PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Peter Marchetti has proposed a Lake Management Commission to handle issues with Pittsfield's waterbodies. 

There are two sizable lakes in the city: Onota, which spans 617 acres, and Pontoosuc, which is more than 500 acres. Pontoosuc is shared with the town of Lanesborough, and both communities have residential and commercial properties around the lakes. 

"The Pittsfield Lake Management Commission's mission is to support the preservation and protection of lakes and ponds [from] environmental harm on behalf of present and future generations of Pittsfield residents, while understanding the interests of property owners and the public," the proposed ordinance reads. 

"Its goals are to enhance the water quality of Onota and Pontoosuc lakes, while maintaining the natural beauty of lake surroundings." 

This includes a focus on items such as water quality, the management of invasive weed species, the fall drawdown of water, zebra mussel control, Cyanobacteria monitoring, and the effects of climate change. The goal is to maintain consistently high-quality water levels that the community can enjoy. 

Pittsfield struggled with zebra mussel detections in 2024, as eDNA was detected in both Onota and Pontoosuc lakes. Tuesday's City Council agenda also includes an $18,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation to hire boat ramp monitors over the summer, which helps mitigate the spread of invasive species. 

Also on the volunteer commission's charge is a five-year lake management and financial budget plan for all  Pittsfield waterbodies. 

The commission will seek grants, or local/state funding for periodic evaluations of water quality and the overall ecological health of the lakes.  It will also review issues that could potentially negatively impact the lakes, and make recommendations to the mayor.