Flushing of Pittsfield's Water System to Begin Tuesday

Staff Reports 08:00AM / Friday, September 01, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city of Pittsfield's Department of Public Utilities announced flushing of the city's water system will begin Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Water mains throughout the city will be flushed through hydrants over the course of four weeks to remove accumulations of pipeline corrosion products. Mains will be flushed Monday through Friday each week, except holidays, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The upcoming flushing for the week of September 5 may be expected to affect the following areas:
Starting at the town line on Dalton Avenue working west through Coltsville including lower Crane Avenue, Meadowview neighborhood, following Cheshire Road north.
Hubbard Avenue and Downing Parkway.
Starting at the town line on East Street working west through the McIntosh and Parkside neighborhoods.
Elm Street neighborhoods west to the intersection of East Street.
Starting at the town line on Williams Street working west including Mountain Drive, Ann Drive, East New Lenox Road, and Holmes Road neighborhoods.

Although flushing may cause localized discolored water and reduced service pressure conditions in and around the immediate area of flushing, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that proper levels of treatment and disinfections are maintained in the system at all times.

If residents experience discolored water, they should let the water run for a short period to clear it prior to use.

If discolored water or low-pressure conditions persist, please contact the Water Department at (413) 499-9339.

Tags: hydrants,

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Pittsfield Council Approves 2.64% Tax Increase

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:45PM / Wednesday, November 11, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has passed a 2.64 percent tax rate increase that will add about $145 to the average yearly home bill.

On Tuesday, the council unanimously approved a residential tax rate of $17.88 and a commercial, industrial, and personal property tax rate of $37.95. This uses a residential factor of 0.8245 at a shift of 1.75.

The average residential home, valued at $316,792 in FY27, has increased by about $1,500 from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $5,664.24 in yearly taxes. This is a 2.64 percent, or $145.88, increase.

The average commercial property worth $239,600 saw a $100 increase in value from the previous fiscal year, and would pay $9,092.82 in yearly taxes. This is a $255.27, or 2.89 percent, increase from the previous fiscal year.

Councilors pointed out that the tax rate funds the budget, which is set in June, and noted the importance of hearing from constituents during budget season. The national state of the economy was also a topic of discussion.

Councilor at Large Kathleen Amuso said this is always the worst meeting of the year for her.

"Every single household, probably, in the United States is paying more for everything. Everything," she said, explaining that there would have to be a significant decrease in the city budget to see any savings in the tax rate.

"…I think we're trying to be conscientious with what we're spending and how we're spending it, but we are sitting here today. We have to pay for a budget, and it has to be done. It doesn't make it easy. It doesn't feel good, but we have to pay for what we already approved."

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