2024 Regional Transportation Plan Under Development

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) has begun work on developing the next Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for Berkshire County. 
 
The RTP has a 20-year planning horizon and is updated every four years. The plan serves as the County's overarching transportation planning document and is required to ensure the region remains eligible to receive federal transportation funding. The RTP employs a systematic approach to evaluate the performance of the transportation system, to identify "needs" or deficiencies in the system, and to develop solutions that best address any existing gaps to meet the region's needs.
 
Berkshire County residents are invited to give their input to help develop the RTP.
 
Three public information sessions have been scheduled to provide an opportunity to learn more about the RTP purpose, process, and products. The first will be held at the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield on Wednesday Nov. 2, from 5:30-6:30pm. 
 
The second will be held at the North Adams City Hall on Thursday Nov. 10, from 5:30-6:30pm. The third session will be held on Tuesday Nov. 16, at the Great Barrington firehouse from 5:30-6:30pm. All meetings will also be broadcast live as a
Zoom webinar. Spanish interpretation for these webinars is available by request.
 
 

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Pittsfield Board Suspends Bei Tempi's Liquor License for Underage Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Licensing Board on Monday voted to suspend Bei Tempi's liquor license for five days, determining that it was "more likely than not" that the bar served at least one underage patron alcohol. 

The penalty will begin on July 6. 

"I just think the conventional wisdom would dictate that two minors don't go into a bar on multiple occasions to get juice," board member Jon Lifvergren said, referring to the contents of a glass in video surveillance. 

"It's conceivable, it's possible, but conventional wisdom- just, every fiber of my being is just saying, what's the likelihood of that? That they've been there, from what I understand, on multiple occasions, to have some juice?" 

Earlier this year, Police Capt. Matthew Hill received a call from an upset parent about her 19-year-old daughter patronizing Iztac Mexican Restaurant at night and being served.  Those photos resulted in a two-week liquor license suspension for Iztac, which is now closed, and the same mother submitted an almost identical complaint about Bei Tempi, accompanied by photos.  

At the last hearing, the board watched security footage from the night, around 11 p.m., which does not display the establishment's door or bar, and heard from the patron's mother.  

Attorney Ken Ferris on Monday argued that there isn't enough information to substantiate the claim, specifically that video footage only showed a reddish liquid in a glass held by one of the girls and that they didn't appear to be stumbling. 

He said they were there to dance and not to drink. 

Board member Kathy Amuso said the police wouldn't have brought the incident forward if they didn't feel underage people were drinking. 

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