Letter: Thrill for Taconic to Play State Championship at Wahconah

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To the Editor:

As a high school coach, I cannot begin to describe the emotion and excitement that my players and coaches experienced on Monday during the MIAA D-III state championship at Wahconah Park. The thrill of being able to play the final game in our hometown, on the city-owned historic park, was amazing. To look up at the stands as they began to fill, and to see the faces of people of all ages painted along the fence and deep into the field, resonated with me throughout the day.

It is no small task to get to the state game, but it was an even greater task to perform the way that we did in front of our family, friends, teachers, neighbors, and residents. Truth be told, it was your cheers and clapping, chanting, and demonstration of love and support that rallied our players in the dugout and on the field. Given the many obstacles and challenges that everyone has faced for the past year and a half, it was a great day of baseball and a great day for Pittsfield.


There are many thoughts racing through my mind the day after a state championship, but for now, I will say "thank you." Thank you to the school department for protecting our season, the city for allowing us to play on “their” field, the parents for supporting your sons each and every day, the players for their endless dedication to the sport, the coaches for their tireless work, and finally, the fans, for your love of baseball.

"In baseball as in life, all the important things happen at HOME." In closing, and on behalf of the Taconic High School baseball team, my players, and my full coaching staff, thank you! Go Braves!

Sincerely,

Kevin Stannard
Taconic High School
varsity baseball coach 

Pittsfield, Mass.

 

 

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Pittsfield's DPW Czar Talks Snow Plowing

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Staffing shortages continue to stretch Pittsfield’s public works employees thin during winter storm events.

On Monday, Commissioner of Public Services and Utilities Ricardo Morales updated the Public Works Committee on snow operations. Last winter, snow maintenance and winter overtime were overspent by nearly $1.2 million, and Pittsfield saw a total of 4.77 feet of snow. 

"We place safety over everything else when we do the work we do, and one of those main things is to ensure that we have safe access for emergency vehicles. Then we consider equity, efficiency, and cost control," Morales explained. 

"… We have to do the work we're doing and if the budget is at the end of the day, at the end of the year in the negative, then we have to make sure that we can replenish that by some other means and that's why, very often, almost every year, I have not seen a year where we have not done this, we come back to the City Council to ask for funds to replenish some of the funds spent on snow and ice." 

The region saw more than a foot of snow earlier this year, and it continued to fall on Tuesday. Snow accumulation is significant because of freezing temperatures. 

This winter season to date, 4.5 feet of snow has fallen on Pittsfield, and contractors worked more than 4,000 hours.

Morales cited contractor availability, contractor rates and insurance, staffing shortages, and increasing weather unpredictability as the main challenges for snow removal operations in fiscal year 2025.  Staffing shortages continue in 2026, as the Highway Division has seven vacancies, causing "a major issue" when it comes to maintaining around-the-clock staffing during storms. 

Contractors have been brought in to supplement with larger vehicles, and Deputy Commissioner Jason Murphy and other employees have been plowing while they should be focused on quality control.  Morales pointed out that the city has worked with contractors to provide better pay and insurance standards for this winter season. 

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