to participate in the next one.
"I want to have a diverse range, age, gender, background. I want to make sure we're not particularly concentrating on one audience," Van Bramer said.
The plan got rave reviews from the City Council.
"I think it is great, anything we can do to engage our residents in government more," said Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi.
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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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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.
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