McGrath Leads Pittsfield NL in Little League Win

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Kyle McGrath went 4-for-4 Monday to lead the Pittsfield National Little League All-Stars to a 14-4 win over Dalton-Hinsdale in the Donald Gleason District 1 10- to 12-year-old tournament.
 
Ethan O'Donnell earned the win on the mound and helped his cause with a single in the four-inningn game.
 
For Dalton-Hinsdale, Sam McLaughlin doubled and James Rabuse had a pair of hits.
 
Pittsfield AL 13, Great Barrington 0
Jack Reed had three hits, and Jack Abel had a pair of hits for the Pittsfield Americans.
 
Jason Codey tripled, and Aiden Alibozek doubled. Simon Mele earned the win on the mound.
 
Great Barrington got hits from Grayson Beacco and Cian Bose.
 
On Tuesday at Clapp Park, the Pittsfield AL takes on Dalton-Hinsdale. Great Barrington will play Adams-Cheshire at Deming Park.
 
All games are at 5:30.
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Pittsfield Kayak Kiosk Proposal Withdrawn After Pushback

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It is the "end of the road" for a kayak kiosk proposal after pushback from community members and the City Council.

Whenever Watersports has withdrawn its proposal for a kayak rental program at Onota Lake.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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