PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council held its last meeting of 2019 on Tuesday and said goodbye to four members who will not be returning in 2020.
Before the closing of the meeting, Council President Peter Marchetti thanked Ward 5 Councilor Donna Todd Rivers, Ward 6 Councilor John Krol, Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli, and Councilor at Large Melissa Mazzeo for their service and presented them with a plaque.
"I wish the four of you good luck in your future endeavors," he said.
Marchetti gave each council member a moment to say a few words and Krol, who was elected in 2009, took time to thank his family and constituents.
"This has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of the city of Pittsfield," Krol said. "I think everyone should take the tour in government. My tour was a little bit longer than I anticipated ... I can tell you when I first came to the city I was inspired by the opportunity to truly make the city, we used to say, the greatest small city in the north east."
His seat will be filled by newcomer Dina Guiel Lampiasi
Mazzeo also was elected in 2009 and decided not to seek re-election and instead to run for mayor. She said she never just voted to "follow the crowd" and learned a lot on the council. She added that she learned the importance of knowing that the council's decisions truly do affect people and was thankful for all the friends she has met in her 10 years.
"There were a lot of contentious times ... but I met people throughout my 10 years on the council that today I call great friends," she said. "I really enjoyed those phone calls when you can help someone and they are really appreciative. It makes it all worthwhile."
She added that she looked forward to spending more time with her family and told the remaining councilors to not be surprised if she shows up during public comment.
The other three at-large incumbents were re-elected with newcomer Yuki Cohen taking the seat being vacated by Mazzeo.
Rivers, who stepped down after serving on the council since 2015, said she never really anticipated running for council but thanked the members of her ward who encouraged her.
"I never thought I'd be up here. It was never my intention to run for council and I want to thank my community who many years ago kind of picked me," she said. "I am thankful for those people who saw something in me and thought I could represent them. It has been quite the journey and I have enjoyed it."
Her seat will be filled by newcomer Patrick Kavey
Simonelli, who will step down after serving since 2012, said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family. He also thanked his constituents for their support over the years. He added that he always tried to do the right thing.
"Be your own person. To me it is always more important not to do the correct thing but to do the right thing," he said. "That is what I have stood on."
His seat will be filled by Anthony Maffuccio, who is returning to the council after 10-year absence.
Some of those leaving also imparted some advice for both incoming and re-elected counselors.
"Follow what you truly believe and not worry about political repercussions," Krol said. "Do not worry about how it may look from a political standpoint because we are put here to do what we can for our constituents."
"Good luck and be true to yourself," Mazzeo said. "Keep your oath in mind."
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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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