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Pizzeria to Open in Former Daddyo's Diner on East Street

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The License Board approved a seasonal wine and malt for a new East Street pizzeria.
 
The board approved license last Wednesday for the "Crust" moving into 505 East St., site of the former Daddyo's Diner.
 
"I really thought the application was thorough and I didn't see any issues with it," board member Kathleen Amuso said.
 
"Everything will be made on the premise from the dough to the sauces," owner James Cervone said. "Everything."
 
Cervone said he currently owns the frozen yogurt shop Ayelada next to the proposed pizzeria and he and his wife look to expand their business.
 
They plan to be able to sit 40 people for casual dining and will only serve pizza.
 
Cervone said they do not plan to hire waitstaff but rely on an assembly line where patrons can pick out what they want to eat and then grab a bottle of beer or wine. 
 
"I don't expect it to even be a high-volume item. We thought we might as well apply for the license as we are doing our buildout so we have the option," he said. "We are not even 100 percent if we are going to do this but it is highly likely we will"
 
He said they plan to be open every day from 11 to 9.
 
Chairman Thomas Campoli pointed out that there only a certain amount of seasonal package stores allowed in the city according to the city charter but this quota limitation does not apply to seasonal pouring licenses for which Cervone is applying.
 
"We still have to determine if it is the overall public interest and the overall public good and that is the same analysis we do in respect to any license application," he said. "We consider the nature of the business, the location of the business, the background of the applicant and form that we make a decision."
 
The vote was unanimous.

Tags: license board,   alcohol license,   pizza,   

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Pittsfield Officials: Unlimited Trash Not Sustainable, Toters Offer Cost-Savings

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Unlimited trash pickup is not sustainable and will lead to higher taxes, city officials say.

Mayor Peter Marchetti began public outreach on Monday on the proposed five-year contract with Casella Waste Management for solid waste and recyclables. Older residents packed into the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center for the first of three community meetings.

On the table is a move to automated pickup utilizing 48-gallon toters, which would be at no cost to residents unless they require additional toters and would save the city $80,000 per year.

The goal is to execute a contract by July 1, the start of the fiscal year.

"Trash collection is not free. You're already paying for it as part of your taxes that you pay. In this administration, in this proposal there is no 'I'm looking to create a trash tax,''' Marchetti said, explaining that trash pickup for fiscal year 2025 is around $5.1 million and has doubled since he first served on the council in 2002.

"So we need to find a way to stem the cost of trash."

Some of the seniors praised the new plan while others had concerns, asking questions like "What is going to happen to the trash cans we have now?" "What if I live in rural Pittsfield and have a long driveway?" and "What happens if my toter is stolen?"

"I've lived in a lot of other places and know this is a big innovation that is taking place over the last 20,30 years," one resident said. "It's worked in most places. It's much better than throwing bags of garbage on the side of the road."

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